Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

A New Challenge + Protein Powder Review

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A new fitness goal has been set.

The magazines I tend to read are full of health and fitness advice.  One such mag is Muscle & Fitness Hers.  they feature some great workouts, but my favorite parts are always about the figure competitors.  The ladies in those competitions blow me away – they are smaller and less and vascular than bodybuilders, but have a physically fit/well-balanced physique.  Getting to that level of health has long been a dream for me.

Last week I took action to reach that goal.  I joined and gym and hired a trainer to help ready me for a competition. 8 days (and a chunk of money) later, I’m on my way with a custom workout schedule, a diet plan, and a whole lot of support and encouragement.

I’d met with trainers before, but after talking to this gym I knew it was the perfect fit.  Despite the fact that it’s 30 miles away.  House of Payne is a serious gym – none of the “see and be seen” BS.  They offer everything I need from training to posing classes!

My first workout with the trainer was legs and butt last Monday.  I wasn’t able to lower myself to the toilet without a firm grasp on the counter until Friday.  Good workout, no?

One of the most challenging things about training is the food.  In addition to not being allowed booze (*whimper*),  I am aiming to get 150g of protein a day over the course of 7 meals (basically, I eat ALL the time).  I have to gain weight and some serious muscle!  This is especially difficult on a vegetarian diet – it involves a ton of Greek yogurt, egg whites, cottage cheese, beans, tofu, and tempeh.  The heavy rotation of dairy, beans, and soy gets old, so look forward to a couple of protein powder creations each day.

Which brings me to the next topic – the loot I returned home to after the Chile trip!

I thought it was Christmas in July… errr… June

I was given the opportunity to sample and review a variety of GNC and Vega protein products through  Fitfluential!  If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I have always been a stickler for getting my post-workout 20g protein in to build muscle and aid in recovery.  Protein shakes are a great way to do that – especially if you find it hard to eat solid foods after a hard workout (like me).

Below is the line up of powders I received, pics and some quick thoughts.  I made them ALL into green smoothies with spinach and banana for 2 reasons.

  1. 80% of the time I ingest my protein powder in green smoothie-form, and
  2. I wanted to “test” them all with the same base (fair and balanced!)

The Smoothie Base Recipe:

  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 C spinach
  • 1/2 large Banana
  • 1/2 in piece fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (or 1 4-5 inch cinnamon stick)
  • 1/4 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 7-8 drops vanilla liquid stevia
  • Ice

1. GNC Casein – Vanilla flavor:

Slow digesting, making it perfect between meals or before bed for overnight muscle repair.

I am a big fan of casein; however, this one is a bit gummy/slimy.  I even tried the smoothie sans spinach to see if it would help the texture.  Notsomuch.  The flavor is great, and I do think having it in a smoothie at night contributed to my being able to getting out of bed in the morning.

2. GNC Egg – Chocolate flavor: 

Great for breakfast, and for the lactose intolerant; consume just before or after workouts.

This one is a favorite.  I’d never tried an egg protein powder before, and I really expected it to be slimy too.   Quite the opposite!  Great texture and a natural-tasting chocolate flavor.

3. GNC Whey – Vanilla flavor: 

Fast absorbing; consume just before or after workouts.

This one also has a great texture when blended in a smoothie.  You can tell it’s a “protein powder vanilla” flavor.  I’m totally used to it, but if you’re new to powder it can take some adjusting.  Add a cap of vanilla or almond extract and it will be just fine.  I also tried it mixed with water just for fun… and remembered why I always make smoothies.

4. GNC Soy – Chocolate flavor:

A plant-based protein; good pre-or post-workout, or as a snack throughout the day.

I’m a sucker for chocolate.  This made an awesome midnight snack while I laid on the couch lamenting my sore glutes.

5. Vega – Vanilla flavor:

Another plant-based protein; within 30-90 minutes of working out, or to recharge/repair.

This was my #1 vanilla-flavored pick.  The plant-based powders tends to taste a bit more natural to me.  I had tried Vega a couple of years ago and didn’t care for it  – their new formula is awesome though!  Perfect texture and just the right amount of vanilla flavor.  One warning – if you are sensitive to salt, it is a bit on the salty side.

These products were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are my own.  Like I could ever keep them to myself.

Thank you again to GNC, Vega and Fitfluential for the opportunity!

