Friday Fives (5s) -- Post V

Not everything always fits into the theme of a Blog Post -- So I wanted to start a collection of things I'm currently crushing over each week that didn't necessarily get captured in my posting.

This will be the fifth post of a series called Friday Fives (5s)

{One}

Great Motivation from Tone It Up girls

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

 
The same can be said for many things..

If you lead, you're a leader.If you cook, you're a cooker.If you teach, you're a teacher.If you learn, you're a learner.If you sing, you're a singer.If you love, you're a lover.

No tests, no licenses, no membership cards. Just lead. Just cook. Just teach. Just learn. Just sing. Just love. Just be you <3

I love that.

{Two}

Riley is a cuddler.

I love this about her.  No matter where I go in the apartment she follows me and just snuggles.

{Three}

My Berry Filling for these delicious pastries!!! So good!  Had on an English Muffin too :)

{and guess what -- it's healthy?!}

{Four}

GREEN SPINACH SHAKE!!

Don't worry, you can't even taste the spinach! 

The Protein Shake tastes like a Chocolate Peanut Butter Reeses....

{Five}

SOUP.

Nothing is better on a cold day than warm soup. 

Yesterday I had Broccoli Squash Cheese soup in the cafe and then Amy's Minestrone Soup for dinner with a salad... I could eat soup for almost every meal!

Questions for the Day:

What are you loving this week?

Any big plans for the weekend? Workouts? Dinner Dates?

Do you believe in the superstitions surrounding ::gasp:: Friday the 13th?

5k Race Recap - Corporate Challenge - First Running Race EVER

I was up *bright and early* for my first running race!!

Pre-Race Game Face:

Mike's Pre Race Swagger:

{Dear Lord WhydidIletthiscrazygirltalkmeintothisrace???}

Most Importantly --> I  WE COMPLETED THE ENTIRE 5K RACE WITHOUT WALKING!!!

Let's start back with the training for this race...

It wasn't too formal, I really didn't want to psych myself out -- I reminded myself it was just a 5k.  I ran 2 miles several times, and ran 2 5k's inside on the treadmill with ~10min average miles, but up until two weeks before the race I was slightly unsure I could complete my 5k outside.  Texas heat had been scorching lately with 110+ degree highs leaving me little practice on outside runs.  Luckily, a week and a half before the race, we got a slight break in extreme temperatures and had an evening at a cool 93 deg F.

Yes.. that was cool to me!! And there was even a nice breeze to go along with it! 

So Mike and I got all geared up to complete our first outside 5k...

"Let's Do This Thing!!!!"

We finished out outside 5k in 29 minutes - yipee!!!!

Although, I have to say, by the end of that I was huffing and puffing like The Little Engine That Could!

{source}

Accomplishing this 'Test Race' really helped me calm my nerves and have confidence going into the race that it was possible and that I could do it.  The week before the race I completed one smaller run and tried to eat a healthy diet of proteins/carbs/veggies including a protein shake each morning.

The day of the race Mike and I had our new favorite version of our favorite protein shake!!

Banana Split Shake

1 - 1 1/2 frozen bananas

1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter

1 Serving Chocolate Syrup (yum!)

1 Scoop Low Carb Whey Chocolate Protein Powder

1/4 cup Vanilla Maple Arctic Zero

1 - 1 1/2 cups Vanilla Almond Milk (unsweetened)

1 pinch Guar Gum for thickening

*optional - add one Truvia packet*

We also brought a granola bar to the race as well as water bottles -- just in case the hunger monster crept in!

Oh yes, and I added my secret weapon to the shake...

iced coffee.

{Click Keep Reading for more of my Race Recap!}

 

Breakfast Shakes - An Update

Rude.

But, if you show up in my yard with a milkshake, that's a whole other story...

Speaking of, my mornings as of lately have been started with a Protein Shake 99.9% of the time.  Okay I guess that's a lie, because that would mean out of the past 1000 days I only skipped the protein shake once... and 1000 days ago I hadn't even discovered the delicious secret incredient to making the best protein shakes ever.  But who's counting?  What are you -- a math major like me???

So to recap, important take away from My First Shake Post:

The secret ingredient to the perfect morning protein shake?  ICE CREAM!!!!!

Unfamilliar with my first post on the *basis* of making a delicious protein shake?  Read it now.

{Final Product}

So here are a few things I've learned about ways to mix up/make shakes:

1. Guar Gum is a thickener/emulsifier that you can add to make your shakes extra creamy.

2.  Frozen Bananas are a natural sweetener to your shake and also pair well with chocolate & peanut butter (even if you aren't a huge banana lover, like me)

**Tip: Just make sure to cut the banana into 1 inch slices and put into a tupperware container before you freeze them.  The first time I froze a banana I just stuck in the whole thing -- trust me, it's impossible to peel if you do it that way haha

3.  Cake is a delicious flavor.  Use vanilla and coconut oil or coconut milk to help achieve this effect.  Inspiration here. 

