Wiiipe Out

So there I was… about three minutes into my run.

Beyoncé was singing her little lungs out telling me how I “wasn’t ready for her jelly.” I was feelin’ the music and setting my pace for the five miles ahead.

Apparently Sadie was feeling extra chipper this morning because she and found a stick and proceeded to jump around in front of me, trying to entice me with the big piece of wood almost immediately.

“No!” I told her.

“She knows not what she says. She clearly means OH YES! I want to play! What an awesome stick!” Sadie thought.

Usually when Sadie does this, it only lasts for 20 seconds or so, but today she was jumping around for a good minute or two. Eventually she jumped around behind me and my left foot got caught under her body and I went flying to the ground.

The result? A bloody knee.

Me and My Bum Knee

Though I was a little peeved at Sadie, she immediately got back into my good graces when she ran over to me to give me lots of kisses and a puppy hug.

How could I stay mad at this face?

"Oops. I Saw-ree, Mama."

Luckily my knee was just scraped up a bit and didn’t hurt too badly so we were able to dust ourselves off and complete our five mile run.

5 Mile Run Stats

Aside from the lil’ wipe out in the beginning, today’s run was a great one!

Breakfast

Just like my post-run breakfast on Tuesday, I was feelin’ a cold smoothie packed with fruit and protein.

Enter my piña colada green monster.

Pina Colada Green Monster

Into the blender went:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/3 c. chopped pineapple
• 2 tsp. coconut extract
• 1 tsp. banana extract
• 1 large handful spinach
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp. xanthan gum (for thickening)
• 3 ice cubes
• Enough milk to get everything movin’

Looks Minty... But It's Not

Drink Up, Buttercup

Guuuuulp

Yum!

Hopefully the spinach in my smoothie will do my body good like it did Popeye’s and help heal my busted knee! 😀

Question of the Morning

Have you ever injured yourself while working out or playing sports?

Green Monster Couple

Ryan has officially come over to the dark side.

As I was making a green monster smoothie for myself for breakfast, Ryan requested a smoothie for him to enjoy as well. When I asked if he wanted spinach in his, he said “Sure, why not?”

All systems go! 😀

His & Hers Green Monsters

I made us his and hers smoothies that contained:

• Lots o’ spinach
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 frozen banana
• Handful frozen strawberries
• 5 ice cubes
• ½ c. blueberry yogurt
• 1 tsp. Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum (for thickness)
• Cold water

It's Officially Impossible to Make a Green Monster Look Tasty

The verdict from Ryan?

Exact quote: “This is good. Like really good.”

I think that means he liked it. 😉

Green Monster Duo

(Yes, that is Mario Bros. on in the background. On our last trip to visit Ryan’s mom, he snagged his old Super Nintendo set and fell in love all over again.)

Workout

Our green monsters were the perfect post-workout fuel. I decided to sleep in a bit this morning (if you call waking up at 6:15 a.m. sleeping in…) and did my own total-body weights workout instead of my typical BodyPump class.

My workout looked like this:

Total Body Weights Workout

(Note: The weight noted in the chart above is the total weight used. Ex: For biceps I used two 15 pound dumbbells, totaling 30 pounds.)

I super-setted (did two exercises in a row before repeating them) deadlifts with shoulder raises and bicep curls with tricep dips which kept my heart rate up and made my workout fly by!

Though I’m such a huge fan of BodyPump, I think I may try to start working in one day of my own total-body workout to challenge new muscles and keep my body guessing.

Question of the Day

Have you ever coerced anyone close to you into trying a green monster or other odd healthy recipe? How did it go over?

Coffeefied Green Monster

Today’s breakfast = A coffeefied green monster!

A green monster isn’t complete without the key ingredient…

Spinach!

I added two large handfuls to my smoothie, which changed the color to the nasty Army-green color that we all know and love.

Lots o' Leaves

Fresh Spinach

My smoothie contained:

• 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
• 6 oz. Barnie’s French vanilla coffee, brewed
• 1/2 Starbucks Via instant coffee packet
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 5 ice cubes
• 1 tsp. Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum (for thickening)

Poooour

Filled Up

The J Cup Means this Smoothie is Mine 😉

Gulp!

Bridesmaid Dress Thank Yooou

Thank you all for your compliments on my bridesmaid dress selection.