***

20-25g pf protein per meal is hard… but I already notice a difference!  Now I just need a sponsor… anyone? 😉

Have you ever tried to amp up the protein on a veggie diet?  Any new ideas are welcome and appreciated! 

What is your favorite protein powder?

Zombies are Coming + WIAW

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Zombies have taken over the South.

Well, the idea of zombies has.  Seriously – zombies are “cool” now.  Clearly I am not cool because I don’t get it.  They taped an episode of some zombie TV show outside of my office a few months ago, people are all about zombie movies… and today I saw this while driving:

If they are coming, at least I was behind a Zombie Apocalypse Response Vehicle.

Time for something I DO understand: What I Ate Wednesday.  How about a zombie themed WIAW next, Jenn?

Check out my eats below; then click here to hop on to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to see what everyone else ate Wednesday!

Breakfast:

I had an appointment with a trainer later in the afternoon, so this morning I skipped over my traditional protein smoothie in favor of the last Pumpkin Zucchini Muffin in my freezer.

I topped it with a peanut icing (peanut flour, almond milk, and cinnamon), and enjoyed it with Banana Cream Pie yogurt… which I stirred more peanut flour and cinnamon into.  Nom.

Lunch:

Total salad porn.  It tasted just as decadent as it looks.

In my salad:

  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Tomato
  • Sprouted adzuki beans
  • Cashew pieces
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Local, farm-fresh runny egg

Dinner:

After the first Italian Baked Broccoli Slaw win, I had to try it again.

This one was similar, but I used a few different veggies.  I think I like this even better!  The red onion was the perfect addition.  Other additions:

  • 1/2 package broccoli slaw
  • Portobello mushroom
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Zucchini
  • Radishes
  • Red onion
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Herbs de Provence
  • 1 C roasted garlic marinara sauce
 I just realized how weird that combo sounds… but really, what isn’t good when slathered in marinara sauce?

Snacks:

It was a snack-y day.  This may not look like much, but check out my lunch and dinner.  You better believe I snacked on all those veggies while I was chopping them for each meal.

Clockwise from the top left: Sweet Potato Pie Protein Shake (in a bowl with a cherry on top), watermelon (the first perfect one of the season!), Fitmixer Berry BCAA Powder mixed in water, carrot sticks, and a new late-night muffin creation (recipe to come).

***

Needless to say, I just got carried away stocked up at the Farmer’s Market.  You would think I had a family of 5 with all the veggies in my fridge.

Are zombies “in” where you live?  Do you get it?

What is the best thing you ate this Wednesday?

Sausage Making: Seitan Chorizo

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No, this isn’t a turd:

Homemade Seitan Chorizo

It’s my seitan chorizo.

I love chorizo.  The spicier, the better.  When I quit eating red meat, it this spicy sausage was one of the things I continued to crave.  I do eat meat on occasion now; however, I discovered that meat alternatives can be just as good.

Making Homemade Seitan Chorizo

Sausage “batter”

The ingredient list is long, but the spices come together quickly.  It probably seems like a lot of heat but after you mix it in the with other ingredients, it tones down a lot.  I would actually increase the amounts next time.  This was child-level spice.

Vital Wheat Gluten is the protein found in wheat.  It is the base for seitan, and can easily ordered online or found at most heath food stores.

Making Homemade Seitan Chorizo

When you wrap them to bake, be careful not to get them too tight.   It’s all fun and games until sausage explodes in your oven.

They should look like those wrapped sausages you see at the fair.

Homemade Seitan Chorizo

This seitan version of chorizo is just as good as the “real” thing.  I actually prefer it because it isn’t so greasy.  Not to mention the nutritionals are a million times better.

A serving of meat chorizo has about 23g of fat and 9g saturated fat.  This deliciousness only contains 1.4g of fat and 0.1g of saturated fat!  Not to mention the 20g of protein.

Homemade Seitan Chorizo

I’ve been eating it on salads at work all week, but last night I made a little Mexican breakfast for dinner.

It took all my willpower not to make a second helping.  

Homemade Seitan Chorizo

Mashed avocado on English muffin, sautéed spinach and tomatoes, a runny egg, and chorizo seitan.  Topped with cilantro, red pepper flakes, and white truffle salt.

In conclusion:  Don’t be scared.  Try my sausage.


[tasty-recipe id=”18066″]

 

***

Thank you all so much for the supportive comments yesterday regarding my ACL tear.  I was pretty down about it and you all made me feel more hopeful.

What is your favorite non-meat “meat” creation?

