Tired In Different Ways

I think it’s funny how our bodies can be tired in totally different ways.

Sometimes my body is physically exhausted and other times I feel mentally drained.

Today my mind feels shot!

Apparently date nights and bridal showers are more draining than I thought!

Fortunately my body felt totally rested, so this morning’s BodyPump class went well! The teacher incorporated the  bicep track  from the newest release into today’s class and I loved it. Our class will do the new release in its entirety next week and I can’t wait!

Breakfast

After BodyPump and a walk around the lake near our apartment with Sadie, I was ready to eat!

I made myself a peanut butter and pumpkin sandwich using the PB2/pumpkin ratio I used for last week’s pumpkin peanut butter French toast.

PB2 + Pumpkin

I spiced up the sandwich a bit with some nutmeg and coconut shavings.

Oh La La!

Open Faced

I purchased the unsweetened coconut shavings at The Fresh Market yesterday and can’t seem to keep my lil’ mitts out of the container.

Coconut

I am a huge coconut love-ahh!

Smooshed Together

Question of the Morning

Do you ever feel like only one part of your body is tired? Just the bod or just the brain?

Pumpkin Peanut Butter French Toast

You read right.

P + PB + FT

Pumpkin + Peanut Butter + French Toast = Winning Combination

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep, I thought of this odd combo and had high hopes for a recipe success!

I’ve had a jar of PB2 powdered peanut butter collecting dust in my pantry for a while now, mainly because I typically overlook it in favor of real peanut butter.

As I was trying to think of creative ways to use the jar, a light bulb went off!

What to Do with PB2?

Combine the powdered peanut butter with pumpkin!

To bring PB2 to life, you typically add water, but I figured that by adding pumpkin, the powdered peanut butter would be much thicker and also take on a pumpkin flavor.

PB2 + Pumpkin

I combined 2 tbsp. of PB2 with about a third of a cup of canned pumpkin and stirred up the mixture until it was nice and thick.

I then got to work on the French toast.

Arnold Honey Wheat Sandwich Thins

I dredged one Arnold honey wheat sandwich thin in a mixture of one egg white and 1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice.

Dunk-a-Roo!

After cooking the French toast on the griddle, I spread one half with the pumpkin peanut butter and placed thin slices of a ripe peach on the other.

Open Faced P & PB French Toast

After smooshing the two halves together, I dowsed them in syrup and sprinkled the ’em with nutmeg.

Voila!

Chomp!

I couldn’t wait to dig into this bad boy!

A Bite o' Yum

Eat Up, Buttercup!

This breakfast combined many of my different loves: peanut butter, pumpkin, doughy bread, pumpkin pie spice and fresh fruit.

Win!

Workout

Today’s workout included a five mile run with this little one:

Running Buddy

She’s such a good running buddy.

Sadie’s reward for keeping me motivated through our five mile run was licking the container I used to combine the peanut butter and pumpkin.

She was quite a fan.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter French Toast

Ingredients:

• 1/3 c. canned pumpkin
• 2 tbsp. PB2 (I’m sure regular peanut butter would work as well)
• 1/2 ripe peach, thinly sliced
• 1 Arnold sandwich thin
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Nutmeg, to taste
• Syrup, to taste

Directions

• Combine PB2 and pumpkin in a bowl and set aside
• Whisk together egg white and pumpkin pie spice
• Dredge sandwich thin in egg white mixture
• Spray a pan or griddle with non-stick cooking spray
• Cook sandwich thin slices at a medium-high heat until egg mixture is set, flipping once
• Remove sandwich thins from griddle and spread one half with peanut butter mixture and layer peach slices on the other half
• Press two halves together and cover in syrup and sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired

PBF Overload

I have a very intense and passionate relationship with peanut butter. Most days our relationship is healthy and balanced. On some days, however, I get a little needy.

Like today, for instance.

One of Many PBFs

This morning I could not get my finger out of the peanut butter jar!

My victim of choice was Krema crunchy peanut butter which I received from the company to sample.

Krema Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter

I am a chunky-pb fanatic, and I couldn’t get over just how crunchy this peanut butter was!

Check Out the Chunks

There were tons of peanutty chunks in every peanut butter finger I enjoyed, and believe me, I had a bunch.

Since peanut butter fingers dominated my morning and I’m pretty sure I ate 300+ calories worth of the good stuff, I kept my breakfast on the lighter side.

I toasted a sweet wheat Alternative Bagel before topping it with two tablespoons of chocolate PB2.

Chocolate PB is Fine By Me

Thursday Breakfast

Like every morning, I also enjoyed a chocolatey calcium supplement (I switch off between Viactiv and Adora calcium disks).

