Overnight Oats

I love breakfast.
So much to the point I could have it multiple times a day. Today I woke up hungry and sometimes (okay, always) I don’t have patience to make anything. So I’m glad I made it last night.
Overnight Oats!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 C. GF Rolled Oats
• 1 C. Almond Breeze Vanilla unsweetened Almond milk
• 2 T. Chia seeds
• 1/2 scoop Protein_ I used Elite (by Dymatize Nutrition) Vanilla
• Cinnamon to taste
• Top with favorite fruit. Or not.

Directions: Mix all ingredients together, cover with saran wrap and place in your fridge overnight!
* Have sweet dreams
Wake up and enjoy! No waiting, no cooking, no chopping.
You could even mix it in a Tupperware and take it to go!
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Workout:
I  mentioned in my last post that it is “Hellth” week at GPP
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Let me just tell you..
My hamstrings have never been so sore in all my life. The next 3 WOD are the toughest.. I hope I can walk come Sunday.
I love the challenge that this week brings. Its just hard. And I get a crazy sense of satisfaction from each and every workout.
Through the intense challenge of this week, I have realized a few things.
1.My diet changes. For some reason when I’m sore.. I think more food will aid in recovery.
For Example: Yesterday, I consumed 3 HUGE bowls of Honey Nut Chex in one sitting simply because my hamstrings said so.
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Today, that box of cereal is gone. I had a little help.. not much. I think Brent was able to consume 1 serving.  (I am a cereal fiend.. I can’t keep it in my house or it disappears.. too fast.) – that and cereal is crazy expensive so I just do my wallet and rear a favor and don’t buy it, except upon special request from Brent… or my hamstrings.
2. I have never been more thankful for my foam roller. I literally sat on it for 45 minutes today.
3. I’ve never been so excited for Sunday to come.. (its my rest day)

I taught pump tonight and after a quick trip to the grocery store came home made some eggs and veggies for dinner.
Looks fantastic right?
5 egg whites, onions, red pepper, mushrooms and spinach. Sprinkled with Mrs. Dash. I
I know it doesn’t look amazing but it taste good and is a great post-workout meal.

Q. Do you eat more when your sore? Carbs? Sugar?  
Yes, honey nut Chex has been proven to aid in recovery…..
Q. What is your favorite cereal?
Honey nut Chex.. after its been soaking in almond milk for precisely 7 minutes.

Preparing a healthy meal + A Challenge

 

Today was the beginning of “Hellth” week at GPP. It is not to late to join in on the fun.If you do so you may receive health and happiness. And or the inablilty to walk or lift your arms to eye level by the end of week. BUT you will have happiness that I can assure.

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Each workout this week is tough. But I can’t think of a better way to kick those resolutions into gear. I challenge all of you to give these workouts a shot and see how you do. Maybe one of your resolutions was to change up your routine, or try something different. – Well, here it is on a silver platter.

Maybe your goal was to start working out. Good for you! I recommend not going balls to the wall at first. Start slow and build up. If you hit it hard the first day, you may only be setting up to fail because you will be to sore the next day and skimp out on the work out. Everyone starts somewhere. Take your time and be smart about it.

After the Workout, I ran a mile with some gym friends, in which we picked up a stray ball off the side of the road and kicked it the whole way back to home base. I now think I will kick a ball through all long runs.. it was highly entertaining and not to mention worked up some agility skills. Ha!

I did about 4 more miles after to break in my new kicks. They are K Swiss and sort of remind me of zumba?? To bad I don’t particularly shake it to often. They are bright and therefore I love them. Not to mention I have been running in my new balance minimus shoes for the past 6 months and these feel like I’m running on clouds in comparison. Got to have some cushion for the pushin’ y’all.

It was perfect running weather today. What happened to Utah winter weather?? I don’t know and don’t care. I’m loving it!

Post run I refueled with some Chocolate protein while preparing lunch.

Lunch was a 6oz grilled chicken seasoned with Mrs. Dash and a spinach salad with some diced apple (which I ate the rest of), avocados, tomatoes and a kiwi (that was about to die). I drizzled some olive oil and some Asian sesame dressing over the top.

One of my goals for the new year is to put more of my meals on a plate. I used to be really good at it until the babies got a little bit more active then it turned into a hurry and stuff my face with whatever before the babies see what I have and take it away and get in the fridge and empty the entire produce drawer and spilling all the condiments from the door.. You have to be quick.

