Not Always Organic

Happy Monday!!
Did you guys have a busy day like mine was? Mondays are always a little crazy but I look forward to Monday and the structure and schedule that comes along with it after a fun weekend. Well, maybe everything but laundry…
This morning I headed to the gym and the workout today was a total body circuit. For 10 minutes we had to do as many rounds of possible of 3 different exercise, rest one minute then move to the next triplet—three times! The workout was 32 minutes long and it was rough! …. so I guess that means it was a good workout. I definitely felt a little drag after consuming my body weight in chips and salsa at family BBQ's yesterday. I love rough Monday workouts!
I made a shake with a fresh peach post workout!

Let me tell you this was absolute heaven post sweat fest. I LOVE peaches and I need to go purchase a plethora of them this year because this shake may happen every day!
I used my new post workout protein powder. I purchased this after chatting with a friend about post workout nutrition and this came highly recommended.
After Shock- Pina Colada!
Pina Colada plus Peach = Heaven!

After a quick errand to Costco with the hummer and the jeep..

It was time for LUNCH!

I grilled some tilapia, baked some sweet potatoes and roasted some broccoli. This is a common lunch for me but today I melted 1 tbsp. of coconut oil over my yam today and it gave it a whole new delicious flavor.

I guess I’m on a coconut kick today with my shake and then my yam.

Let me tell you, Coconut Oil + Yam is the JAM!
Eating Organic?
One question or comment I get a lot is, “You only eat only “organic” foods huh?”
Confession?
Um. NOPE. I eat mostly healthy but not always organic.


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I would LOVE to eat organic all the time. I’m not a fan of pesticides and antibiotics that are found in fruits, eggs and meats. But it can get pretty expensive, especially meats. I can grow my own garden, raise my own chickens but there is no way I’m going to kill, pluck and cook those chickens or deal with a cow in my backyard. Those are some pies I don’t ever want to deal with.
So I try to purchase organic fruits and veggies only in the dirty dozen. Not all the time though! I do not buy organic chicken, or beef. My sister, MIL and Dad have chickens so I am able to get eggs from them which is great!
Make sure you wash your produce thoroughly before eating organic or not.
Here is the dirty dozen and clean 15 list you can check out.

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It is apple and peach season around here and there are local fruit stands all over! There is one that I pass on my home from the gym and I stop by and pick some up every now and then. I love to support local families by buying their produce and it always taste better then getting it from the grocery store.

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So I guess my point is you can still eat healthy without eating organic. Eat what you can organic, but I don’t think you need to stress about it too much. Some people may argue the health benefits and what not but don’t think you have to eat organic to be healthy.
Question of the Day:
Do you buy Organic? Thoughts?
Coconut oil goes great with________?

It is only the beginning..

hey guys! I took a little hiatus for a few days in trade for a little extra time with the fam! We spent the weekend at the pool.
This morning marks the first day of GPP RX + week. RX + week is our “hell week.” It is a week of 2 a-day workouts. We also follow a nutrition plan that was designed by our coach. It is pretty much going to be a good challenge for me. 2 a-day workouts plus the classes I’m teaching this week. It’s a guaranteed sore maker week for sure.
This morning after workout #1, I came home to enjoy a protein shake and plan my week out. I am having to plan on mostly AM back to back workouts due to work, kids, play time, husbands gym time, etc.
 
I haven’t done an early early workout in quite a while… Now that the Olympics are over I may get to bed at a decent time. I also may sneak in a nap during the twins nap during the day. Rest and recovery is crucial this week and I’m planning on staying on top of it.

In the mix:

• 1 Cup Silk Almond milk
• 1 scoop plant fusion Chocolate
• 1 C. Frozen Berries (Cherries, pom arils, raspberries, blueberries & strawberries)
• 3 C. Spinach
• Ice

Lunch came quick today, after a quick trip to Costco for a few groceries for the week. Which I got sucked into a VitaMixer demonstration.. (Now have pre-settings). At least the kids and I got a few different sample smoothies for standing through the 10 min. demo.
I welcomed this full blown salad.

In the bowl:

• Fresh spring mix
• Sweet potatoes
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Green beans
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• Walden Farm dressing- Honey Dijon

I’m really going to miss fresh veggies straight from the garden once winter hits around here. They bring a salad to a whole new level. They are full of so much flavor and add just the perfect of amount of crisp and crunch to the bowl.
I taught body attack (which was a complete sweat fest). I’m sure the air conditioning was not on in that room cause it felt like it was 100 degrees in the room.
I had an hour before I had to be at RX + Workout #2.
And just so you know.. I’m not the only crazy..

