A Little Raw Today: Greenie

Here it is...my first Green Monster...Angela is doing it, and so is Kath...
This is part of my flirting with a more raw food, and more vegan lifestyle.
It was hard to think about not diving into my favorite egg white breakfast this morning, but once I started assembling this monster, I got a little excited about it.
In the humble little blender this morning went
1. frozen strawberries (local, organic)
2. fresh spinach
3. almond milk (about 1/2c)
4. frozen banana
It made a huge amount, keeping me well satiated until my scheduled morning snack. It tasted good- believe me. No 'green' flavor at all. And I had BOUNDLESS energy this morning- whether that's because of an awesome sleep last night, 2 cups of coffee or this greenie I don't know (and don't want to perform isolated trials to figure it out).
I'm waiting to see if the sugars (natural, but sugar none the less) will give me a headache later in the day as they have done before. So far so good though, and if this proves to be a cost effective and healthy alternative I may make these a staple in my meal plans.

Weekly Nutrition: Spring changes

I've craved fresh, raw fruits and vegetables since there have been signs of spring abound. So you can see more light, cool dishes in my meals this week.
1. 6 Egg whites, 2 handfuls spinach, 1 handful mushrooms
2. 1/2c Raw oats with almond milk, raisins and ground flax
3. 2c raw spinach, 1/2c rice and beans, vinaigrette
4. 2c raw veggies (mostly broccoli and carrots)
5. BIG bowl of salad including avocado and hemp hearts
Some treats over the week included:
Some almond-banana oat cookies, some trail mix, some gluten-free crackers and cheese. I had a treat just about every other day- just not tightening up my nutrition like I would like to. Not going to beat myself up about it because my workouts have been AWESOME, and included more HIIT circuit training c/o Jillian Michaels.

Almond-Banana Oat Cookies

(Gluten-free, Dairy Free)
Preheat oven to 350F
2 frozen medium bananas
1c almond butter
1/4c coconut oil
1/2c honey or agave nectar
1c splenda
Combine all above in a food processor until smooth
11/2 tsp baking soda
3c gluten-free oats
1/2c ground almonds
Mix together, then pour wet ingredients from processor into bowl. Add chocolate chips and stir by hand.
Drop golf-ball size mounds onto parchment lined cookie sheet (makes about 18). Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just browned, and peaks golden.
Enjoy this treat!

Weekly Training

Circuits are from Jillian Michaels Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD.
Monday: Circuits 1&2, 30 min treadmill
Tuesday: 50 min spin class
Wednesday: Circuits 3&5, 50 min yoga sculpt class
Thursday: 30 min Morning Yoga, 35 min treadmill
Friday: Circuits 6&7, 40 min treadmill
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: 30 min treadmill

The Awakening

I just had to laugh, google images for 'awakening' all came up with zombie pictures...thought it was funny we're all a bunch of zombies coming out of the Canadian winter...pasty white, hungry and restless. Image from: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2009/09/giant_arms_legs_and_head_the_awakening_coming_to_st_louis_chesterfield.php
That's how I am feeling. Yesterday I didn't get my butt out of bed for an am sweat session and hurt for it during the day- depressed, sad, melancholy and self-pity. Today, a 530am 20 min HIIT session followed by sun salutations lifted my spirits rightly for the morning and I know today will be higher energy and better attitude for it.
My body is awakening to the spring, naturally getting up earlier and wanting to stay up later. It's also craving for movement. Slower yoga strength is what my body longed for during the dark, dreary winter months, but now that the sun is shining I can barely contain myself...sometimes literally bouncing in place because I need to move! My meals are also changing...stay tuned for a summary of each later this week.
My workouts will show you how I adjusted to give me what I want. What changes are you making now that the sun has come to Canada?

Training: Post Vacation

As I said, it's back to normal this week. Even a little light because I'm battling heavy headaches this week-don't know what that is about. Must be air pressure because my nutrition has been spot on since returning from a week long vacation.
Monday: recovery from 12 hour airport to airport trip-OFF to sleep!
Tuesday: 30 Min Baptiste Vinyasa Power Flow 3 from www.yogadownload.com, 50 min spin class
Wednesday: OFF- migraine (WTF? Haven't had one in months!)
Thursday: 30 min cardio (treadmill)
Friday: 30 min Hip Opening Vinyasa from www.yogadownload.com, 30 min elliptical hills
Saturday(plan): 45 min Workout video (Women's Health Ultimate Fat Burn dvd)
Sunday(plan): 45min cardio (treadmill or jog outside)

We are out of town again this weekend, beginning tomorrow morning; whatever workouts I get in will be great to help me feel up to the challenge of traveling.

Post-Vacay Plan

So, the big event is over- the bikini's are packed away until July (bikini season is late in Canada!), and the mojito's are no longer 'all inlusive'. What now? We've all been there- leaned out for an event or trip, perhaps a school reunion or wedding. From experience, I would suggest that most return from these events and think they have to 'diet' to 'make up' for the drinks and food, and perhaps lax workout schedule they indulged in. And what, perchance, do I have to say about that? I say- NO-RMAL!
Yes, that's right. Just go back to your regular eating and workout plan before you started your leaning out program. If you're like me, you worked your butt off (seriously) to look good for the event, basked in the success of it, drank mojito's like they were running out of rum and need a little rest from my relaxing vacation. Get back into your normal, rational and easy swing of things. Don't punish yourself, don't diet to cancel out any of the calories (I don't call them calories, I call them FUN!) you had at the event.
You will naturally and effortlessly return to your balanced state of mind and body. For me, that's 30 min yoga a day, and 30 min cardio a day with a healthy balanced meal plan (which you will see more of later this week).
So put away those thoughts of punishment and atonement for your good time. Get back to being yourself, in your healthiest and most easily accomplished way possible. Less fight, more success.