To plan my meals is something that comes easily to me and most of the food is prepared in advance so it is quick and convenient to just grab but I should actually sit down and eat off a plate and avoid eating straight from the fridge.

HEALTHY MEAL PLANNING

When planning my meals I want to be sure to have certain items prepared in advance or easy to grab. Each meal usually consists of each of the following:

• A protein
• Healthy fat
• Variety of vegetables
• Complex Carb

**Please note: There are several other options that fit into each category. This only reflects mainly what I always have on hand or have prepared in advance. My diet is not limited/restricted to only these foods.

1. Protein: My favorites are Protein Powders, Chicken, Tilapia, Sodium-free Tuna or eggs.

2. Healthy Fats: Olive oil, Avocados, Almonds.

3. Veggies: Green beans, asparagus, peppers, onions, broccoli, and spinach.

4. Carbs: Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, Oatmeal, Fruits.

When my meal includes at least one of the following I never feel deprived or hungry after. It’s the perfect amount and leaves me feeling good about myself without sacrificing any flavor or variety because it can be different every day.

We spent the rest of the night at my husbands mall..

Cabelas

We went with the FIL and BIL and SIL. We had a good time and I found a coat that could keep me warm in Antarctica.

Be jealous. It was down and completely comfy.

Lets discuss some random facts of the day:

1. The bachelor: Ben is BOOOOORING. I think the only thing that show has going for it is the crazy chick Jenna. And or the the rapper.

2. My husband earned some bonus points and surprised me yesterday with this!

A kindle FIRE. Now, I can read runners world in bed, in the dark AND upside down. Or just continue the 23 games of words with friends.

One day I’ll download a book. One day.

That is a resolution I have all year to start…

Q. What is your new year resolution?

Which one? Ha. Lets just say I like to make list. LONG list … of goals and goals on how to achieve those goals. Its going to be a good year folks.

Q. Share your quick go-to meal/snack, What is something you always have on hand?

Banana. has to be frozen. + Almond butter has to be freshly grounded. I’m telling you this is my pre-workout, post workout, stress eating drug of choice

Oatmeal Bites

After the holidays I always seem to be snacky! Not necessarilly hungry but I have been so used to grazing on whatever is laying out..and it seemed to have just turned into a habit.
So to celebrate the new year I made a snack that contains a good ratio of carbs and proteins,  that will fill you up and not leave you reaching for that last cookie or bottomless nut bowl. 
Oatmeal Bites!

(Pictures do these no justice..they were taken from my I phone, SLR is being cleaned! Food blogging can do some damage..)

Oatmeal bites

Ingredients

• 2 C. GF Oats/Old fashioned Oats
• 1/4C. wheat germ (for gluten free use ground flax seed)
• 1/4 flax seed
• 1/3 C. chopped almonds
• 1/2 C. chopped pistachios
• 1/2 C. Cream Almond butter
• 1/4 C. Agave Nectar
• 1/3 C. Dried Cranberries.

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 325
Mix all ingredients together in a medium sized bowl until well combined

Spread coconut oil in the base of a mini muffin pan and press the mixture firmly into the pan.

Bake for 20-22 minutes
Remove and let cool completely!!!!
Separate them into portion size baggies 2 to a bag! And you have not only a healthy snack to graze on but to take “on the go”!
Enjoy!!!

Welcoming 2012

I hope you all had a wonderful new years. I love New years because it feels as if you get a fresh start. A new beginning.

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Last night Brent and I were able to find a sitter and went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse! (We had a gift certificate)

We both enjoyed conversation over a house salad without any interruptions. It is always nice to get out without the babies from time to time and have time to talk about us and our goals for this year.

(lighting in Texas Road House is a bit on the dark side..)

Brent of course went the sirloin

 

and I went with a grilled salmon and baked sweet potato.

We spent the night with some friends playing games (I didn’t even take 1 picture!! Ooops…) After watching the ball drop we got a head start on the new year with a good workout at 1 am at GPP.

Ringing Sweating in the New Year with 20 of your closest friends is pretty awesome. Our trainer took us through 6 sets  of 12 reps of 12 different movements, including squats, OH press, and Bicep curls and then deadlifts, Skullcrushers and V-ups.

