Another day behind us.. How was your Tuesday? Mine was actually quite productive for all my various activities..
FITNESS
First a minor take-back.
I stand behind what I wrote yesterday, but ‘sacrifice’ was certainly the wrong word to use. ‘Sacrifice,’ I think suggests something negative, which is really not what I wanted to convey. My feelings about it really aren’t negative in the least, but instead, observations. A much better description would have been simply.. ‘choice.’ I make the choices I do to pursue my passions wholeheartedly, and I don’t regret it for a minute 
Actually, my mom sent me this quote, which I love, and think is SO appropriate for fitness:
“Moderation is for monks. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing in excess.”
In a previous post I wrote this on my thoughts on life vs. competitive fitness:
What is Fitness to You?
For me, there are separate categories; there’s Competitiveve Fitness and there’s Life Fitness. Competitive Fitness is awesome and I love it, but it’s very specific. It’s building or cutting, lots of protein powder, measured eating and specific goals. It’s about the pursuit of a very particular physique, and you workout & diet specifically to reach that ideal. Life Fitness, on the other hand, is the ongoing pursuit of health & wellness… how I workout and eat when training for a fitness competition is different from my ideal philosophy on health & wellness, fitness & nutrition.
When it comes to general health & fitness I absolutely believe in ‘everything in moderation,’ when it comes to indulging in and enjoying foods & beverages. But when it comes time to compete, for me.. moderation goes out the window. When I set a goal, I throw everything I have into it. My worst fear is having regret that I could have done more. When I get up on stage to compete, I want to know without a doubt, that I did everything I could to be my very best. Then I have no regrets, no matter my placing.
Workout
Oh and I did workout today :p Worked Arms, then did a Boxing class.. this post is a long one, so I’ll leave out the details this post. Tomorrow’s my first Prep Check-In day, hopefully I’ll see some positive measurement changes!
NUTRITION
Today was back to low-carb (40-50), and boy was I hungry this morning. The day after a high carb day is always the worst because my body wants those extra carbs I gave it the day before.. but I just gotta say NO :p
I started the day with a Chocolate Protein Green Monster (1 scoop Chocolate Sun Warrior + 3/4 c UVAB + 1/4 c H20 + 1 c frozen Spinach + Glutamine + Xanthan Gum + Ice)..
Before Boxing I snacked on a Plain & Simple Protein Pancake..
Then lunched on a Diet Spinach Bar and 4 oz Chicken Breast during a meeting..
New Low-Carb Fantasticness #1
This is actually pretty similar to something I made last weekend, but with an important addition.. I bet you could guess ;p .. Protein Powder
Maple Cake Protein Crunch
1 bag Kelp Noodles
1 scoop Cake Batter Protein Powder
2 tbsp 0-calorie Maple Syrup
Cut Kelp Noodles to desired length. Swirl in Maple Syrup and microwave for 90s or so. Stir in Protein Powder. Enjoy!
What I love about this is the shear size! I’ve had a few comments with people saying they don’t like Kelp Noodles. For me it’s all about the texture and volume, because they don’t really taste like anything. And I really like them heated with a fun topping. I think this would also be great with Greek Yogurt and Nut Butter! Oh, and the only place I’ve found these is at Whole Foods, next to the Shirataki Noodles.. but I bet you could find them at an Asian market too!
All mixed up..
A prettier display..
Oh and the fabulous stats (for the whole thing): 121 calories / 25 g P / 4 g C / 0 g F
Another New Low-Carb Delight
Last week I saw Heather’s post on Almond Milk Yogurt made with Agar which led me to Katie’s detailed post, and I was completely intrigued. Agar is made from seaweed and only has 3 calories and 1 carb for 2 tablespoons (a regular serving size to add to 1 c liquid).
So today I gave it a whirl. I followed Katie’s directions for the basic mix. Then I tried it 2 wasy:
1) Topped with 0-cal Strawberry Preserve (I promise that’s what it is even though it looks like ketchup)..
2) Blend with coffee..
I have to admit, I liked #1 better. I actually liked it a lot! I think I added too much Agar, so it was much stiffer than a pudding.. but I still enjoyed it. It is a strange texture, kind of like Flan.. so if you don’t like that.. don’t bother with this. Tomorrow I think I’ll try making it with less agar then adding.. you guessed it.. protein powder :p Oh and I should mention, this was crazy filling.
And the stats: 56 calories / 1.4 g P / 3.47g C / 4.0 g F
I know crazy right? A super filling snack with with stats like that, wowza.. this would also be great with Greek Yogurt or Nut Butter.. haha, I sense a pattern
Cooking Class
A few weeks ago, before deciding to shoot for Vegas NPC USAs, I signed up for an Italian Cooking class with a bunch of friends from school. Unfortunately, since I’m dieting down now, I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat most of what we were cooking tonight. But nonetheless I knew it would be fun.
