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Kodiak Protein Bars

Monday: 10m easy 8:14/pace
Tuesday: Back Squats 5 x 10 @ 115#, SA DB Press 5 x 10 @ 25#, 5m easy 9:50/pace
Wednesday: Crossfit, 5m easy 9:01/p
Thursday: Crossfit, 4m easy 9:30/p

Another week, another Kodiak recipe (and no i’m not sponsored or affiliated with the brand, just like the product!) I made a very simple recipe from their website and of course added my own twist to it and it came out perfect 🙂

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*I added 3/4 cup of brown sugar, not a full cup. I still want to try and lower the sugar content of this recipe. I haven’t experimented with applesauce or anything yet, but i’m about to try. Tips are welcome!
*I added blueberries and sprinkled these with graham cracker crumbs for a bit of texture.

The cool thing about this recipe is that you can use whatever vanilla protein powder you like…so of course I reached for my favorite, Vanilla Bean ABW.

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And about 20 minutes later.. easy peasy.

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9 servings: 242 calories, 47C, 2.6F, 9P

And I had to show you guys a few awesome pictures while I was running this past week. The weather has been a little off (cloudy, cool, then humid and confused) but the sky looked killer on one of my normal loops.

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Water fountain to save the day!

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Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Last Week

Monday: 6m easy 8:00/pace
Tuesday: Crossfit, 8.5m easy 7:53/pace
Wednesday: 5m easy 10:00/pace
Thursday: 5 x 5 Sumo DL ascending (185#, 195#, 205#, 215#, 225#), 10m easy 9:09/pace
Friday: 4m easy 9:00/pace
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 1hr chest day

Total Miles: 33.5

Travel plans for the holiday weekend?

Anyone play with sugar substitutions in baking?


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Happy Trails <3

Monday: 8m easy 8:57/pace

Tuesday: Crossfit, 5m easy 9:00/pace

Wednesday: 5 rounds of 25cal row, hang snatches 3 @ 65#, handstand against wall + 5m easy run 8:47/pace after workout.

Thursday: Crossfit

My last post was an ode to coffee, and i didn’t realize until after I posted that I didn’t even mention how coffee is a big part of my pre-race rituals! What kind of terrible running blog is this?! I’ll have to do a “part 2” regarding all the fitness/nutritional benefits! Now we can just talk about another love of mine…

Elise. Seriously, if you have a moment, follow Elise on Instagram, she’s a photographer, a runner and an amazing cupcake baker. Since i’m in the cupcake mecca of DC you know I know a good cupcake. Especially those with homemade fresh marshmallows on top…

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I’m obsessed with marshmallows so of course she sends me fresh homemade ones through the mail…File_000 (542)

and I of course the first thing I do is this..

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I call this masterpiece Fluffernutter Bites. And they were glorious. Elise forever ruined Kraft marshmallows for me, i simply cannot go back after having these. I’m having way too much much fun trying them with everything. Speaking of Whey too much #slapsknee #dadhumor

1 scoop vanilla bean A Better Whey Protein, 1 large marshmallow, 1 banana, 1 cup almond milk, cinnamon & ice. This marshmallowy goodness was a staple last week.

File_000 (549) I’ve put the marshmallows in coffee, hot chocolate, ate them by themselves and last but not least a smores’. User tip: spread peanut butter on the graham cracker for an even better experience. You’re. Freaking. Welcome.

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Okay, so if that doesn’t make you hungry or marshmallows aren’t your thing, I went to happy hour at Society (downtown Silver Spring) with my Crossfit girls, Andrea & Yomery. We had some tasty sliders, sweet potato fries and great conversation. And of course margaritas. 😉 What can i say, it’s rooftop season. Time for long sweaty runs and post recovery burgers and beer!

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And last but not least, but kinda last (minute that is) I jumped on a Ragnar Trail team for this weekend in Richmond, VA! Super stoked that i have a running event on the calendar and they’re providing SMORES!

