Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Black Cherry Breakfast “Soup”

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3 more days!!!

This week is creeping by… yet flying at the same time because I have SO much to do.

Not the least of which is formatting some rockin’ guest posts.  Hopefully you guys will discover some new bloggers and gain so fantastic info from these guest spots.  All of these lades and gents offer something special and unique!

My lofty goal is to post every other day.  Wi-fi may be sketchy and we are going to be on the move quite a lot, so I’m being realistic at the same time.

 

One of my other lofty goals is to use everything in my kitchen this week.  My challenge to myself is to not buy even the smallest thing at the grocery store.  It’s much harder than it looks!

The color of today’s breakfast almost made the title this post “Food No One Will Steal From the Office Fridge.”  The fact that it is too long a title is the only thing that held me back.

 

I used a new product – Sunrich’s Sunflower Seed Milk.  Sounds exciting, right?

To be honest… it tastes a bit like Milk of Magnesia on its own.

Mixing it in smoothies and oats hides that taste.  I still wouldn’t buy it again.

 

The “soup” does taste good!  Much better than the color would indicate.  🙂

I love cherries and with the creamy texture the banana adds it makes for a fantastic soup.  Why not just drink it like a smoothie?  Because eating it with a spoon for breakfast seemed like more fun!

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Black Cherry Breakfast Soup

  • 1/2 C black cherries
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 C milk (or milk substitute)
  • 1 C fresh spinach
  • 1 T chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 large banana
  • 5-6 drops NuNaturals Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia
  • shake of guar gum (thickener)
  • Ice/water, to taste

 

Throw it all in your blender/Bullet/Vitamix and blend until smooth.  Pour into a bowl and top with your favorites – nut butter, granola, cereal, muffins… whatever you crave!

Enjoy!

***

Thank you to everyone for the sweet hair compliments – you guys made my day! 🙂

What’s your favorite milk substitute?  Or do you prefer the real thing?

Do you try to use everything in your fridge before trips?

 

Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats

By

Cinnabon.

Can’t you almost smell it through your screen?

That smell kills me when I’m walking through Terminal A in the Atlanta airport.  It’s absolutely intoxicating… and all I can do not to stop and order a dozen cinnamon rolls.

I nearly attacked the man behind me last night… he brought one on the plane and didn’t offer a bite.  Cruel.

The only thing that saved this man’s life is the fact that I’d had Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats for breakfast.  Post-run.

Cinnamon Roll Extract was the discovery of a lifetime.  I found the teeny bottle (seriously – this pic is true to size) in a cook’s supply store.

It is made by LorAnn Oils and is referred to as a “Super Strength.”  If you use this, know that it’s VERY concentrated – 3-4x a regular extract.

I only needed to use a couple of drops to achieve that buttery cinnamon roll taste!

These oats pack a ton of protein and nutrients that will keep you full until lunch!  They will also provide you energy as your brush up on wines of Italy… one more week!!!

 

Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats

  • 1/4 C oatmeal
  • 2 tsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Growing Naturals)
  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 6-7 drops Vanilla NuNaturals Stevia
  • 1/16 tsp cinnamon roll extract (a little goes a long way!)

In a small bowl, mix together dry ingredients.  Add wet ingredients and stir until combined.

Place in fridge overnight.  Remove in the morning, stir, and enjoy!

Note: These were great cold after a workout, but the same flavors would be fantastic in a warm oatmeal on a cool fall morning.

***

I haven’t tied to get oats through airport security yet… I wonder if they count as liquid?!  Will test it out and report back. 🙂

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Have you found any unique extracts that you love?

Give Yourself the Shakes

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Normally having the shakes is a bad thing.

 

Last week I got them in a good way (as opposed to the “Imma kill Mr. Cuervo” way) from a weight routine.

 

It’s no secret that arms are my love.  Biceps used to be my favorite part to work, but recently I’m really into triceps.

Particularly this workout.  The best part?  You can do it anywhere that has free weights and a bench.  Translation: I can do this in basically any hotel across America.

 

Don’t be afraid to push yourself on the amount of weight you lift.  Don’t hurt yourself, but you do need to challenge your muscles in order to gain.  No, you won’t end up looking like Hulk… people spend YEARS trying.

 

I’ve also been more vigilant about rest time between moves.  I was a skeptic, but I’ve honestly noticed a difference since taking the proper break time between sets – both in form and development.