Does anyone know how to correctly pronounce “seitan” – is it like the devil?

BENGAY Zero Degrees + Lots ‘o Legs

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Injuries and soreness aren’t fun.

Lately it seems like I can’t stay well (thank you, knees), so I was particularly excited when BENGAY contacted me to review their new Zero Degrees product.

What makes it so cool?  It literally IS cool.  According to their literature it is “the first and only topical pain reliever tha can be stored in the freezer, combining the instant sensation of ice with the long-lasting, trusted pain relief of BENGAY GEL.”

This weekend was fun, but pretty strenuous on my body.  If you’ve been reading for a while, you may know that I’ve had some trouble with my knee for the past few months.  I was in serious need of BENGAY Zero Degrees after a 7 mile hike Saturday followed up by a 3 mile run and 2 softball games on Sunday… and one lovely strawberry on my toosh:

No, I didn’t put BENGAY on my open wound (NOT a good idea).  I DID slather it all over my aching knees after spending some QT with bags of frozen peas.

I loved that BENGAY Zero Degrees comes in a deoderant-like stick, making it easy to apply – no sticky hands or pain when you forget and stick you finger in your eye.  Another plus is that it doesn’t stink like most other products out there.  My knees may make me feel like a granny, but I don’t need to smell like a granny too!

BENGAY has offered to send one of these cool Zero Degrees sticks along with some other fun goodies (I received a tote bag, hair ties, a workout towel, and Karina Smirnoff’s dance-inspired workout DVD) to TWO readers!

Receive up to 4 entries by:

  1. Subscribe to the Sprint 2 the Table RSS feed or email
  2. Tweet: You could say something like: I entered to win 1 of 2 BENGAY Zero Degrees prize bags in the @sprint2thetable giveaway: http://wp.me/p16jDn-1hS  #giveaway #fitness
  3. Be Social: Twitter Follow me, Pinterest Follow Me and/or Pin Something of Mine, Instagram Follow Me
  4. Comment: What do you do to help your body recover?

 

Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, May 24th.  The winner will be announced on Friday, May 25th.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This week’s recap should explain why I need that BENGAY!  🙂

I’ve been incorporating more plyo/active rest into my weight workouts.  It’s made a big difference in my appetite!  I feel like I’m getting more out of my workouts and I’m craving protein like a caveman.  Still not going too big on the meat, but I’m killin’ some protein shake creations.  After Sundays games in 85 degree temps and direct sunlight I couldn’t get to the blender fast enough!

Put me in coach!

Workout Recap (5/7 – 5/13):

***

I just realized this post is filled with pics of my legs from various angles.  I love an unexpected “leg day.”

What is the last injury you had?

What is the best workout you’ve had lately?

Five is for Friday

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It’s been a crazy, crazy week. 

Here are 5 things I’ve been meaning to share with you, but just ran outta time…

1. Blend Retreat Recap Round-Up

The hardworking organizers have collected all of our recaps (click here for mine) on the Blend Retreat in Boulder, CO!  Check them all out by clicking here.  There are some great ladies in this group  you might just discover a new favorite blog. 🙂

2. Protein Peanut Butter Sauce

I’ve been using peanut flour to slather my baked (errr… frozen….) goods lately.  It’s also good by the spoonful.  Not that I would know.

Protein Peanut Butter Sauce

  • 1 T peanut flour
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 C almond milk
  • 1/4 tsp maple extract (or syrup, to your liking)
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional, I just love cinnamon)
  • 1-2 drops liquid Stevia
  • Shake of salt
Mix it together and pour it over the treat of your choice!

3. Coconut Noodles

One more Food & Wine Festival mention then I swear I’ll shut up.

Saturday I attended a session with Bryan Voltaggio (remember Bryan and his brother, Micheal, from Top Chef?).  they have a restaurant in Maryland called Volt.  If I’m ever in the ‘hood, I will be sure to stop by this place.  Dude made a funked-up version of strawberry short-cake.  He MICROWAVED the cake (I thought only bloggers did that?!).  Then he made a granola with strawberry puree and a mini ice cream-coconut doughnut with dry ice… but the coolest part…

He made noodles from coconut and agar agar using syringe and a piece of piping!  Check out the noodle-pushing-through-a-syringe shot in the top right pic below.

