Hi lovelies! Ok, so you all are absolutely amazing, and reading your comments just about brought me to tears! I was pretty nervous to post that, but I’m glad I did..
This weekend’s been all about School. I prepped for a new class starting Monday (not a fan of having homework before the class starts), then dove into Integrative Nutrition studying. Every time I start a new topic I’m reminded & energized about the program and about my career path. It just gets me so excited I love it!
So I promised a standard post.. which this is.. but it includes 2 things I’m excited to share.. product review AND the best healthy Chocolate-craving satisfier I’ve ever made!
FITNESS
Saturday
I lied to you.. I ended up taking a partial rest day and just did an 80 min Power Yoga class. Turns out my hips & back were pretty sore from PT Friday. I’ve never worn a heart rate monitor to that class but I’m really curious how much I burn. I saw one calorie calculator that predicted 471 calories for 80 minutes at my weight. Not sure if it’s that high, but it’s definitely heart-pumping and I always leave completely drenched.
Sunday
Started my day with Spin then followed it up with working Shoulders & Glutes. These are two of my favorite areas to work, but unfortunately I had to skip a couple of my favorite glute exercises (Sumo Squats, weighted Step-Ups, weighted Lunges) because my hip was just not having it. So instead I focused on doing a lot of isolate glute exercises, which I need anyways.. the power stuff is just so much more fun!
Weights: Shoulders & Glutes
Shoulders: Arnold Press, Cross-Pulley Lat Raises, Push-Press, Tricep (elbows in) Push-ups → high weight, lower reps
Glutes (Isolate focus): weighted Glute Kickbacks, weighted Abductors & Adductors, weighted Hip Raises → aiming for 25-30 reps for each set at as high a weight as you can do
Cardio: Spin – 60 min
Calories burned: 840 total – 515 from Spin, 325 from lifting 
NUTRITION
Product Review
The wonderful folks at Galaxy Granola, who are also soon launching a blog called Fruit not Fat, sent me a few packages of Granola to try. I love Granola and recently got into making my own because a lot of brands on the market add all sorts of stuff to make it less healthy. Well Galaxy is fantastically different and uses Fruit as a sweetener instead of Fat.
I think this was the 1st package I received addressed to ‘Nourished Fitness’!!
They sent me 3 flavors to try: Vanilla Almond, Not Sweet Vanilla and Cranberry Orange.
I was expecting it to perhaps lack in flavor or have a odd texture, but I was so wrong! Great flavor and texture Can’t wait to try the other flavors!
In Action
Saturday started with a taste test of Galaxy Granola’s Vanilla Almond variety on Fitness Cake Batter with Blackberries. Delicious!
Lunch was last night’s dinner leftovers: Wild Coho Salmon and a piece of Kabocha Quinoa Casserole..
Pile of Veggies
As usual, after Yoga I just wanted a big salad, but I went with the warm version. Kale sauteed with mini-Portabellos, baked Savory Tofu, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts..
Chocolate Craving Satisfier
Dessert tonight was a cross between my Protein Fudge and Averie’s Vegan Coconut Chocolate.. so I’ll call it..
Protein Coconut Chocolate
1/2 scoop Cup Cake Protein Powder (I’m out of Chocolate)
2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Vanilla
dash Stevia
1 tbsp Coconut Oil (melt before you mix)
1 tbsp Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
I mixed everything together, pressed it into a tupperware, and let it chill for a while..
AMAZING! Yes this one deserves all caps. Best sweet-treat creation in a long time.. yum yum yum
And the stats..
There were a couple other random snacks throughout the day involving Protein Powder, Cottage Cheese & Pumpkin but it was all eat haphazardly from the container :p
FUN
I’ve been so lame about gathering fun articles & links.. when will they add more hours to the day?! :p
I did just post this one to the Digg feed (at the bottom of the blog).. Yoga Advice on Eating Healthy – I love that it also emphasizes that everyone is different. “There’s no perfect diet and no ideal food” .. just some that are way better than others.. i.e. The Fast Food diet.. what the heck is up with that! :p
But don’t forget the OpenSky Promotion!
Alright, I’m off to work on a project for school. Tomorrow I start my last trimester of Grad School, it’s so hard to believe. 76 days until Graduation!! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend
Fun Links
GIRL That chocolate looks awesome!
i am loving all of your eats! im trying quinoa for the FIRST time tonight-im so excited!
Yummy granola. I love granola too. Love the added crunch it gives to things like yogurt, oh and by the handfuls of course!
I’m so jealous of that yoga class.. all the ones at my gym never make me break a sweat!
And I think that dessert looks pretty genius! I’m going to have to add that to my list of nightly desserts! Do you have a good casein protein powder you’d recommend?
This Protein Coconut Chocolate creation looks great…i make something i call coconut chocolate snowballs and this is reminiscent of that but with prot powd! You’re a genius!
And yoga..what gym? I teach at mountainside. Would love to know the name of the teacher, i probably know them (her).
And your Yoga Journal mention love that.
And your prev post, off to read it.!
OK, that Protein Coconut Chocolate thing looks awesome!!! Do you have the nutritional breakdown on that or you really don’t track that?
How exciting about school! Life is for the taking!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Oh I definitely track it :p I did it for myself but forgot to post it.. I updated the post with the Nutrition Facts included.
Thx Alyson! I knew you tracked.. it is obvious!
That Granola looks good! I am always looking for healthy brands of granola as well, will have to check it out. Your blog and website are both looking awesome!
YUMM I just saw someone else get that galaxy pacakge and it looks awsome!!! I lvoe the idea of it being sweetened with applesauce not oil and added sugar
last trimester of grad school! wow congrats…time flies, doesnt it?
wow that dessert looks devine!!! Do you have any thoughts on soy v whey protein?
Regarding the Stevia, I think it’s probably just as safe/or dangerous (??) as Truvia and Purevia! yeah, it has not been granted GRAS, BUT I think anything in moderation is completely ok. Just be aware that there are potential dangers if you consume a lot (I use 2-3 packets of Truvia per day).
yummmerzzzzz….healthy and yummerz…
Oooh I can’t wait to try this chocolate “cake” recipe! The granola looks really fun too!
Love the sound of that chocolate creation – anything with coconut butter sounds good to me!
WOW thats was soooooo good, it was like a candy bar!!!! yummmmmmmm
thank you!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Yay, I’m glad you liked it!