How To: Fit in Fitness

Good morning bloggy boos!! How are you?

I am in such a good mood because today I am pigging out with Lisa and then TOMORROW I will be at my (surprise!) college for accepted students day:) And meeting all of my new girls. So so excited.

I am starting you off with an “inspirational” Jillian Michaels quote. If you are as obsessed with BL as I am, holla @ me.

“I’m gonna burst a blood vessel in my eyeball…I’m going to burst a blood vessel in my eyeball because of YOU.”

– (the great) Jillian Michaels

Hahahaha.

Don’t make Jillian mad. Get yo burn on, people!

Oh and to clear it up, I am not at the beach Hahaha it was a picture my grandma sent me to make me jealous. Well it worked.

Recently a few readers have asked how I keep an active lifestyle while balancing my life as a student. So I figured, what’s a better topic when I’ll be going to college in the fall?! (any guesses as to where that is?! I may..or may not…tell you if you’re right)

Read on for my secret stash of how to stay sane (and hot) in times of overload.

Here we go!

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How to Fit in Fitness:

1. Don’t try to find time, make time. This works like a charm. When you’re looking for room in your day, you’re not gonna find it. Guaranteed. So, decide when you’re going to work out and commit to it. For example, I plan my workouts ahead of time and decide when and for how long I am going to do them. Working out right after school is perf most of the time, so I do that, come home, then eat dinner and do my work! Easy as pie, and endorphinified:) Other days of the week, I meet up with friends to go to spinning, kettlebells, BodyPump, or just to ride the machines for a bit!
2. Plan ahead. Get your work done ahead of time, or know when you are going to complete it. That way, when you’re blissfully sweating away, you won’t be having a heart attack over the stack of paper waiting for you on your desk:)
   ^^ Danggg son that kid’s got his work cut out for him
3. Eat well. Not only does this mean eat nutritiously, but prep your eats ahead of time so that when you’re a starvin marvin, you have some food on hand to tame your hungry beast. For example, smoothie ingredients (protein powder!) are great, and pre-made grains, beans, and pre-sliced veggies are perfect. Oh, and cookie dough bowls.
4. Get some sleep! Self-explanatory. Get your sleep, and you’ll have more energy and time to get your workout in.
   ^^ Don’t be That Guy.
5. Get creative. Run outside, do a BodyRock workout, a fitness or yoga/pilates DVD, whatever floats your boat:) Go to yoga if you’re feeling sassy!BodyRock eats insanity for breakfast.

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So there you have it! Get creative with your workouts, no excuses:)

See you tomorrow from my new COLLEGE! And with my new best friend roomie

Edit: I am so so obsessed. Slash in love.

How do you fit exercise into your everyday life?

Favorite workouts in a pinch?

xoxox,

Sun Warrior Protein Socca + Carrot-Almond Macaroons!

Gooooood morning bloggy boos! How are you?

I am sleepy weepy. Thank GOODNESS third quarter is over, I can now offich say I am a fourth quarter senior! It is allll smooth sailing from here:)

Thank you for all of your college stories and tips on going to college and roomies! You guys are so insightful, and it’s making me even more excited to go off to school in the fall!! (and meet my roommate on Friday)

Yesterday was spent in an awesome workout at the gym where I ran into a couple of friends and Lisa (haha as per the Friday uge). We talked for about an hour and a half on the bikes. Time flies when you’re having fun:)

….like this guy:

Free ticket to the gun show? Oh hey new spinning teacher.

Anywhos, since yesterday was Indulgence Friday, I indulged in a little of sitting on my batooty. Aka, I came home, ate, watched Biggest Loser and House (any fans out there? Holllaaa at me!), then went to sleep.

This morning will be spent on a gorgeous canal run, crossing my fingers that it does not rain/snow/hail/cats and dogs! Gotta love Upstate New York. <— Do you sense my sarcasm?

So as you read this, I will be hitting the pavement with my new baby (who is still yet to be named). Any suggestions?? The first new baby has been affectionately named Darren. Ob. sessed.

