Chocolate > Spinach

After indulging in my own mini Cookie Sunday and having several slices of my friend Courtney’s cake last night, my body was cravin’ some serious nutrients this morning.

Thank goodness I picked up a large bag of spinach at the grocery store yesterday because a MASSIVE green monster sounded perfect after my morning workout.

Spinach Overload

It’s still almost incomprehensible to me that I cannot taste the spinach in my smoothie when there is practically an entire bush in there.

I’m not complaining though because taste-wise, chocolate > spinach.

My green monster included:

• 5 lbs. of spinach… almost.
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 large frozen banana
• Ice cold water
• Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum
• Fresh strawberries

Green Monster with Sliced Strawberries

Doesn’t that look ridiculously thick?

It definitely was super thick and I owe it to a combination of the frozen banana and the xanthan gum, a gluten-free thickener and natural carbohydrate.

Bob's Red Mill Xanthan Gum

Monday Morning Breakfast

Red + Green = Christmas in a Bowl

My body is happier already!

Workout

This morning I took my typical Monday morning BodyPump class. This was my first time doing the latest release and it was a goodie.

My chest was burning by the end of the chest track! (It’s really too bad that working out your chest doesn’t make your lil’ girlies grow. 😉 )

After the ‘Pump, I did 20 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical with the June 2009 issue of Women’s Health (slim pickings on the magazine rack today), followed by five minutes of incline walking.

Best Packaged Foods For Women

Women’s Health comprised a list of the best packaged foods for women, sorted into categories ranging from veggies, soups and snacks to condiments, sweets, frozen meals and dairy.

Naturally I went right to the sweets category to check out the “best frozen yogurt.”  The winner was:

Ben & Jerry’s FroYo Chocolate Fudge Brownie
The delicious chocoholic blend not only is thigh-friendly but also delivers 150 milligrams of calcium. Builds bone; fights heart disease.
Per 1/2 cup: 170 cal, 2.5 g fat (0.5 g sat), 34 g carbs, 95 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein

You can check out other winners here.

Rethinking Resolutions

I don’t have any New Year’s Resolutions this year… at least I don’t have any yet.

🙂

Ryan and I were talking about resolutions this morning and we’re both drawing a bit of a blank.

Of course there’s the fall back “I’ll live a healthier life” blah, blah, blah, but I like to make my resolutions tangible and exciting. I’ll put some thought into my goals for the upcoming year and get back to ya. Right now I’m thinking my main goal is to plan a beautiful wedding without getting stressed out and caught up in the little things. (All you former brides are probably thinking “easier said than done…”)

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

My latest Examiner article addresses weight loss resolutions and a new way to approach them, so those hoping to lose weight might actually succeed. By rethinking weight loss resolutions and putting a healthy spin on vows to lose weight, long-term results are much more likely to occur. Click here to check it out!

Today

It’s another cold day in Florida! Brrr.

After getting to the gym in time for my typical Wednesday 5:45 a.m. BodyPump class, I noticed the teacher’s weights and bench were not set up and she was nowhere to be seen. Not good! Unfortunately we learned her car broke down so no BodyPump for me this morning.

Instead I decided to jump around the gym, hopping from weights to cardio machines and back:

• 10 min. stair master
• Leg press
• Leg extensions
• 10 min. stair master
• Bicep curls
• Shoulder presses
• Tricep dips
• Deadlifts
• 5 min. elliptical
• Bridges (aka the most awkward exercise to do in the gym ever)
• Ab work

After that I was hungry!

Canadian Bacon and Colby Jack Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

Breakfast was a hot Canadian bacon and Colby jack cheese sandwich on an Arnold whole wheat sandwich thin.

Wednesday's Breakfast

Warm and tasty!

Interview

If you have a minute today, head on over to Ali’s awesome blog. She posted an interview with me  on Monday (amid her yummy-lookin’ holiday pictures). 🙂

Cheap Magazine Subscriptions

Didn’t get the subscription to that magazine you wanted over the holidays? Click here and use the code afterxmas09 to receive an additional $5 discount off already discounted magazine subscriptions.

Women's Health Magazine

You can get Women’s Health for only $5.95! Sweet deal, huh?