There was a great group of GPP peeps to storm this hill sprint workout!

What a GROUP! This community continues to inspire everyday! How awesome are the kids that kept up with us? Oh, and threw water balloons at us when we were done…
Here are a few of my favorite girls of the night.

Day one is done and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store! I’m off to bed. I’m tired and my 5:30 am alarm is not to far off. Rumor has it the RX+ workout has something to do with bleachers..
If you’re a local folk. There is a deal going on right now to come try GPP. Don’t skip out on this opportunity! Check it out!
Question of the day:
This or that?
Group fitness or Community fitness?
Garden Tomatoes or Cucumbers?
Stay up late or Wake up early?

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cake Cookies and A Smoothie!

Happy MONDAY!
Do you ever get an itch to workout?
I get that itch almost every Monday. I think I do because Sunday’s are generally my rest day and I’m just plain lazy. (I’ll get back to the itch in a minute..) I even made a to-do list on Sunday to keep me busy, but it got tossed to the side and we ended up going for a walk and making cookies instead.  Something about not being able to keep two TWO year olds inside for a long period of time, which usually backfires on my to-do list that is usually cleaning anyway..
A walk and cookies it is!

Gluten Free Chocolate chip Cake Cookies.
How is that for a title?

These babies were BIG. They had a soft cakey texture and were worthy of eating along a big glass of milk.
GLUTEN FREE Chocolate Chip Cake Cookies
Yields about 16 cookies
Adapted from here
Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 C. Gluten-Free Flour (I used Bobs Mill)
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1/4 xanthan gum
• 3/4 C. Apple Sauce
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 C. Firmly packed brown cane sugar
• 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 C. Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Combine Dry ingredients in a medium bowl (except chocolate chips, set them aside)
Combine wet ingredients into a large bowl
Slowly add dry ingredients by using your hand mixer at a medium speed, until creamy.
Stir in Chocolate chips.
Drop dough onto greased cookies sheet by rounded tbsp. or two
Bake for 9 minutes. Until Golden Brown

Let stand for about 2 minutes before digging in.

Amazing lightning, I know.. .(hey, it was 9:30 at night)
Going for walks is one of my favorite things to do on Sunday with my family.

We didn’t bring the strollers for the twins and they kept up pretty well! We even took a break on the grass for a bit, which turned into quite the wrestling match.


I just love these two.


By this morning I was ready to work hard,I had the “itch” and let me tell you, I got worked.

Workout with links of each exercise can be found here.
This was a new workout at GPP today, A new challenge, I was ready to push and that I did. This workout put me on the floor, and I feel good about it. I was able to complete the 4th round in 5:56. My goal was to sub six and I barely made it. Burpees and the lunge steps were the worst for me!
I came home and made this blueberry quinoa recovery shake! I changed it just a bit from Tina’s recipe.

In the mix:

• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 1/2 C. Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1/3 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 scoop Elite Egg Protein (Smooth Vanilla)
• Handful of Kale
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal

It hit the spot! I’m pretty sure it was 100 degrees by 9am today. This kept me full for hours too! I was able to run errands all afternoon without even thinking about food.. (that never happens… I love food…)
By the time I got home I got the babes down for a nap and settled down with one big salad.

Packed full of veggies, which was glorious in every way.
I have even better news for the day.

I finally got a new PHONE!! No more shards of glass in my thumb/face.. scotch tape or putting people on mute during important conversations! It is an I phone miracle.
Question of the day:
What is your favorite kind of cookie?
How long does it take you to get the workout “itch.”

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

Yes, please!

This morning was a hot one, and after my workout I needed something to cool down with. I made this recovery shake and decided to have some eggs on the side for a little extra fuel for my busy morning.

In the blender:

• 1 1/2 C. Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1/2 tsp. Chia Seeds
• 1 banana
• 4 Strawberries
• 1 scoop Elite Egg Protein
• 5-6 ice cubes

It was good recovery after spending my morning here:

After a mile warm-up run, It was time to take on the BAT.


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I felt up to a challenge today and used heavier weights and even ended up putting a #25 plate on my back for the planks! Phew! My arms are DONE!
I made it home just as Bee woke up. I love cuddling her in the mornings, she is calm and snuggly. As soon as she gets going she never stops.. neither of them do really… Not sure where they get that one.

I think we will spend a little more time at the park later, they had too much fun yesterday and can’t wait to go down the “weee” (slide) again.


Catch ya’ later!
You may be interested:
Cartwheels? via gppfit.com
Kate Beckinsale Workouts via fitsugar.com
Get your good going! via mealsandmiles.com