Before heading to the class I filled up on the Agar treats above, and added a little protein in the form of ~3 oz Lean Ground Turkey, topped with a little o-cal Ranch..
The menu for the cooking class was basically sauteed Chicken Breast (yay!), mushrooms and broccoli, topped with a Rose Sauce (marinara + Alfredo), on top of Penne pasta. It actually worked out pretty well, because I was able to just leave the sauce off and skip the pasta.. ok fine.. I just ate the Chicken Breast, but it was great. The meal itself was really simple, but it was fun just to spend the evening hanging out with friends!
Rose Sauce.. um yeah, butter, olive oil, lots of cheese, cream = not so much for me
My plain version..
I was still low on carbs & protein by the end of the day, so I had one last snack. Plain Greek Yogurt + 1/2 scoop Cake Batter Protein Powder + 1 tsp Unsweetened Cocoa..
Sorry, I’m a bad food blogger.. didn’t want to dirty another dish after mixing it together, so it just went back in the Chobani container
FUN
I posted this on my Facebook Fan Page (which you should totally join.. not like I’m bias or anything) the other day, from Whole Food’s Blog: Earth Friendly Wines for Earth Day
Have you taken a cooking class before? Have you tried Agar Pudding? Thoughts? Recipes?
Also, I’m planning on doing a Q&A post soon, to reply to a number of frequently asked questions. So if you have any, please leave them in the comment section or email them to me at nourishedfitness@gmail.com!
Happy happy Hump Day!
Fun Links
I must try the kelp noodles!
I have never taken a cooking class, but I would love to!
I noticed you didn’t have any starches in your diet for your low carb day. Do you make the distinction between carbs in starches vs. carbs in fruit/veggies? Or do you just count a carb as a carb regardless of the source? Also, I’ve tried carb cycling before and it seems counterproductive to my dieting because I just have zero energy left over to do any cardio (certainly not any high intensity variety). Do you have the same physical reaction and if so, how do you get around it?
I could totally use some cooking classes. I tend to get in a food rut and get stuck there!
BTW, I love those spinach bars of yours. They are tasty and filling…two VERY good things!
It is such a time consuming sport but worth it if you really love it. I’m on a low carb plan right now so I feel for you.
I think that when anyone competes they have to make “sacrifices” (lack of better word) to some extent. All athletes strive to be better, faster, stronger and that takes work and dedication. I have not tried kelp noodles before. Will check those out the next time I hit up WF. And thanks for sharing your thoughts on the yogurt. I have agar and have yet to make anything with it.
Love your quotes today, Alyson. I feel like I could’ve written the second one myself!
That is so interesting about the agar! LIke I mentioned, the only time i’ve heard of it is in my microbiology class.. it’s wht we grow bacteria on! But it does have a jello-type consistency.. and now I really want to try it!! Haha!!
Do you measure your chicken before cooked or raw?
i want to take a cooking class so bad! i just need to convince the BF to do it with me!!
where do you get kelp noodles? are they similar to shiritaki?
almond milk yogurt?! that sounds AWESOME!! i am so going to that recipe!
have you heard of the INTENSITY dvds? I just ordered it! can’t wait to get started!!
At least you got to have a little bit of the Rose sauce, LOL! Good girl for sticking with the diet! Two thumbs up!
you are sooo creative!!!!!! almond milk yogurt sounds AMAZING!
I think there are always going to be “sacrifices” that need to be made with whatever we choose to do. You love what YOU do and in the end it’s all worth it to you–that’s what’s important!
I agree with Dawn. I make a lot of sacrafices to stay looking like I do at 52 but to me, it is so worth it! Keep up the good work!
I need more carbs to fuel my over 50 mile running weeks, but I have some fantastic new healthy food ideas from you!!
I don’t think the word sacrifice was inappropriate! We all make sacrafices for what we want! Right now you want to compete in fitness. Your passion is no different that someone elses passion! Go get it girl. People always want to comment on those that eat healthy and live a fit lifestyle. SO ?? Well when you are 100 lbs over weight and have no quality of life then what? If you want to be great at something which is the impression i get from you then you put everything you have into it! You are a competitor not a weight loss challenge sign up! Go for it and win it!
I love that you take the time to blog and keep everyone else accountable as well. I enjoy the blogs!
MMM… those spinach bars looks good. I’ll def have to try them; always loving more low-carb snack ideas! Thanks for your sweet post btw!
YAY these are great ideas! and i am adding you to fb now!
oh i am already your friend on there, but i thought you made a fan page. but i clicked the link and it is your profile. ok, love ya!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Oops.. wrong link haha here is is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nourished-Fitness/243917050139
Hi I am LOVING your blog!
I’m curious…where do you get kelp noodles?!