 

As you do the bench exercises, make sure to keep your back straight and feet firmly planted on the floor.  Also be sure to keep your core tight.  This will keep it engaged, giving you added benefit.

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Chest

1. Plyometric Push-Ups

 

Do a regular push-up (be sure to use proper form), but when you lower to the ground explode back up so that your hands leave the ground.  Bonus points if you can clap in between.

Don’t be afraid to do these from your knees if you need to.

  • Sets: 2
  • Reps: 5-8
  • Rest: 30 seconds

 

2. Bench Press with Dumbbells*

Be sure to bring the dumbbells down low, concentrating on the bottom portion of the movement and then come up hard.

 

 

*I did these as a rest-pause on the last set.  Meaning, I did the max reps I could, rested the weights on my chest for ~20 seconds, then did as many additional reps as I could.

  • Sets: 2
  • Reps: 8-10
  • Rest: 1 minute

 

3. Incline Bench Press with Dumbbells**

Be sure to push the dumbbells straight up until your arms are fully extended (without locking elbows).  Fully lower weights back to the start position to complete each rep.

**You will do these as supersets with the next move.  Superset means you do NOT rest between the two moves.  Yuo rest after completing 1 set of BOTH.

  • Sets: 3
  • Reps: 6-8
  • Rest: Superset

 

**Superset**

 

4. Incline Flye

Keep your elbows bent slightly to avoid stressing your shoulders.  Slowly bring the weights down to your sides to complete a rep.

These are especially good for increasing range of motion and shaping pectorals (which makes your chest look.. ahem… nicer).

  • Sets: 3
  • Reps: 20
  • Rest: 1 minute

 

Triceps

1. Lying Extension with Dumbbells**

When above your head, the dumbbells should be positions such that your palms facing each other. As you bend your elbows to lower the weights, your upper arms should not move.  Lower the dumbbells until they are at either side of your head, pausing for a moment.  Lift weights back to the starting position to complete a rep.

  • Sets: 3
  • Reps: 15
  • Rest: Superset

 

**Superset**

 

2. Tri Pressdown

 

These are  my favorite.  Really focus on keeping your abs contracted here for a little extra core benefit.  Keep your elbows in toward your torso and really press palms down toward your thighs as you squeeze the triceps.

  • Sets: 3
  • Reps: 20
  • Rest: 30 seconds

 

3. One-Arm Dumbbell Overhead Extension***

 

This is one of the best ways to tone arm “flab.”  Be sure to keep your upper arm stabilized as you bend at elbow to lower weight behind head.  As you straighten your arm to bring the weight back up,  squeeze back of arm to really work the muscle.

***These were done as drop sets.  I did the 15 reps, then dropped the weight by 5 lbs and did more rep until failure.  Then dropped the weight by another 5 lbs and completed reps until muscle failure again.

  • Sets: 3
  • Reps: 15
  • Rest: 1 minute

 

Post-arms I finished up with 15 minutes of ab work.  Adding P90X Ab Ripper X and hanging leg lifts gave me a solid hour workout… and left me shaking.  In a good way.

Don’t forget your 20g of protein post-workout!

 

Check out my Fitness page for more workouts and tips. 🙂

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This was Thursday’s workout.  Here’s rest of what I did on the road last week:

 

Workout Recap (9/5-9/11)

  • Monday – 6.5 mile run, Shoulders, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – Biceps/Back, 6 min plank sequence, 100 push-ups
  • Wednesday – 4 mile run, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X
  • Friday – 4.5 mile run, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – Kickboxing
  • Sunday – 4 mile run, 3 mile run/walk, 6 min plank sequence, 100 push-ups

***

 2 days after doing this workout, my kickboxing instructor complimented my arms.  It made my day.

What’s your favorite way to exercise?

Do you have a favorite body part to work?  (Keep it clean! 😉 )

 

Coconut Milk Greek Yogurt + WIAW

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Jen’s WIAW is becoming my favorite weekly feature.

 

 

I get SO many great ideas reading other people’s posts!  Head over Peas & Crayons to check them out.

 

Breakfast

I was fortunate enough to receive samples of the new So Delicious Greek-style yogurt.  The flavors include blueberry, raspberry, chocolate, and plain.  Made with coconut milk, the Greek-sytle yogurt is VEGAN.