But since you all are most likely tumbly grumbling for a new recipe, here are TWO. One is super simple, and the other requires some fun ingredients.

Last week, Lisa and I got together for a food date before our kick-toosh spin class (we have agreed that if we were guys, we would completely have a crush on our spin teacher. weird? don’t answer that).

First we made jooooose…

Yes, that is a whole Vita-Mix full of juice. And yes, it is completely poss to drink all of that (except we didn’t…they should make juice-drinking competitions for health champs like us).

Served in wine glasses, as uge.

Do you see the wabbit?

It’s like looking for animals in the clouds, except juice tastes way better than air. Just saying:)

‘Twas a kitchen sink juice with carrots, cilantro, lemons, celery, kale stalks, dandelion greens, ginger, red pepper, and lawd knows what else. It was delish and hit the spotsky

Then we made Sun Warrior Protein Socca with sprouted LENTIL flour. Socca without garbanzo beans?! Say whaaaa?

You heard me right, and chickadees it was so good. Topped with Sunflower Seed Butter (my obsession) and leftover Acai Pomegranate Chia Seed Jam.

Oh and coconut, coconut butter, and cacao nibs because it was completely necessary.

Ob. sessed.

Sun Warrior Protein Socca

Makes 2 small servings, or one large portion.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sprouted lentil flour, or other bean flour (a la vitamix)
• 2 scoops vanilla Sun Warrior
• 20 drops vanilla stevia
• 1 cup water (not sure on this measurement–best to go by texture and add gradually)

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl or Vita-Mix.
2. Heat a frying pan and add a tablespoon or so of extra-virgin coconut oil. Add batter in small amounts at a time.
3. Cook like pancakes until cooked through.
4. Top with your toppin’s and enjoy!

I think we downed this whole batch in two minutes flat and then ate some ‘roons later.

‘Roons say whaaaa? Get at me kiddos because this is the simplest, healthiest thing in the world. You’re going to wonder why you didn’t think of this biznazz.

I present to you,

ALMOND Carrot Balls!

Or if you want to sound fancy you can call them ‘roons. Whatever floats you boat:)

Carrot-Almond Macaroons

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of carrot pulp (or squeezed, blended/shredded/processed carrots)
• 2 cups ground raw almonds
• stevia or other sweetener to taste (if desired)

Directions:

1. Make your carrot pulp, and grind your almonds.
2. Combine the two in a large bowl and pack down. Add sweetener to taste(such as stevia, yacon, lucama, agave, maple syrup, or blackstrap molasses).
3. Shape into balls or macaroons (with a melon baller). Eat straight up, or dehydrate for a few hours and enjoy as macaroons.
4. Enjoy!

First, you take some carrot pulp (from your juicer), or simply put carrots in the blender and then squeeze out the moisture with a cheesecloth.

Then you grind up a ton of almonds, and combine the two! Shape them into balls and eat them that way (absolutely delicious) or dehydrate for a few hours and eat them as macaroons.

Our next project is to dip them in dark chocolate and melted coconut butter!:)

That’s all for today loves! Enjoy your Sattyday:)

How did you celebrate Indulgence Friday?

Sitting on my bootay and tons of Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic bowls:)

Favorite super-simple recipe. GO!

These balls. <— Minds out of the gutter people.

Tell me about your favorite protein powder!

Currently mine is Vega Vanilla Sport Protein, but I am convincing the ‘rents to get me some Sun Warrior:)

xoxox,

Shake Yo Bootay

Good morning friends! How are you?

I am sunny delicious this morning even though it is not that sunny. If you ain’t got sunshine, bring your own, am I right?

Anywhos, sorry for no post yesterday bloggy boos, lately it is WAY too easy to get caught up on schoolwork, projects, test studying, you know what I mean. BUT I have still been reading all of your bloggys from my Droid as I walk the halls, so do not fret:)

Remember when I told you about the crazykins class Lisa and I were going to go to Tuesday night? Didn’t happen. Dangflammit, Eke! Stop being out of town/sick, I wanted to get my butt whooped!

