Fabulously Fit Friday 20

Oh, before you start reading, I’m just going to say, I decided to insert random pictures of my dinners from the week, mmkay? Ok, carry on.

This has been a crazy busy week! I’ve been running around nonstop (which is good, because I’m going to be busy this weekend and plan on taking some time off from working out). Between organizing trips, baking, and always finding myself in a grocery store, I don’t know how I get anything done.

Funny how that happens, right? No matter how much I try to avoid the grocery store and save money, I find myself in one, browsing, picking up armloads of new things I just “have to” try. I really am trying hard to save money! I was so happy when I went to Whole Foods on Friday and literally only spent $9! I texted everyone I knew to tell them how good I was. And I Tweeted to Whole Foods that I need a visit from the Vitamix fairy, because although their demonstrations are fun, it’s just mean to taunt a girl who has had a Vitamix on her wishlist since…forever.

It’s just comforting to know that there are other girls out there with the same struggle 😉

Anyways, I have a fun and exhausting weekend ahead of me, and I promise to take lots of pictures! If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you’ll probably see it all! And may I just say, I’m so amazed and loving all of the new followers I’ve acquired lately. I truly thank you all (those of you who have been there since Day 1 [mom] and those who just hopped onto the Treats train), because you’re the reason why I can still be so excited about blogging, baking healthy treats, and sharing my pictures and feelings every week! Thank you all.

Ok, enough of me being sappy (and enough of my random dinner pics)…

One last thing! Take a peek to the right! I have a big beautiful ad for QuestBar over there now! I’ll elaborate more another day, but I’m SO excited to be a member of the Quest Affiliate family! I brag about their bars here all the time and I wouldn’t ever advertise for a product that I don’t truly stand behind, so I am so excited to have them on my sidebar! It’s a favorite of mine and a lot of my readers, and if you haven’t tried them, you definitely should! Just make sure you click the link then explore all the flavors, order, and enjoy! Email me if you need recommendations…but I’m partial to pretty much all of them, just to warn you! (And I’d love love love for you to click through to Quest for all of your future orders too…just sayin!)

This Week’s Treats:

Maple Cinnamon Oatcakes (with maple cinnamon peanut butter sauce!):

Peanut Butter Banana Granola Bars (no-bake, gluten-free, vegan):

 

The Sweaty Breakdown:

Friday (3/1/2013): I worked with my trainer for abs and arms today! I spent the morning at the doctor, and I really should have eaten something to replenish my blood sugar supply, but instead, I was a nummy (that’s a technical term) and ate a healthy salad with chicken…no sugars. Thus, I had a very exhausting, dizzying workout with my trainer. I also knocked out 30 minutes of cardio between the bike and the treadmill.

Saturday: I had a really hard time working up the energy to workout. Sometimes I spend more time trying to figure out a legit excuse not to go to the gym (one I’ll be satisfied with later when the guilt sets in) than it would’ve taken me to workout! So, I compromised (with me) and popped in a yoga DVD and knocked it out.

Sunday: Today I completed a 40 minute mixed cardio workout (bike and elliptical) then my fiance and I took the dogs for a walk around the city!

Monday: I had a random day off today, and it happened to be beautiful outside (yup, 65 degrees and sunny!) so I took my dog on a walk, then I took a solo walk around town, to the post office, to a Starbucks, then home!

Tuesday: Because this was my first day of work this week, I woke up to knock out my “Monday morning” routine, which is an early HIIT workout on the treadmill. Here it is:

Wednesday: Today I worked my arms and core with my trainer! I finished the circuit she had planned early, so I did some “extra credit” body weight suspended pull ups and bicep curls for the win!

Thursday: Rest day!! I know I haven’t taken a rest day in awhile, but that’s because I have a lot of family things to deal with over the weekend and know that I probably won’t be working out and may not be able to have the healthiest meals, so I’m preparing myself.

 

Fabulous Fitness Finds:

Earth Balance* – Coconut Peanut Butter and Coconut Butter Spread

These two products are amazing (though the TJ’s bananas are amazing too!)! The butter spread works so well in place of butter in baking. And the coconut peanut butter tastes dreamy (seriously, you can’t go wrong with coconut AND peanut butter) and melts into a silky smooth wonderfall to pour over yogurt or oats…or just about anything. I found the coconut peanut butter in Kroger’s “natural foods” section (the tiny corner where they shove the good organic stuff) and the coconut butter spread I got from Whole Foods! And there’s totally a coupon for the butter spread at Whole Foods in their March/April flyer (if they have those at your location!)

*I was not monetarily compensated for saying good things about these products. I bought them with my own hard-earned pennies, tasted them, died from heavenly goodness overload, and had to brag about it here.

Designer Whey Protein* – Protein White Hot Chocolate

Ok, so I reviewed D.W. Protein here last week, and bragged endlessly about them. I made awesome Carrot Cake Protein Cookies, remember? Well, I couldn’t stop there. I made Protein White Hot Chocolate too! You could totally make it a regular chocolate Protein Hot Chocolate, but I have the White Chocolate protein powder…so you get where this is going.

I haven’t had hot chocolate in awhile, yet it is one of my absolute favorite winter indulgences. I also have been known to mix up a white hot chocolate or two to change things up a bit. Well, I got a hankering for a creamy dreamy hot drink the other night (it was freezing outside!), and this came to mind! Here’s the recipe, it’s super simple, and you’ll glug it down! Plus, the top gets frothy, which is amazing, meaning you don’t even need marshmallows (but don’t let me stop you from throwing a few in if you want).

Protein White Hot Chocolate (makes 2 servings)

1/2 scoop White Chocolate protein powder (Designer Whey)

1/2 scoop French Vanilla Protein Powder (Designer Whey)

16-20 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk (depending on how much you both want)

~In two microwave-safe mugs, divide the milk. Heat until hot but not boiling (in my microwave, that takes just 1 minute).

~Stir 1/2 of each protein flavor into each mug (so each mug get’s 1/4 scoop of White Chocolate and 1/4 scoop of French Vanilla). Stir carefully until completely dissolved. Enjoy!

*Yes, we’ve already been through this, remember? I was sent the Designer Whey protein free of charge to me in exchange for an honest review (organized by FitFluential, LLC)! Everything I say about this product is 100% my own opinion.