 

The nutritional information overall is good.  The fiber contect is awesome – 8g!  For those who prefer flavored yogurt, it only has 11g of sugar.  That’s a lot for my taste, but it is pretty low compared to others on the market.  It also have a ton of Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Magnesium.

Admittedly, I was a bit disappointed with protein.  One of the reasons I love Greek yogurt so much is the high protein content.  This coconut version only contains 2g.

 

I tried the blueberry version first.  While I did like it… it was very different than Greek yogurt.  The texture wasn’t as creamy and it didn’t have the tartness.

Recognizing that this may be a plus for some of you (especially if you don’t like/have never had Greek yogurt), I like the “real” thing better.

 

Had I tried it expecting a traditional yogurt, I would have been happier.  I think it’s better than “regular” yogurt!  (Disclaimer: I don’t like regular yogurt.)

 

I gave it some more “oomph” with my new love: Peanut Flour.  Why didn’t you guys beat me over the head to order this sooner?!  It’s life-changing!!!

 

It’s incredible.  Just add a little liquid and salt and you have a protein and fiber-rich peanut butter substance with less fat.  Did I mention it’s also gluten-free?!  I cannot wait to make pancakes and cookies with this.

I’m not sharing – order your own here: Protein Peanut Flour (woo hoo for this hometown Georgia company!)

From a galaxy far, far away...

 

PBJ Vegan Yogurt Deliciousness

  • 2 T Peanut flour
  • 2 T So Delicious unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 container So Delicious Blueberry Greek-style yogurt

 

In small bowl, mix together first 3 ingredients to form a peanut butter-like substance.  Swirl in yogurt.  Inhale bowl of deliciousness.

 

 

Lunch

Moroccan Carrot Salad is even better a day or 2 later!  I made some extra so I could eat it through0ut the week and I thoroughly enjoyed it in a wrap today.  I used a Rudi’s spelt tortilla and stuffed it with hummus, carrot salad, cucumber, celery, spinach, and green pepper.

With lots of water throughout the day in my Georgia Tech glass.  (16 days until the beginning of the GT football season!!!)

Insert 4 mile, music-less run here.  Silly Shuffle was out of juice. 🙁

Do you see that sweat?!  It was so flipping hot.  No music.  630pm.  I think I ran fast just to get ‘er done.

I fantasized thought about dinner the WHOLE way.

Dinner

More carrots!  This time with Shirataki tofu noodles and peanut sauce (yes, more peanut flour!).

Tomorrow you get more details on this!  This post is getting loooong… it was a fantastic throw-together-meal.  You should check back.  Everybody’s doing it.

Snacks

I cannot believe I FORGOT to take a pic of my snack today.

 

Pinkberry yogurt.  Sheer deliciousness.  I got the watermelon (only in stores until August 19th!) with mango and toasted almonds on top.

I also sampled the Salted Caramel.  It was good, but I prefer yogurts in fruity flavors.  “Dessert” flavors (like chocolate and caramel) are reserved for ice cream treats.  Clearly I don’t mind a fruity tart!  (That’s what she said.)

 

My nighttime snack doubled as dessert – a chocolate-peanut butter protein shake.  With spinach, of course.

Almost forgot the pic.  Lucky me – I was chatting with the famous Jen while drinking it and remembered just in time.

In my shake:

  • 1 scoop chocolate casein protein powder
  • 1/2 C spinach (I ran out!)
  • 1/2 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 T crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of guar gum (helps to make the texture more shake-like)
  • Ice + Water, to taste

***

I have dinner plans tonight and it’s making the day dragggggg.

Do you have dessert preferences in terms of what you like fruity vs. chocolate-y?

What is the best thing you’ve eaten so far this week?

 

Blueberry Cilantro Bulgur Salad

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Naming recipes is hard.

Better-Than-S’mores Brownies = easy to name.  

Salad with lots of stuff = harder.  Unless I just call it “Salad with Lots of Stuff.”  Hmmmm… the zucchini and the vinaigrette made this one hard.  That’s just too much for one title!

This is my first time working with bulgur.  I really liked it – maybe even better than quinoa.  It seems to have a bit more bite and a nuttier taste, both characteristics I find attractive (though not as attractive as being independently wealthy with a house on the Mediterranean coast).

So why is bulgur a good gain choice?

  • Minimal processing allow it to retain protein and minerals
  • Good source of protein, B vitamins, folate, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus
  • High insoluble fiber content (more than oats, buckwheat, or corn!)
  • Low glycemic index helps to stabilize insulin levels
  • Can be prepared raw (by soaking) or cooked in just 15 mins.
The ingredients may have been too much for one title, they were NOT too much for one recipe!

