Don’t you just love Saturdays?! No rush, no stress, sigh <3 Oh and I loved hearing about your gym pet peeves, so funny!
FITNESS
Not bad, not bad. Today I worked Back & Hamstrings:
Back: Wide-grip Pull-ups, Narrow-grip Pull-ups, T-bar Rows, DB Rows
Hamstrings: Laying single-leg curls, Seated Curls, Leg Press High & Narrow
I really had to push through cardio today. As I’ve mentioned many times, cardio is my serious weakness when it comes to Fitness. I think it’s a combination of that fact that I don’t like it so much because I’m bad at it, but I’m bad at it because I don’t like it, haha. Last summer I got to a point where I was at least decent, and I’m working my way back to that now. I really enjoy Boxing, Kickboxing and good Spin classes because it gets my heart rate up like I need, but is at least really varied. I just get so darn bored running! But there’s nothing like a good HIIT session for calorie burn!
Today’s session was totally ADD cardio. I spent 25 minutes on the Treadmill going from a light jog (6.0), to run (9.0), back to a brisk walk (4.3) and cycled that, then hit the elliptical on hills with resistance for 15 minutes, then finished with 5 minutes on the recumbent bike. haha.. not exactly organized, but did the trick and really got my heart pounding!
Tomorrow’s an active rest day. In the afternoon, I’m planning on going to a yoga workshop on Yoga for Strength & Muscle Toning, and might hit up poolside Yoga in the AM.. we’ll see how sore I am 
NUTRITION
This morning I went to brunch at the cutest little place. They had things on the menu like Reese’s Pancakes (doesn’t that sound amazing?!), but I went with 2 egg whites with grilled chicken and tomato slices.
Post-work I had a fantastic “new” Protein Green Monster making use of the Sugar-Free Syrups I bought yesterday. Even though I love fruit, it’s not body fat cutting friendly due to the high amount of carbs, especially sugars, but I love Fruity Protein Shakes. So today I tried this mix and it turned out so good..
Low-Carb Fruity Green Protein Shake
1 c Frozen Spinach
1 scoop Protein Powder (I used Vanilla, Vega Sport)
2 tbsp Sugar-Free Fruity Syrup (today I used Strawberry)
3/4 c UVAB
1/4 c H20
1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum
1 tsp Glutamine
Ice
Fake-Sugar Sweet Things
Coincidentally a friend asked me what I use the Sugar-Free Syrups for, and considering I go through them at an embarrassingly rapid pace, I figured it’d be a good thing to mention on the blog The main thing I use SF Syrups for is in Coffee and Tea. Before dieting down for my first Fitness competitions last fall, I never drank tea or drip coffee. But I’ve found that hot beverages tend to fill me up more than cold, and I am often cold, so when dieting I drink a crazy amounts. It’s also a way to add variety to an otherwise simplistic and repetitive meal plan. However, beyond coffee/tea I also add them to Protein Shakes, Oatmeal and Diet Seltzer. I have a few flavors in my OpenSky Shop too!
New Things
Later on I tried another new thing, I made Eggplant for the first time! I grilled 1/2 an Eggplant on the Foreman, then added 3 oz Lean Ground Turkey..
I’ve only had Eggplant a couple times, and my thought today were just, ahh so-so. I didn’t add anything to it, and just ate it with 0-cal Walden Farms Dressing. Totally edible and I’ll eat the other 1/2, but without adding fun, not so diet-friendly items, I’m not sure it’s something I’ll have frequently. (And I swear the Eggplant wasn’t gigantic like the photo makes it out to be :p)
Kelp Noodles are one of my new favorite finds. For dinner I mixed a 3/4 package of Kelp Noodles (just 18 calories and 3 carbs for a whole pack!) with 2 tbsp o-cal Ranch Dressing + 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast, then stirred in 100g Baby Shrimp. I heated that for 2 minutes, then topped it with 1/3 Avocado.
Without the Avocado, this whole meal only has 118 calories and 7.8 g carbs. Scratch the Nutritional Yeast and it comes down to 78 calories and 3 g carbs :0
Low-Carb Chocolate Maple Crunch
I had about 1/4 of the Kelp Noodles left, so I tried something new. I’ve realized I tend to crave textures even more than flavors, and I love the crunchiness of these Noodles, so I decided to make a sweet version.. yum I mixed the leftover Kelp Noodles with 1 tsp Unsweetened Cocoa and a drizzle of 0-cal Maple Syrup, and heated it for 30 s.