^^ My excited face

It’s okay though, we went to Spinning and I am pretty sure my butt went numb about twelve times. We took class from Joanne, who is a rockstar and could probably teach spin all day and not get tired. My idol.

So, butt-whooping will commence next week. I’m already shaking in my Uggs (p.s. I really need to get rid of those, it is time for Sperry’s weather mmk).

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New Traditions:

SO the new tradition I am putting up on the bloggy is To The Nines Tuesday! And no this genius idea is not my own. Some of my girls from school thought it was a cute idea, and so I am sharing it with all of you!

So now, not only do you get to hear crazy randomsauce things about me, you get to dress up and feel pretty, too!

Win-win-win

So, here is my first To The Nines Tuesday outfit. I felt so adorable in this outfit, the last time I got to wear this dress was on my birthday!

Sorry my mirror is narsty. But it’s a black cardi, floral-printed dress, and black tights, all Forever 21. Necklace is a la Grandma CK. Love her<3

And, surprise! I got a new mascara:) It. rocks.

Sorry for the close-up eyeball shot. Didn’t mean to get all up in yo space:)

But I had to demonstrate that this. mascara. is BOMB.

Checkitt –> Maybelline’s The Falsies mascara. Floats my boat and rocks it. Buy this biznazz now, and be a cheapo like me:)

Bee tee dubs I was making a quinoa-hummus-raisin-balsamic bowl this morning (yes mid morning snack not for breakfast, not to say that hasn’t happened though), and I ALMOST FORGOT THE BALSAMIC. I tasted it and knew something was wrong. Yup poured on a giant pour of balsamic and all was right in the world.

p.s. I am so glad to hear that you guys are loving them as much as I am!! I love seeing tweets/pictures/emails about them, keep making bowls of deliciousness and spreading the love!

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Tangent Tuesday (except it’s Thursday ):

Oh so for a bit of tangentness for you, here are some randoms I’ve encountered over the last few days:

Most giant bag of chia seeds ever. Love you Padre!

Biggest container of garlic known to man. This is because I am a lazy loo people. And it tastes way better than fresh garlic when I make hummus!

Baseball Barrot of the YEAR

Why you lookin like a fool wit yo money on the ground?

Tiniest green been EVER. How cute is that?!

STOP – smoothie time! Banana, flax, hemp protein, blueberries, coconut oil, and carob powder. Teaspoon of xanthan for thickness. Get in mah belly.

Moon:) Awwwwoooooo! <—My she-wolf howl. Watch out Shakira, there’s a new wolf in town!

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Shake Yo Bootay:

Now that I am done with my randomness, here is a recap of my Wednesday night, and the reason for the title of this post!

I decided to go to a dance class for the first time in AGES (stopped seven years ago) because I was getting a hinkering for it again and I could tell because I found myself listening to classical music and doing plies. Rock on, sista!

Anywho, I went to a floor/barre class expecting some ballet action or at least some movement, but it was way boring. We didn’t do much at all, I was so bored, it is amazing the ways I think of to keep myself entertained. I am pretty sure the teacher was falling asleep too.

SO, I started talking with one of the other instructors and explained to her, LISTEN, I am a runner, I would like to do something that actually involves movement and sweat. She told me I should try out the intermediate and advanced classes. Cha-CHING! Checkin that shizz out next week. Way excited.

I was dancing literally even before I was born. The Madre was a dancer her whole young life, and danced at NYU and then for ten more years teaching dance classes at a studio in New York City. So basically I knew how to dance before I could walk (name that song!).

Sorry no pictures, figured it would be rude in the middle of a dance studio;)

That’s all for this morning loves! See you tomorrow for Indulgence Friday!

Did you dance when you were young? Do you still dance?

YES, and I thought running was my thang now and not so much dancing, but I realized that I still love ballet and contemporary. I’ll be testing the waters over the next few weeks:)

How will you be dressing To The Nines this Tuesday? Tell me about your favorite outfit!

This is defs one of my all-time faves. I just wish it were warm so I didn’t have to wear tights! I hate pants.