The crisp zucchini gives this salad a satisfying “crunch” and chili vinaigrette provides a gentle (really) punch at the end of each bite.

Out of zucchini?  Squash or cucumber would also work nicely.

Don’t keep ancho chili powder?  Try paprika or regular chili powder.

No bulgur? *gasp*  Use wild rice, quinoa, or another favorite grain.

This may seem like an odd combo, but trust me.  (Why do I feel  like I type that sentence a lot?!)  

Blueberry Cilantro Bulgur Salad

  • 1 C bulgur (uncooked)
  • 2 T EVOO
  • 2 T rice wine vinegar
  • 1 T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/3 C fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • S+P, to taste
  • 1 C blueberries
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • Lime slices

Prepare bulgur according to package instructions.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, nutritional yeast, and spices.  Adjust, adding salt and pepper to taste.  

Toss the cooked bulgar in the vinaigrette.  Fold in the cilantro, blueberries, and zucchini.  Garnish with lime.

Serve hot or cold.

Makes 2 main dishes or 4 sides (approximately 4 cups).

***

I’m participating again in Spicie Foodie’s Your Best Recipe this month.  Link over to her site to join up, or check back on July 31st for a round up!

Do you struggle with recipe naming?

How about with recipe making? 🙂

Thirsty Thursday

By

It’s about a million degrees outside.

 

 

The only thing I want for breakfast on these days is a big arse smoothie!

 

My mornings usually consist of the following:

  • Rolling out of bed
  • Wetting down my crazy spiked up hair (short hair + restless sleep = rockstar AM ‘do)
  • Brushing my teeth
  • Eating a date or spoonful of PB
  • Throwing on running clothes
  • Running or the gym


The date/PB keeps me going to 4-6 miles – more than that and I’d need more substance – but in this heat I’m never very hungry when I first get back.

 

The solution?  A smoothie!  It’s easier to drink than eat post-run and the coldness helps me stop sweating (yes, I even sweat post-shower) before going to work.

Ever since the jaw-breaking incident, I’ve been pretty creative with making a substantial drink.

 

99.9% of the time I use a protein powder – bonus is that is adds sweetness without excess sugar.  You can also use dates, Stevia, honey, agave to get the right level of sweet sans protein.

I also ALWAYS toss in a cup o f spinach or kale.  You really can’t taste it and you get all those nutrients.  Why wouldn’t you add it?

 

My Top 5:

(click the names for recipes)

 

1. Sweet Potato

This is a go-to for me.  I usually have a sweet potato laying around.  Usually half eaten from the previous meal.

Adding the potato makes this smoothie sweet, super creamy, and reminiscent of the pie (in a good way – I don’t actually like the pie… maybe a consistency thing?).

 

2. Avocado-Banana

 

Avocados after the perfect ingredient – they give your drink a creamy shake-like texture and have virtually no taste.

I’m always guilty of letting 1/2 an avocado go to waste – I eat part on a salad, the other half turns brown, and I toss it (basically throwing away a dollar per!).  Until I discovered that you can freeze avocado.  Cut it into quarters and toss it in tupperware (with your collection of frozen bananas 🙂 ).

 

3. Butternut Squash-Cherry

 

I hate to play favorites… but this one is my favorite.  It’s like a cherry bomb with squash!  Yes, I realize that doesn’t sound as appetizing to normal people as it does to me.

Seriously though.  Again with the creaminess, but this one has that rich, winter squash sweetness too.  You already know (I hope!) that cherries and chocolate are a great combo.  Just think of the nutrients in this one little drink!

By now you should be bouncing up and down with excitement in your desk chair.  Try it – you’ll know I’m not nuts.

 

4. Savory Protein Lassi

 

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Indian food.  It borders on addiction.  As such, I naturally love lassis.  Mango is good, but they can sometimes be too sweet.

When I saw a more savory lassi on a local menu, I knew I needed to amp it up with protein and call it a recovery drink.  Indian-style.

 

5. Mocha Banana

 

I cannot believe I almost forgot about this creation!  Banana + chocolate + coffee.  It is a great way to use the leftovers from your pot o’ coffee, ensuring that you’ll be properly caffeinated for the day.