Evening snack was a Mocha Protein Shake (1 scoop Nectar Cappuccino + 1/2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa + 3/4 c UVAB + 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum + 1 tsp Glutamine + Ice).. plain protein shakes, straight out of the Magic Bullet Blender, don’t make the best look photos :p..
Wow, I’m super behind on Protein today :/ but currently coming in at around 38 g Carbs.. I have some late night high protein treats in my future!
Raw Chip Review and Subsequent Love
A week or so ago, the kind folks at Brad’s Raw Chips were kind enough to send me 2 bags to sample. They have 11 flavors, but I am a major spicy-food wuss, so I opted for the Sweet Potato and Kale varieties (click for nutrition info). I was so surprised and impressed! The chips aren’t frail & brittle, but are hearty with a great flavor. Not to mention they’re all natural and have a pretty darn good nutrition profile. Oh these would be perfect with hummus or guac!
Obviously these are still chips, and not low-carb day friendly, but I’ll likely be snacking on a few on high carb days.
FUN
The Scivation Xtend Giveaway is still going on!
All right, I’m off to curl up on the couch with my favorite movie (Good Will Hunting), while working on content for my company’s website! It’s a crazy life I lead
What’s your all time favorite movie? And tell me about your weekend!
Fun Links
Forrest Gump! I absolutely love that movie – it makes me cry & laugh at the same time.
For cardio, try BodyPump. I will be taking my first BodyCombat class this upcoming Wednesday – can not wait. I love kicking and punching!
Man, I love those raw chips. Wish they were a litte cheaper though.Glad you liked the kelp noodles, they are so crunchy though, haha. Keep up that cardio girl!
Whooaaa, sweet kelp noodles are blowing my mind right now
I’m a texture person too. I can totally see how that would be tasty! Actually, speaking of texture, I think I enjoy the texture of eggplant more than the taste. It’s really good as a noodle replacement in lasagna 
Kelp noodles?? Where do you buy those from? They look really good!
I’m the same way with hot drinks. Sometimes I’ll feel hungry and drink some tea and then I’m magically full.. so weird!!
Hey girl – good job getting the cardio in regardless. As for eggplant the Japanese eggplants tend to be a tad sweeter so you may give those a shot. I love them!
I love your blog! You’re so inventive with your food and give me some great ideas. Have you tried Cathe Friedrich’s HIIT workouts? They are newer (part of her Shock Cardio series) and come with 3 workouts on the DVD. All clock in at 30 minutes and really help avoid the cardio dread factor.
I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite movie!! You are inspiring me – your dieting down eat still look delicious!
I find it really interesting how you add sweet flavours to foods I would not think would go with them, eg. spinach with vanilla protein powder and syrup (a must try). Today, after eating waaayyyy too many carbs yesterday, I am no-carbing and for breakfast I had egg whites and no-fat cottage cheese with cinnamon as I saw you do, WOW a whole new taste experience and it totally works! I gotta think outside of the box more…thanks for opening the door on foods!
What is the place you went to for brunch? Sounds wonderful!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
It was ‘Over Easy’ in Phoenix off Indian School
I love kelp noodles and use them or ‘miracle’ noodles (glucomannan) daily. I prefer the ones with the seaweed in them- they look cool and taste better! I recently discovered seaweed/yam ALOE noodles! They are very see-through and I haven’t used them yet but am excited to try them! Gotta love Asian Markets!
Hey Doll!!
I must find these kelp noodles, but I can’t seem to find them where I live
Boooo! I have never even tried them!
I am not a cardio lover either! Ugh…how do you get through it? It is my weakness too!
XXOO
hey love!! kelp noodles?! where do you find these!? they remindme of shiritaki! where do you find them?
I responded to your email
love that protein shake!! and RESSES pancakes?! yum!! however I prefer more of a stick to your ribs type of breakfast minus the candy haha…so although those sound amazing in theory, I probabl would have gone with some eggwhites and oatmeal! I seriiously crave it!
xoxo
Those flavors of chips sounds really good!
I am such a girl when it comes to the movies..I would have to say The Notebook is up on my favs.
I struggle with exercise in general, haha. I always find classes are a great way to push me to get my cardio.
Have a great day!
OOO those chips look AWEESOME!! i love the gym on sundays!! but sundays are my rest day!!
you know my fav movie
Honestly if you need amazing cardio that won’t bore you, try INSANITY! I’m telling you they are the most amazing workouts! Too bad my freshly injured ankle is keeping from these glorious DVDs for a little while…
Extremely interesting blog post thank you for sharing I just added your website to my favorites and will check back.
Wow… Really great post!
Have a good day!