What is the last butt-whooping class you have taken?

Spinning. Errday. But it’s fine, totally worth it for a fine bootay!

xoxox,

I Found My Twinnie! [Indulgence Friday]

Good (afternoon) chickadees! How are you on this gloomy oomy Saturday?

Despite the gloom/rain/mush, I am j’adoring the warmth:) Yes, 47 degrees is a BIG DEAL in Upstate New York!

So yesterday was a bit crazy craze, sorry for no post loves! I had a sleepy day on Thursday, and then slept in a bit on Friday. I finally got to catch up on your bloggity blogs this morning! My Google Reader was full to the BRIM.

Anywhos, yesterday I cranked out another one of these spinning workouts at the gym, and then met my new bloggy friend Lisa for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Natural Oasis!

They have some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted, and it is dirt cheap. And since we all know I am a cheapo, this is the perfect place for me:)

Since I am a seasoned eater at Natural Oasis, she had me order for the table. I chose the Risotto, Ethiopian Spiced Lentils, Curried Red Lentils, Sauteed Kale and Collard Greens, and Brussels Sprouts with Cauliflower.

It all came with a giant pile of Injera, which is so. good. If you have never had Injera before, I urge you to go out to Ethiopian food tonight and try some. It is made of teff flour, which is crazy high in protein, and it is like gluten-free and vegan sourdough that you use as a plate/mop up stuff with. I could live on this stuff basically.

For dessert, we ordered some carroty deliciousness that involved raisins, so that is all I have to say about that:)

Okay, enough with the food. I am not going to lie, this was the most fun I have had in a LONG time. Me and Lisa are basically twinnies just not the same age. Our birthdays are four days apart, we have the same philosophy about food, and have the same interests in regards to public health/nutrition/where our interests lie.

We were talking for so long that we actually got kicked out of the restaurant. They had cleaned everything up, put on their coats ready to close, and turned off the lights. “Goooodniiiight!” <—In their saweet Ethiopian accents

Hahahaha they pretty much gave us every hint to PLEASE LEAVE NOW.

But not before we got a picture together, obvs.

Isn’t she gorg?! Go check out her bloggity blog, she is a culinary genius and just so fun to talk to. We are already planning on going to some crazy sounding classes that our gym has, so keep your eyes out for that:)

Hahahaha it is going to be so funny, did you know that our gym has a HULA HOOPING class?! It sounds crazy craze but the Madre took it awhile back and was crazy sore, so I am going to be laughing the whole time and then pay for it later by being sore. Karma people, karma:)

Slash we will also be making some raw deliciousness at her casa so get excited to see some yummy food in the near future! And hopefully running the Marine Core Half next year if I end up going to school in DC:)

That is all for today love bugs, I am off to the gymmy gym gym and then working on some papers before din din, and hopefully heading off to see some of my girls tonight! If not, more of an excuse to make some Raw Chocolate Mousse

See you tomorrow morning bloggy boos! You will be seeing the post that was SUPPOSED to go up yesterday but didn’t because I am a lazy loo and slept in:) Aka, get ready for a Reader’s Request on my favorite go-to-snacks and meals on-the-go!

How did you celebrate Indulgence Friday?

ETHIOPIAN FOOD and making a new friend!:)

What is your favorite Ethiopian dish? Or if you don’t dig Ethiopian food, what is your favorite thing to order at a restaurant?

Ethiopian food: Lentils and injera. A match made in heaven:) Other restaurants: Raw Pizza!

Have you met someone through the blog world that you just “clicked” with?

Yessss, we are twinnies duh!

xoxox,

It’s a Pizza Pie! [Gluten-Free Pizza for One]

So I know I promised y’all a pizza recipe for last night, but let’s just say I had a stat project (due today at noon, how does that even happen?), then I spent way too long stalking the college I got into yesterday, and there was pizza involved. Oh, and cookies…and marzipan. Have I ever mentioned my obsession with marzipan? Yeah, I could eat the stuff for breakfast.