It’s things like this that warrant the glowing praise our fest received from Josh Ozersky of TIME and Every Day with Rachel Ray:

“There are a lot of food festivals these days. There is a very classy one in Aspen; there is a rocking one in South Beach… having just got back from Atlanta, I am ready to say that there is only one indispensable event, and that is it. The reason is obvious: the south is the new capital of gastronomy in America.”

4. I have an addiction.  

I wasn’t home long enough to warrant a full grocery store trip (I’m actually writing this from the Sky Club right now), but I HAD to stop to buy this mid-week: 

 

Green smoothies are my crack.  And that’s not whack.

5. Stand up and WALK!

Lastly, this is the article I will use to convince my boss I need a walking desk.

Source: Treatment Online

Gretchen Reynolds, the New York Times Phys Ed columnist recently published a book, The First 20 Minutes, about the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

The previously recommend 30 minutes of exercise per day may not be enough to ward off the dangers of sitting on your arse at a desk all day.

Reynolds says “Sitting for long periods of time… tends to cause changes physiologically within your muscles.  You stop breaking up fat in your bloodstream, you start getting accumulations of fat.”

She suggests that you make it a goal to stand for two minutes every 20 minutes that you’re chained to a desk.  Studies have shown that merely standing can have an impact on how your body responds physiologically, even decreasing your chances of getting diabetes!

***

I’m excited for sleeping in, a hike date, and 2 softball games this weekend!

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Do you have a sedentary job?  How do you combat the effects?

Cocoa Krispies Protein Pudding + WIAW

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This is what I came home to:

 

 

Apparently my hot water heater went bad while I was at work and leaked all over my floor and down the wall of the unit below mine.  Lovely.

Soooo… I was going to have a recipe for you today, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.

 

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons is making me smile through my check-writing sadness with her What I Ate Wednesday.

 

Check out my eats below; then click here to see what everyone else enjoyed for WIAW.

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Breakfast:

I made a smoothie.  It was green…

The flavor was Strawberry-Basil.  I wouldn’t recommend it.  In fact, I didn’t even take a pic.  Last week’s Banana-Maple-Ginger was much better:

 

 

Lunch:

Clearly I’m addicted to collard green wraps… but this week’s was different!  I used a Mexican-inspired hummus in it!  That hummus is the recipe that was coming today but will instead come tomorrow.  The flood took away my picture-taking light.

 

 

My co-workers and I took out lunch outside.  They appeared skeptical of my “wrap,” but I offered a bite and it was met with a reasonable amount of approval. 🙂

 

Snacks:

I have discovered I like to eat constantly throughout the day.  I snacked it up all afternoon.  Unpictured are some cashews, pineapple, and my daily kombucha.

Pictures below is cottage cheese with nuts, apple, lavar, and some rice cakes.

 

Dinner:

I had a fancier plan, but the flood changed it… however, this lentil salad wasn’t bad for a late dinner in a hurry!

 

 

In the mix was French green lentils, pepper jack Daiya cheese, broccoli sprouts, beets, shallots, celery, olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and S&P.  Translation: I scavenged my fridge.

 

Dessert:

This was seriously the highlight of my day.  The picture doesn’t look like much, but let me assure you… this was hard-core deliciousness.  It tasted like one of my favorite childhood cereals – Cocoa Krispies.

 

Cocoa Krispies Protein Pudding

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 T chia seeds
  • 1 T carob powder
  • 1/4 C cereal
  • 3/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 6-7 drops vanilla stevia
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

 

Mix together all ingredients in a bowl, pressing down slightly to break up cereal a bit.  Place in fridge for 15-20 minutes to allow liquid to soak in.

Remove from fridge, stir, and devour.

***

Thank you all so much for the comments about my tattoo yesterday.  It is a really special piece to me. 🙂

Who do you call when things break at your house?  I had a moment of panic wondering what my next move should be!

What was your favorite childhood cereal? 

***

Don’t forget – click here to enter to win May’s healthy snack box in the NatureBox giveaway!

Friday, For the Win

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Friday in general is a win, but there were so many this week…

There are the NuNaturals giveaway winners to announce… at the end of this post. 🙂  (Yes, I realize you can simply scroll down.)

1. Grain-Free, Sugar-Free Cookie for 1

This brilliance was found here on Avi’s blog.  I made it Thursday night and thought I’d gone to heaven.  Of course, I added sugar with the dark chocolate M&Ms. 🙂

My modifications:

  • Reduced coconut oil to 1 tsp
  • Added 2 T unsweetened almond milk
  • Replaced the banana with 5 drops of vanilla liquid Stevia
  • Dark chocolate M&Ms 

2. Raw Thai Pineapple Parsnip “Rice”

This was a huge win!  This unusual (yet easy) recipe can be found here on Janet’s blog.  My only modifications were to add cilantro and a bit of sriracha.

3. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Cottage Cheese

You know when you feel snacky, but you’re not sure if you want something sweet or salty?  I found the perfect solution yesterday. 

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Cottage Cheese

I am told this sounds like a weird combo.  It’s not – this is a delicious combo.  Not unlike the combo below…

4. Stuft Mama’s Protein Pumpkin Cookie Dough

How did it take me soooo long to make this?!  It’s amazing.  Doh.

Do not – I repeat – DO NOT skip the PB on top.  It’s sends the whole thing over the edge.

5. NUNATURALS WINNERS!!!

The following 4 ladies won NuNaturals Orange and Lemon Liquid Stevias.  Please send me an email with your info so we can get those out to you ASAP!

  1. Heather @ Better with Veggies
  2. Carah
  3. Lena @ Lena on the Beach
  4. Anuradha @ Baker Street

***

This is the weekend… I’m getting a tattoo tomorrow!!!

Do you have tattoos? What/where?

What’s the best blogger recipe you’ve tried lately?

Home Brewing + WIAW

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I drink a lot…

 

 

…of KOMBUCHA!

At $3 a bottle, it’s an expensive habit.  When Stacy Tweeted to tell me about a deal on OpenSky (click for invite!) for a Kombucha Home Brewing Kit  from Kombucha Brooklyn I jumped at the opportunity.

 

 

My kit came with a jar, tea bags, sugar, and my very own scoby.  The instructions were idiot-proof easy to understand… with very little effort I’m 14-28 days away from home-brewed kombucha!*

*I fully realize that you can brew Komubcha without buying a kit.  Still, $30-something to get started is still less than what I spend on the stuff at Whole Foods.  And I actually DID it.

 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Two weeks ago marked the beginning of the Green Giant Veg Pledge to add an additional cup of veggies to my daily eats.  Despite some terrible food choices over the weekend (french fries happened… I can’t say I regret it), I’m back on track this week and greening it up with everyone for What I Ate Wednesday!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons is hosting  What I Ate Wednesday  this month in the theme of veggies:

 

 

Check out my veggies below; then click here to see how everyone else incorporated extra servings.

 

 

Breakfast:

After a quick tabata-style workout found on Pinterest, I needed to cool down before getting in the shower.  Don’t you hate when you’re still sweating AFTER getting out of the shower?

 

I slurped down up a little Liquid Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie topped with hemp seeds while I got a head start on work email.

 

Lunch:

Massive collard greens are everywhere in Georgia grocery stores.  Traditional Southerners cook them with things like ham hocks.

Not me!  I use the greens as raw taco shells!

 

I filled my “tacos” with raw asparagus, carrots, celery, cucumbers, red pepper flakes, and a massive amount of my new favorite hummus.  The spinach-flavored hummus is made by a company called Roots.  Not sure how widely available it is, but I found this a Whole Foods. The rest of the container was enjoyed with some Sesame Wasa crackers on the side.

 

Snacks:

Unpictured was the daily Kombucha, a piece of dark chocolate, and handful of cashews.

An apple with peanut butter and a surprise from Nature Box did make it for a photo shoot:
 
I really loved the Smokey Pepitas and Dried Pears.  More to come on this awesome company later! 

 

Dinner:

Baked is my favorite way to do tofu.  The outside gets all crunchy and the inside becomes marshmallow-fluffy.

Tonight’s dinner was a Baked Sesame Tofu with lemon roasted asparagus and an heirloom tomato.

Tomato season has arrived down South!  That was the sweetest tomato I think I’ve ever had.  I made the mistake of cutting the tomato too early… only 2 little slices remained to go with dinner.

What was left of my tom was delicious with the light spice and nuttiness of the tofu marinade.  Recipe to come tomorrow!

 

 

Dessert:

It was a healthy post workout dessert – a chocolate protein shake topped with cereal.  Packed with spinach, of course.

 

***

I can’t believe I didn’t like tomatoes until a couple of years ago.

How are you doing with the Veg Pledge?  Have you been incorporating an extra veggie serving each day?

Have you ever brewed your own Kombucha?  How about beer?

 

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