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Last Week

Monday: 6m easy 8:53/pace

Tuesday: Crossfit, 5m 9:10/pace

Wednesday: 4m easy 9:40/pace

Thursday: 13.4m easy 8:40/pace

Friday: 5m easy 9:00/pace, 5 rounds of 6 x 135# back squat, SA DB snatches 30#, 8 pushups

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 1hr upper body

Total Miles: 33.4

Anyone running VA Ragnar this weekend?

Have you had homemade marshmallows?


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A Better Whey, Organic Protein Review!

Monday: 6m fartlek 8:54/pace

Tuesday: Crossfit, 9m easy 9:25/pace

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 8.6m 8:19/pace

Disclaimer: I was given A Better Whey Protein in December and have been using it consistently. I offered to do a review based on my own personal opinions and was not compensated (other than free sample) for this review. I am not a licensed nutritionist, these are my opinions. Please consult with your doctor before changing your diet.

I posted an article regarding dairy intake to Facebook recently and oh man, did it cause a scene. I tend to see nutrition articles as a whole, not one part. The big takeaway, is that dairy is in (and hidden in) a LOT of products the same way wheat and sugars are. Which means generally people are getting dairy in their diets without even trying.

The problem is you don’t know where the dairy source is coming from, whether the dairy is organic or if it’s from a farm that pumped their cows full of hormones. This is the big reason i’m picky with dairy, try not to eat packaged products, and preach to clients about consuming high quality dairy (and meat products).

After being a person that over the years has tried plenty of diets, shakes, and bars I am a firm believer that a well rounded, balanced, high quality everything included nutritional diet is the best. I try to choose quality over quantity to get as many nutrients packed into meals as possible in order to recover workout to workout, race to race and day to day.

Doesn’t mean i’m not gonna eat junk, let’s not get too crazy. Just means that 80-90% of the time, my meals are on point. Which brings me to something I’ve been crazy happy about. An organic, grass fed protein powder. I was given A Better Whey organic protein to try, and i’m in love with it.

 

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The texture of the powder is phenomenal, super fine and mixes well. The flavor is perfect (and i’m picky with chocolate flavor anything) and it’s been an easy way to up my protein intake which has been crucial after my heavier lifting days for recovery.

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chocolate protein, almond milk, chocolate chips. boom.

I like blending protein powders with ice and milk to make it creamy. This powder tastes excellent blended with just almond milk.

Favorite shake recipes:

8 ounces Silk Almond Milk, 1 scoop A Better Whey Vanilla, 4 ice cubes (tastes like vanilla ice cream)

8 ounces Silk Almond Milk, 1 scoop ABW Chocolate, 1 tbs Peanut Butter, 1 banana, cinnamon, 3-4 ice cubes (thank me later)

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drinking it plain in the shaker post wo

Another thing I’ve been proud of are my protein ball creations. I don’t have perfect recipes down yet, but it’s been fun trying different flavors to keep my sweet tooth and protein needs satisfied.

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some ingredients I use for the protein balls

I first add dry ingredients, A Better Whey protein powder (1 scoop), steel cut oats (1/4 cup), sometimes coconut flour (1 tbsp) then start adding in peanut butter until you get some texture (about 3/4 cup). Slowly and little at a time (very little) add wet ingredients to bind the mixture. I use almond milk (1 tsp), sometimes honey or vanilla extract depending on what flavors i’m going for. The combined ingredients should still be somewhat dry before you start rolling them into balls.

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chocolate pb protein balls

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vanilla honey pb protein balls

If i do the vanilla Better Whey protein with vanilla extract, they come out tasting like cookie dough. It’s been a big hit around the gym and in my house. The treats taste incredible because of the high quality protein I’m using. Plus it makes me feel good knowing the main ingredient is giving me nutrients my body needs to recover and get ready for the next workout!

You can read more about why organic protein is important here and you can purchase A Better Whey at https://www.proteinorganicwhey.com/ 

Have a great weekend!

Last Week

Monday: 8.4m easy 9:00/pace

Tuesday: Crossfit, 3.2m trail run 

Wednesday: 9m easy 9:11/pace, Push Presses + Overhead Squats

Thursday: Crossfit, 6m easy 8:19/pace

Friday: 4m easy 8:51/pace

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Rest

Total Miles: 30.6

How do you recover post workout?

What kind of running or other workouts are you planning for the weekend?