After my amazing morning, I skipped off to the gym and took an amazing spin class with this teacher who said he is 61 years old but I do not believe him because this guy was jacked and had way too much spunk to be grandpa-age.

No offense if you happen to be 61 and a dude and reading this. My apologies:)

But this spin class – I cannot even describe. It was an endurance spin that I came in late to (I caught the last hour or so), and my gym got NEW SPIN BIKES!! Ahhhh I was peeing basically. But then the first three bikes I tried were either squeaking, had wobbly handles, or were behind a really tall sweaty guy (I don’t exactly dig that sort of thing).

So once I got on my bike, the sweat started pouring and the windows were so fogged up that I actually thought that it might start raining in the spin room.

That’s what I like to call a hard core group of spinee’s.

Once I was done kicking some surrious spinee ass, I headed home and made the most glorious pizza that has ever entered my belly.

And yes, I was given permission by the Universe to eat copious amounts of pizza because it was VEGAN PIZZA DAY!! Ahhh I love holidays dedicated to food

The pictures look icky because of flourescent lighting. Someone want to send me a light box for my birthday? I would love you forever:)

Don’t judge my ugly pizza. It was delicious.

Amy’s Low-Sodium Marinara (because I’m cheap and don’t make my own), sliced baby bellas, 1/4 of a chopped red onion, and nooch. Cheesy, creamy, mushroomy, delicious.

Git in mah belly.

Since you guys are SO kind to me and don’t judge my fugly food, I will give you the recipe for the best single-serving pizza I have ever made in my life (and it took me approximately 2.54 seconds to mix together, I know I am supawoman).

Again, please do not judge the ugliness and blurriness of the photograph. You are all blessed souls and I will pay you all back in love and unicorns when we all meet in heaven (okay that sounded really morbid, let’s make it easier and have a bloggy meetup in real life and eat lots of pizza and cookies ).

I don’t know quite what to say, except just make this. You can thank me later.

Plus, it’s redonkulously high in protein and fulfills both carbs and protein for your din din. Check, and check.

Gluten-Free Pizza for One

Adapted from CleanEatingChelsey

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup buckwheat or quinoa flour
• 1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. xanthan gum
• 1 tsp. active yeast
• 1/4 tsp. stevia
• 1/2 tsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup warm water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a cookie sheet with EVOO.
2. Combine dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. Spread out with wet hands to your desired shape/thickness, and then cook without toppings for 5 minutes.
4. Add toppings and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
5. Slice and enjoy!

I topped mine with marinara, baby bellas, spinach lettuce, and nooch. If you dig cheese, load it with that but I’m good with my shrooms and lettuce:)

Yumsky.

Served with a hugh jass salad on the side. Baby spinach, artichoke hearts, green beans, carrots, and tomatoes dressed in balsamic and EVOO.

BAM. Satisfied tummy:)

Then I got hungry again and had a ton of cookies, a banana with almond butter, and some quinoa/lentil/raisin mixtures in my Robin Hood mug. Yes, it does exist, and no I was not joking when I tweeted about this.

Doesn’t that just make you smile?

Look at him all ferocious with his bow and arrow…roaaaaar I am Robin Hood!

Hahahahaha.

I crack myself up.

Have a good morning lovlies! I’m off to church, and then I’ll be digging into leftover pizza and injera with the uncle and the rest of the fam. There will probably be a workout squeezed in there too:)

What are your Sunday plans?

Church, eat cookies, work out, SLEEP:)

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

‘Shrooms and spinach lettuce but I was all out because I am a rabbit and eat a pound of it every other day.

Do you have any mugs that make you smile?

Yesss Robin Hood and I also have one from Disney World with all of the Pooh characters chasing each other:)

Happy Sunday!

xoxox,

Indulgence Friday

Good morning bloggie babes! And Happy Indulgence Friday

This is going to be a new tradition on CK, inspired by the dear Mama Hall (my lit teacher, I love her and she is my idol). You can thank the chocolate gods for this woman, she told me about how Friday is her “indulgence day”, and I knew I had to spread the love!