 

Now.. that is how you bring in the new year.

Some of my resolutions are simple and others are going to require a whole other list of goals to achieve them.

All I know, is with how blessed I am and support I have from my family and friends (near & far) 2012 is going to be a GREAT year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

**2012**

Comfort Rolls

Hello, blog.. After a holiday hiatus I’m back!
Bad news is I’m still in full blown holiday mode.
I don’t think I have had an actual meal for 5 days. #fail
I have baked cookies, cakes, brownies etc. --- from a box.
Grazed at 6 family get togethers. And…
I have pretty much have finished off my entire stocking of crap also.
Although I  did perfect my aunts rolls, from scratch might I add.

They were perfectly fluffy, soft and comfy.

I won’t mention that they took me 8 hours to make because I have issues with fast rising yeast.
Dang it.

After several texts and phone calls with my aunt, prayers and curse words I was blessed with raised dough.

Can I get a..Hallelujah?

Orange Rolls

Ingredients
Dough:

• 1/2 C. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 C. Scalded Milk
• 2 pkg dry yeast
• 1 C. Warm water
• 2 eggs
• 5-6 C. sifted flour

Orange Paste

• Grind the peel of 2 oranges
• 4 T. of butter
• 3 T. Sugar

Frosting

• Juice from one orange (not the whole thing, just enough for flavor)
• 1 stick of butter (room temp)
• 1 C. Powdered sugar (give or take—add until desired consistency is achieved)

Directions:
Measure sugar, salt, and butter in large bowl
Add scalded milk and set aside Let cool till luke warm.
Add yeast to warm water and let stand for about 5-7 minutes
Stir to dissolve.
Add eggs, 2 cups of flour and yeast blend to milk mixture then mix in the other 3 cups of flour. Place dough in greased bowl – cover and let raise for 1 hour. Punch down and let sit for 15 min. longer.
Roll out and spread orange grinds/butter/sugar over dough.


Roll and slice using dental floss
*cross and pull!
place in glass pan and let raise for 35-45 minutes
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.
Make frosting by combining ingredients and mix with hand mixer--Add frosting when cooled.

YES!!

Now, I realize these aren’t classified as “healthy”…
But I do believe it is healthy to indulge a little every now and then and with that being said what do you expect I should do with the rest of this?

OH I guess I have a few more days to take care of it before the new year starts.
Lets get ready to buckle down!
But before new year resolutions take place. Make THESE rolls!! Heck, they have at least one serving of fruit in them.. and whole grain. right?

Q. What do you think I should do with the rest of this candy?

• A. Throw it away
• B. Give it away
• C. Pack it up for next year.
• D. Melt it all together and make lovely Christmas candy truffles?

Something funny? 

Check this story out. Pretty much sums up the excitement of Christmas eve..

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all are having a Merry Christmas today! Filled with love, family and friends.

From my family to yours… Happy Holidays!

Grapefruit Halibut

It is getting a little crazy around here. I still can’t believe Christmas is in 3 er.. almost 2 days!! Whoo hoo!! Am I ready? I have cranberry sauce to make and orange rolls! All on the list to-do for tomorrow.

Along with 30 million rds of Peek-a-boo

and catch me if you can..

Today, Brent got off a little early and we ran a few errands including a little lulu stop..

Thank you Santa..

We came home for dinner and I had some halibut that I pulled out of the freezer a week ago to make this meal and never got to it.. (It’s been a crazy week.) How long is fish okay in the fridge for? a week? Hmmmm…I guess we will find out…

I prepared the halibut by squeezing half a grapefruit over the top and sprinkling with parsley and a little sea salt.

Place grapefruit slices on the top and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

Easy right?

I roasted some cauliflower and green beans to eat on the side.

Great meal! I love halibut, the grapefruit flavor was light, next time I want to marinate over night in the juice to make it a little stronger. Halibut doesn’t taste to “fishy” but boy does it smell fishy.. Good thing I’m making cranberry sauce tomorrow! I love making it just because it makes my home smell like Christmas!

We set out to deliver a few bags of homemade kettle corn to our neighbors

Brent is off for the holiday and I have to work tomorrow.. So its time to go snuggle and enjoy him home while I got him. Off to watch a Christmas movie and enjoy a little dessert!

Good night!