If you are really hard core – and I am – you’ll crumble a chocolate muffin on top too.  Guess what I’ll be having for breakfast… *still kicking self for going so long without this smoothie*

***

Many say they couldn’t get tired of oatmeal or peanut butter or cookies… I couldn’t get tired of smoothies.

What’s your favorite smoothie?

What the one thing you could never tire of?

 

Chocolate Breakfast Pudding

By

How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?

 

If you do eat your meat first, Google might give you a green light.

 

 

Apparently Google has begun giving their food a rating system.  (You know, the food that they supply their employees for FREE… no, I’m not jealous…)

  • Green = eat anytime
  • Yellow = eat occasionally
  • Red = splurge rarely


What’s next?  The Google Food Pyramid?

 

 

It is an interesting concept.  I wonder if it has the desired effect?  Would color–coded foods make you think twice?

 

Apparently vending machines (the only items that aren’t free to Google employees) are priced according to nutritional value. 

 

 

For example:

 

“Quaker Chewy Bars are 15 cents each, Famous Amos cookies re 55 cents, and an enormous Ghirardelli chocolate bar

is $4.25.”

 

 

Not that Quaker Chewy Bars are the pictue of health… but there are worse out there.

 

Check out this article for more info.


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If you are ME and you want pudding before you eat your meat you simply make it for breakfast.  Breakfast makes sweets acceptable – duh.

 

 

When searching for a sweet yet healthy source of protein for breakfast (read: too busy to go buy eggs or Greek yogurt), look no further then your trusty protein powder/drink supply.

 

Can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla?  Use both!

Want to cinnamon?  Dump it in!

How about some chia seeds for extra post-run hydration?  Done.

Want a little crunch with it?  Those raw Banana Nut Bars I made Friday are even better after sitting a couple of days.

Note: the banana granola and the banana in the pudding were a perfect pair! 

 

You’ve just witnessed the thought process that lead to the birth of Chocolate Breakfast Pudding.

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Chocolate Breakfast Pudding

  • 1/3 dark chocolate EAS (or any chocolate milk alternative)
  • 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 banana, mashed
  • 1/2 T chia seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon


Mix it all together and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2-3 hours for the chia to become “pudding”).  Stir and devour!

***

I would love healthier (and free!) options at my office’s lunch spot!

How would you feel if your employer implemented a similar system?

Does your opinion change if they are supplying the food to employees for free?

 

Zucchini-Banana Protein Muffins

By

Odd habits.

Everybody has at least one… right?  During a run last week I realized I have some odd running habits:

1. I have to chew gum

No idea how/why this started, but suddenly I don’t leave for a run without a stick of gum.

Morning runs get the energy gum.  Does it work?  I think so… at the very least the placebo-effect works!

2. I alternate the shoes I wear

Another randomly started habit.  I accumulated 3 (new) pairs of running shoes and convinced myself that rotating the shoes I run in will help with… I’m not sure what.  Soreness?  Injury prevention?  Matching my running outfit?

Somewhere I read that rotating deodorants is a good thing so your body doesn’t get too used to one brand and build an immunity.  In my head, running shoes are no different.

3. The mileage I run has to be a round number

Unless it’s a short run, in which case I must run 3.14 (a 5K).  Why not stop at 3?  Who knows.

One of the most-viewed pages on this site is my Zucchini-Banana Muffins.  98 calories. 2.2 g protein.  The veggie-factor.  Vegan.  These are some pretty good breakfast muffins!

I just made them better.

Zucchini-Banana PROTEIN Muffins

(a.k.a. The 92 Calorie Muffin)

  • 1/4 C white whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur)
  • 1/4 C spelt flour
  • 1 scoop (2 T) vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 small zucchini, grated
  • 1 small ripe banana
  • 2 T unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 T light agave nectar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 6 regular-sized muffin tins with Pam/butter/Earth Balance.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In medium bowl, mush bananas with a fork.  Add remaining ingredients and stir.

Add the wet mixture to the dry, stirring until just combined.  Pour into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating pan half way through.

Makes 6 muffins.

Approximate Nutrition Info: 92 calories, 0.4g fat, 17.9g carbohydrates, 1.8g fiber, 8.4g sugar, 5.3g protein

***

I’m still in a food coma from last night’s dinner – more tomorrow!  Today calls for a looooong, gum-filled, round numbered run. 🙂

Do you have any odd and/or randomly formed habits?

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