So, I’ll be starting off the day right with a hugh jass bowl of cookie dough (go have some, I swear to goodness you will never turn back). Because I’ll be getting my sweat on in a few minutes and then meeting with Mama Hall herself about an essay on Frankenstein (which is the best book ever, beeteedubs), I will be much too busy/sweaty/hungry to take a picture so here is a recycled picture of said deliciousness:

This deserves a giant “holy yumsky”. I cannot get enough of cookie dough bowls, and once you try one, neither will you. I literally have to restrain myself every morning to not eat the whole thing in two seconds flat (not to say it hasn’t happened). It’s that good.

I had it classic-style with Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood, my fave protein powder, maca, and tons of cacao nibs. Plus tons of berries, obv. It adds volume and therefore takes longer to eat, maximizing the deliciousness and duration of the bowl.

It’s science.

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Yesterday’s workout:

• 30 minutes ellipticizing
• 15 minutes spin
  • Bottoms Up, Trey Songz and Nicki (jumps)
  • Telephone, Gaga and Beyonce (climbing out of the saddle)
  • Firework, Katy Perry (sprints)
  • Like a G6 (4-second jumps)
  • Magic, B.o.B (hard, steady cadence in the seat)
  • Dynamite, Taio Cruz (sprint in the saddle)
• 15 minutes ellipticizing
• 10 minutes arm circuit weights

(Source)

I only wish I looked that good after a spinning class – instead I am a deliciously sweaty mess who is happy off endorphins but on the hunt for cookie dough. I’m serious, this stuff is like healthy protein deliciousness for my tummy!:)

As you can see, my workout ADD was flaring up and the Today Show was not up to par in the entertainment department. Hoda and Kathy Lee are toomuch:)

(Source)

Haha:)

So, I watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days most of the time on my iPod because nothing good was on, which is disappointing considering I don’t have cable and my gym has every channel known to man.

Today I’ll (hopefully) be running, and most likely using the spin bike/stair stepper. My hammy has NOT been happy with me lately, so I’ve been taking it easy and kicking toosh on the spin bike instead:) Injuries = no bueno, so I’ll see how it feels.

I should probably get a foam roller…anyone know where to get an inexpensive one? I’m a cheapo:)

Slash send me these ones, it is almost my birthday (okay not really, it’s in July), and these are pretty:) I will be your best friend forever and ever if you send me anything actually, especially if it is 100% dark chocolate or one of those new Blueberry Muffin Larabars that I can’t wait to get my hands on! (hint hint)

(Source)

Oh, and next time after my long run, an ice bath might be a good idea! I refuse to risk an injury, even if it means soaking in freezing cold water in the dead of winter (anyone want to send me some sunshine?! much appreciated:)). Of course, once I’ve gotten sick of the ice I’ll blast the hot shower and vow to never take an ice bath again – but then I will:)

And for all of you fitness chicas, here is an interesting article I found through Brendan Brazier’s website that he contributed to! It’s great information for athletes of all levels, and speaks to important things such as pre- and re-fueling, as well as fueling throughout the day. Yum I love eating:)

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In other notes, my awesome uncle is flying in from New Joisey midday, so we’ll be having a riotous old time showing him the (cold) sights of Upstate New York while trying to not freeze:)

Slash we will most likely be going out for Indian food tonight which makes me obnoxiously happy because I am needing my chana masala fix, and FAST! I do not kid when it comes to food.

Double slash I will be sure to indulge in something delicious, I just do not know what yet. Should I roll with pancakes for lunch? Or perhaps a bit of banana soft serve with my bowl of melted chocolate? Maybe I should roll with some cookies, I am craving chocolate chippage! We will see:)

What is your Friday workout?

Mine better be running or I will explode.

How are you celebrating Indulgence Friday?

Uhhh, eating. A lot:)

Is it cold where you are? And can you send me some sunshine?

Please and thank you:)

Happy Indulgence Friday! See you later alligators:)

xoxox,

You Spin Me Right Round

Good morning bloggies! I hope everyone has had a good weekend:)

When I woke up this morning I was HANGRY (despite my late-night noshing..almond butter, anyone?). So, I started my morning with this GLORIOUS bowl of oats. Nom nom nom.