{Compliments ChocolateCoveredKatie}

4.  If you're adding PB into your shake, add a spoonful of Wheat Germ as well to pump up your folic acid, fiber, and protein!

{I'm practically a super food!!}

5. All shakes are even better when delivered to you by your adoring BF.

He's a very smart man.  I'm not much of a morning person but he's learned that handing me a deliciously cool creamy shake in the morning puts a smile back on my face and a pep in my step. 

So I have to ask, what do you add to your shakes?  Any tips/tricks/favorite recipes??

 

*Inspired* - Fitness Must Haves {omg I love way too many things}

This post was inspired by a Get Fit for 2011 Challenge posted by FitSugar {a very addicting site!}.

As I've continued on my journey of becoming even more active and living a healthier lifestyle I've picked up some new gear on the way and here are some of my favorites:

K-Swiss Tubes (Running Shoes)

I had never owned anything K-Swiss prior to these, but am a *huge* fan of Jillian Michaels and decided to try them out.  I found them in a Famous Footwear, put them on, and ran up and down the aisles countless times to make sure the shoes were legit.  I'm not sure if it is the tube technology, or just in my head, but I really do feel as if I'm springing forward slightly when I wear them.  I think they're great for cross training, squats, lunges, and short runs

My other athletic shoes are the Mizuno Wave Rider 14's
 

(Found in a post by a fellow FitSugar Reader) I saw them on sale at Nordstroms and loved the color (black & lavender) because darker sneakers don’t get dirty as quickly when you’re running outside! Okay… they get dirty just as quickly but they don’t show it
 

{Just Click to Keep Reading!}

The Mean Green Caffeine Machine - TGIF

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That being said, it doesn't take much to put a smile on my face... just a few more hours until the weekend.

This morning I was running late but never too late to throw together a delicious shake in the blender.  This morning's shake was inspired by Julie's blog Peanut Butter Fingers. 

{She's cute, fun, and her posts are often hilarious!}

I call it - the Mean Green Caffeine Machine.

• Vanilla Almond Milk
• Mocha Iced Coffee from Whole Foods (too lazy to brew any myself, plus I like it pre-made and cold!)
• 1/2 cup Coffee Flavored Arctic Zero (read about this here)
• 1 tbsp Hershey's Chocolate Syrup - because it's Friday, and I deserve it :)
• 1 scoop Low Carb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
• 2 huge handfuls of Spinach (thank you Julie for this tip!)
• 1/2 a packet of Truvia (because I was having a SERIOUS sweets craving)
• 4 ice cubes

Blend it all together and...

Voila!!  Enough energry to get you through your Friday morning!

{or any morning really}

Sadly, the picture doesn't do justice to the totally Boss greenish tint the spinach gives the smoothie :( 

The spinach really doesn't affect the taste of the smoothie at all, Julie was right!  Don't believe me?  Check out the post that inspired me here.  Plus, Jillian Michaels considers spinach a super food - one that could possibly save the world, and on her scale of rating foods she gives it a 10 which is good enough for me! 

(Although, no matter how much spinach I cram into my morning shakes I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sport rock hard abs like this woman!)

Question for the day:  What's your favorite way to start your Friday morning?  Are you a fan of spinach?



Fitness Foodie Review - Best B'fast Shake ta' Make!

The secret ingredient to the perfect morning protein shake?  ICE CREAM!!!!!

Hold on, I did title this 'Fitness' Foodie Review, right?  So am I out of my mind saying that you should add ice cream to your morning shake?  nope.  I discovered the absolute BEST ice cream by Arctic Zero, the nutrition label reads just like a low carb protein powder and they use the natural sweetness found in monk fruit to give the ice cream such a delicious flavor. 

• 150 calories per pint & all natural
• Fat free & gluten free
• Lactose intolerant friendly
• Contains 8 grams of fiber
• 16 grams of whey protein concentrate

So, you can add a half pint of this baby to your morning shake (1 cup) for only 75 calories which is less than a cup of 2% milk.  I really love this option because it gives the shake a more consistant consistancy (LOL), unlike ice cubes which no matter how long you leave the blender on always seem to leave it a bit chunky. 

With that, the recipe for one DELICIOUS Chocolate Protein Smoothie!

If you want a healthier version trade out the chocolate syrup for frozen strawberries - also delicious!  OR I enjoy a Mocha Madness Protein Shake as well.. just add some iced coffee!  Really, the possibilities are endless.