Adora Calcium Disk

This was one PB-tastic way to start the day!

Workout

I think my body was craving the calories from peanut butter after a 5-mile run with Sadie.

During our run we were sprayed by three different sprinklers! Floridians apparently enjoy watering their sidewalks as well… 😉

Of Possible Interest

• Early Morning Exercise Tips (FitSugar.com)
• 10 Fat-Burning Carbs (Health.com)
• Good Post-Workout Meals (CookingLight.com)

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Not me.

I seriously hate the way I look in shorts. I avoid shorts like the plague and only make an exception for running shorts because it’s too hot to wear anything else while running outside in Florida.

I always evnvied the girls who would prance around in itty bitty shorts and look so cute and carefree. Daisy Dukes? Ummm, no thanks.

Last week while chatting with Meghann over dinner, I mentioned my aversion to shorts. She said she loves shorts and wears them all the time. I instantly felt envious and thought about the three pairs of shorts I bought last summer with my mom and sister in an attempt to triumph over my hatred for the silly half-pants.

This morning, I dug a simple pair of brown J.Crew shorts out of the back of my closet and slipped them on. My first thought? “Ugh, these are terrible.”

My second thought? “Get over yourself. They’re fine.”

Ahhh! Shorts! Run for Cover!

I hated the negative thoughts that ran through my head when I put these shorts on. (I even look a little stressed in the above picture!)

Sure, I could easily toss the shorts aside and put on some jeans or a skirt and feel more confident, but I am determined to wear these shorts with pride today. My appearance and how I look in shorts does not define me.

There are some days when no matter what we put on, we feel unattractive. I think that we should get a free pass to wear sweatpants to work on those days. “Sorry boss, feelin’ a little bloated today. Hope you understand.” 😉

I think everyone has some kind of clothing or trend they avoid because they just don’t feel right in it. I think that’s completely okay and totally normal, but I also think most of the negative thoughts are in our own heads. Today I am determined to overcome my negative thoughts about how I look in shorts.

Is there a trend or certain type of clothing you avoid? Is there something you used to avoid wearing but have now made peace with and will wear again?

Though shorts are something I steer clear from wearing most days, you will never catch me in high-wasted pants. I tried them on at Express once and had an instant granny booty (You know, the booty that appears to go on for daaaays? Not cute.).

Breakfast

Enough of the shortie shorts talk and on to brefkist (as a kid I used to babysit for would say).

Chococlate PB + Apples + Yogurt

Today’s morning meal featured a cup of Greek yogurt topped with a fresh chunks of apple and a dollop (<– love that word) of chocolate PB2.

Thursday (Oh My Gosh, It's Already Thursday!) Breakfast

Sweet, Salty, Crunchy, Smooth

Stirred, Not Shaken

This combo was tasty!

Shockingly enough, I do not like peanut butter stirred into my Greek yogurt (blasphemy, I know), but the chocolate PB2 was a whole nother story!

Yum.

Workout

Ooooh yoga, why did I hate you for so long?

In just one short month, I went from yoga hater to yoga craver. So weird, but so lovely. Now that I make sure to pay attention to my body and do the poses as they feel right for me, I find yoga challenging, soothing and relaxing. I leave a class feeling like my body is grateful for what I just put it through.

Sch-weet!

This morning my workout included a yoga class (the most challenging one I’ve taken to date), as well as 10 minutes on the stair master and 20 minutes on the elliptical with the latest issue of Shape magazine.

Special Day

Today is a special day for someone in my family! Stay tuned for a birthday shout out at lunch time… 🙂

Not a Veggie in Sight

I typically try to incorporate veggies into my lunch and dinner every day. Today, however, not even a little carrot popped up in my mid day meal.

Don’t worry though! My lunch was not completely produce-free.

I did manage to sneak an apple onto my plate for good measure.

Crisp Apple

Today’s lunch included a bagelwich, made with a sweet wheat Alternative Bagel and chocolate PB2.

Chocolate PB2 Bagelwich

On the side I enjoyed a freshly sliced apple with a dollop of peanut butter and a cup of Chobani Greek yogurt for a protein punch.

Peanut Butter

Tuesday Lunch

I think the combination of whole grains, fruit and healthy fats still make this a healthy meal even without a veggie in sight. 😀

Of Possible Interest

• Drop-Pounds-Fast Grocery List (Health.com)
• 10 Recipe Ideas for Ground Beef (RealSimple.com)
• Healthy Lunches Under 400 Calories (FitnessMagazine.com)

Question of the Afternoon

Do you typically use fruits and veggies in the same meals every day?