oh yawn.. Mondays & Wednesday are my busy days, and today lived up to expectations!
FITNESS
Alas, I did not make it to Spin this morning.. but I did have a couple great workouts! I made a reappearance at my schools gym, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they just started offering spin classes! They actually have a good selection of classes, just most aren’t very challenging, so I’m excited to see how Spin shapes up.
Cardio: Jog & Incline Intervals
5 min. Warm-up walk at 4.0
2 min. jogging at 6.5
2 min. walking at 4.3 incline 7.0
Repeated 2 min. intervals for 25 minutes.
15 min. resistance intervals on the Elliptical
Weights: Shoulders & Back with my Trainer
Pull-up, bent-over Rows, Miltary Press, Seated front Rows, single-arm Lat Raises, Front Raises.. I’m forgetting something, hmm
I don’t wear my HR monitor when lifting with my trainer, but I did burn 415 calories with Cardio.
NUTRITION
Q&A
I’ve had a couple questions lately that I thought would be useful to answer here:
1) What’s the difference between Whey Isolate and Whey Blend?
From my understanding, Isolate is higher quality and more pure, while blends contain both whey isolate and concentrate. Isolates are said to have less fat & lactose per serving (90-98%, while concentrates have 70-85%). Because of it’s more “pure” state, it would make sense that isolates absorbs slightly better/faster. The bad side of Isolates is that they are more expensive, and many don’t think that the slight benefits outweigh the literal costs. Additionally, I’ve heard some isolates don’t cook as well. I actually use the isolate Cake Batter Protein Powder (they also make a blend) and haven’t had any problems at all baking. That’s just my experience though!
2) What supplements do you take?
Not many. I’ve heard stories of some fitness/figure/bodybuilding competitors taking hand fulls of supplements, but I really haven’t found it necessary for me. I must admit I’m not always the best at remembering to take pills, I prefer to use powders and toss’em into a protein shake. But when I’m being good I take a multi-vitamin, fish oil tab, Glutamine and BCAAs.
Glutamine: an amino acid that aids in muscle recovery and prevents breakdown; take before & after workotu
BCAA (Branch Chain Amino Acids): refer to isoleucine, leucine and valine; they aid in maintaining & repairing muscle tissue and are best to take in the morning, before & after a workout, and before bed
And the Eats..
A new breakfast love has come into my life.. Quinoa Yogurt Mess! I heated 1/2 c cooked Quinoa and topped it with Fitness Cake Batter (1 container plain Greek Yogurt + 1/2 c Cake Batter Protein Powder) & 1 tbsp Naturally More PB..
Post-cardio I had a Kabocha PB Protein Shake (80 g frozen Kabocha + 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast + 1 tbsp Ground Flax + 1 scoop Protein Powder + 3/4 c UVAB + Xantham Gum + Ice) and topped it with 2 tbsp Not Sweet Vanilla Galaxy Granola..
During a meeting I had a killer portable lunch of Baby Spinach topped with Chicken Breast, Tomatoes and 1/2 c Cottage Cheese + 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast..
Dinner was completely uncreative. I had the last piece of my Kabocha Quinoa Casserole, Chicken Breast, 1/4 c Cottage Cheese & ~2 tbsp Baba Ganoush..
Definitely having a protein-filled dessert tonight. Either Protein Coconut Chocolate or Cottage Cheese + Cake Batter Protein Powder.. can’t decide 
FUN
Wonderful post by Tasha, from The Clean Eating Mama, on her response to the question ‘do you get bored eating healthy’.. I think we know the answer 
.. but her’s will inspire you!
Do you take any supplements? Do you notice a difference in your energy level &/or workout?
Fun Links
hello, beautiful! i am just finally coming back around and had to come holler atcha
Oh, that’s great that your school gym is offering spinning classes. My school gym is definitely waaay behind.
I take 2 tablets daily: B-complex & fish oil. I notice a big difference when I stop taking my Bs. It could only be in my head though, would be interesting to take a placebo pill and see whether I would notice something or not.
Sounds like that was a pretty good workout! I take Vitamin D and a B Complex. I feel like the B gives me more energy.
I’d vote for the cottage cheese dessert! I had the same thing! LOL
oh! love your breakast quinoa! i wish i knew how to say quinoa or maybe even spell it haha.
i’ve been meaning to make your quinoa protein muffins! i think i’ve said quinoa and typed quinoa more times ever in this comment then i have in my entire life.
I actually used to love my school’s spinning classes. You could always guarantee that the music would be good
I just purchased some whey protein if I need to get in some protein before and/or after meals. Sometimes I end up working out at weird hours and am not hungry or its too early for lunch or dinner. I think it will be good to include a shake in there.
Love the cottage cheese on the salad. Looks yummy!
Lately I have been taking a multivitamin, vitamin C, omega3, magnesium, and calcium. I didn’t think I took much but now that I write it all out it sounds like a lot!
Great answers to the questions. I wasn’t exactly sure about the whey isolate vs. blend question, but your answer does make sense. I also love your supplement answer. I am always nervous when people tell me they take a bunch of supplements, because I don’t want to offend them by telling them my thoughts, but I tend to have a problem keeping my thoughts hidden! Personally I take a multivitamin, fish oil, and vitamin D. I don’t take anything for protein, just eat my meat, poultry, fish, and dairy!
That quinoa kabocha casserole sounds marvelous. I just had quinoa tonight
I love it!
I use both a whey isolate & a whey/casien blen depending. Yes, there are better isolates & some do absorb better. Sometimes I mix the two together!
Thank you for the sweet comments re skylar being a positive happy little girl. she truly is. I don’t throw it around b/c i hate overusage, but we “were very blessed” with her. Truly, we were. She is a gem. God shined down on us with her.
Anyhooo.
Server stuff and website stuff. If you have anyone you recommend, i think i am 95% going with this one lady but if you have someone amazing, Im all ears.
And girl. We should totally have coffee some day! It’s so damn rainy and gross, I’d love to met you for a cuppa coffee! Next week any morning except Monday I’m open