The process of selecting the dress was a long one that had me feeling a little anxious. I wanted to pick a beautiful, classy dress that everyone would feel comfortable and confident in, which is so much easier said than done.

I hope all of my bridesmaids like the dress and feel beautiful on my big day!

Also, for those of you who expressed concern about the color, I held the cashmere-colored dress up to my bridal gown and I promise the color looks deep and doesn’t look white at all when compared to my ivory gown. My bridesmaids will carry bouquets of yellow, gold, white and ivory flowers which will brighten the look a bit as well.  Have no fear, it won’t look like there are seven brides at the alter. 😉

Question of the Day

• In your opinion, what is the most memorable part of a wedding?

I always remember the ceremony and the exchange of vows. I get weepy every time. I just love love. 😀

Slimer

Though delicious, green monster smoothies do not look appetizing. Not even a little bit.

To be honest, they remind me a bit of Slimer from Ghost Busters…

Slimer

Or Gak (remember that goopy stuff used to slime people on Nickelodeon?)…

Slimed!

As ugly as they are, green monsters sure do taste G-O-O-D.

I had one of these heinously delicious smoothies for breakfast and now feel awake and aliiiive.

I'm Ugly, But Tasty!

I swear there’s something about a green monster that makes me feel rejuvenated.

Triple G: Goopy Green Goodness

Sluuuurp

Stealing Ryan's Cup for My Smoothie

My green monster contained:

• 1 frozen banana
• Two large handfuls fresh spinach
• 1 scoop All the Whey chocolate peanut butter cup protein powder
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum
• 4 ice cubes
• Ice cold water

Workout

I downed this smoothie following a 5 mile run with Sadie this morning. I think our run made me extra hungry because after a quick shower, I enjoyed a small second *much prettier* breakfast.

Second Breakfast

For breakfast number two, I topped a cup of Dannon Greek yogurt with fresh raspberries and blueberries.

Pretty Berries

Fresh Berries + Greek Yogurt

I think berries are the most beautiful food on the planet. Their vibrant colors, interesting shapes and juicy appearance make them oh-so-attractive. (I’m alsoloving that berries are on sale right now!)

Sometimes one breakfast just ain’t enough! 😉

Question of the Day

What food do you love that’s completely unattractive?

I think my plate on Thanksgiving is perhaps the ugliest sight in the world. I love to stir everything together – the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and stuffing – until my plate basically looks like vomit. It’s so good, but looks so gross.

Mom’s First Green Monster

In Case You Missed It This Weekend…

• I did a fun At Home Cardio Blast workout
• I visited the University of Florida for a girly weekend with my mom and sister and ate copious amounts of cake at The Dessert Lady
• I met the designer of my wedding dress

Breakfast

After my sister left last night, my mom, Ryan and I hung out for a bit before Ryan headed up to bed and my mom and I watched several episodes of wedding-related TV (Platinum Weddings and some show called Girl Chooses Gown maybe?) while munching on peanut butter filled pretzels. How good are those!?

Needless to say, after visits to The Dessert Lady, an indulgent brunch, cookies last night, apple fritters, and a huge bag of kettle corn from the Farmer’s Market this weekend, we were both ready for some nutritious fare this morning.

Why are the weekends always packed with the “good stuff?” 🙂

After raving about Green Monsters to my mom, she was excited to try one for herself.

I made both of us breakfast smoothies with lots of spinach!

Green Monster

Drink Up

Our smoothies contained:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• Several handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
• Cold water
• 2 ice cubes

As always, you couldn’t even taste the spinach flavor, though the putrid green color is proof of its presence.

My mom took a sip an instantly became a fan!

Smoothies Make You Smile

Green Monster Fan

(Picture challenge: Can you spot Sadie?)

Workout

Though I got to bed a little later than usual I slept like a rock and woke up ready for a good workout!

Initially I figured I’d do my own weights routine, but when I got to the gym and saw everyone filing into BodyPump, I headed in to take the class as well.

I felt like my mind was racing throughout the class this morning. I was thinking about just about everything other than BodyPump, so the class really flew by!

I finished up my workout with 25 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical with the latest issue of Brides magazine. I think I’m in full-on wedding planning mode after this weekend!

Question of the Day

Do you eat differently on the weekends than on weekdays?