Into the pot went:

• oats
• Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
• an itty bitty banana
• mixed up with Vega Sport vanilla protein powder (after cooking)
• topped with: almond buttah and LOTS of berries. I was craving them, can you tell?

Roooooarrr I love how green the Vega makes my oats:) It’s like a pop of color in my morning!

Thankfully, it’s a beauuutiful sunny day! It makes up for the obnoxious amount of work I have to do today.

The view out my window.

I’m too lazy to go outside in the freezing cold first thing in the morning;)

During breakfast, I read another two chapters or so of Crazy Sexy Diet. I’m addicted! It is SO good, and it’s encouraging me to try out more raw foods. Did I mention that Kris Karr is hilarious? I love a girl with spunk!

I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a healthier life, being vegetarian, vegan, raw, preventing disease, or trying to cure disease.

Slash I recommend this book to EVERYONE. It’s like The China Study in layman’s terms, which is what our country (and our world) needs.

Did you know more than two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese? The stats are even scarier for kids under the age of FIVE. Something needs to be done. Kris to the rescue!

Since my wisdom teeth have been KILLING me as of late (I’ve been needing to get them out for, what, 2 months now?), I’ve been up on the ibuprofen. I woke up at 4am to drilling pain in my mouth and sprinted downstairs to get the bottle.

The on-call surgeon offered to prescribe me narcotics but I didn’t want to get loopy. Instead, he’s letting me up the ibuprofen and add Tylenol, but I’m just sticking with the regular dose of the ‘profen. Less chemicals in my body = the better.

So, oatmeal, quinoa flakes, and soft fruit have been my food of choice. And sweet potaters. I can never get enough;)

Last night I tried to make a pizza-like quinoa flakes combo, but it tasted AWFUL. I added nooch, tomato paste, and italian seasoning, hoping for a pizza-like flavor.

Smelled awesome, tasted foul. Too much tomato paste! Lesson learned: a little goes a long way.

That’s avocado and beans for healthy fats + more protein. I was sad when all of the ‘cado was covered in my nasty concoction. Boooo, at least that was most of what I scarfed down!

To make up for my experiment, I cooked up another pot of quinoa flakes and added my mama’s pear-sauce, raisins, and beans. Ahhh, much better:)

Before that, I took an AMAZING spin class. I’m addicted to spinning, and it’s been my favorite group class along with Body Pump since last year. The teacher was adorable, must have been in her fifties or sixties, and she was a POWERHOUSE. From a little lady, you would not expect such spunk. Love it.

Among the benefits of Spinning are:

• It’s calorie-torching
• Improve your cardiovascular endurance and health
• Time flies
• It’s low impact
• You can take it at your own pace
• Leg tonage
• Lowering your body’s workout breaking point (becoming more efficient, and releasing endorphins more quickly)
• It works your core
• Group mentality – it’s fun!
• Improved mental stamina
• Improve overall strength

If you haven’t tried spinning yet, I highly recommend it! It’s so much fun, and it makes me feel like supawomannnnn;)

That’s all for now! Time for me to go to church:) Today’s a rest day (at least that’s the plan), and I didn’t bother to shower this morning. At least I did my makeup and put on a cute oufit, right? Sorry God, it’s not you, it’s me.

On another note, one of my New Year’s rezzies is to improve my relationship with God. During this trying time, I’ve been finding a lot of comfort in prayer and in the prayers of others. I’m hoping to read the Bible this year, from cover to cover:)

Have you had your wisdom teeth out? How did you deal with the pain? Slash did you do anything funny after the surgery (vicodin ha)?

I better do something funny. I told my sister to videotape me. Expect a hilarious video a few weeks from now:)

Has anything in your life strengthened your relationship with God? Tell me your stories!

Yes, but that is for another post:)

Have you ever tried Spinning?

Yes, duh. I am going to be a spinning instructor in college, I’m doing the training this summer hollllla:)

xoxox,