Hi All! Another Monday’s behind us, as is Spring.. I have to admit.. I like the idea of the days getting shorter here in AZ.. it’s damn hot!
FITNESS
Started the day working Shoulders & Back with my trainer. I am truly blessed to have found such a wonderful team. Competitive fitness is a funny world. I have met some of the most amazing, kind, inspiring people.. but there is a lot of sketchiness and bad things out there too. Whether it’s trainers who encourage their competitors to take “performance enhancing” supplements, or all sorts of mess-with-your-body fat-burners, or who are catty, unfriendly or inappropriate & try to take advantage. I on the other hand, am surrounded by people who are supportive in all aspects of life. It’s not just about what you can do to look a certain way, but doing it in a healthy manner physically and psychologically.
This evening I also tried a new Spin class. I’d heard great things about this particular instructor, and was stoked that the class lived up to them!
Oh, and I got other good news today. A while back I tried signing up for the Muscle & Fitness HERS Camp in Las Vegas the weekend of NPC USAs, but it was already full. Today I got an email saying a spot had opened up! Of course originally I had planned to be competing that weekend, and now I’m just going to help out and cheer on, but the camp should be a blast! Nicole Wilkens-Lee along with fitness nutrition expert Kim Odo, and NPC judges will be there. I know I won’t be in my best shape ever by then, but I am excited for the opportunity to learn from the best of the best!
If you’re not familiar with competitive fitness, this is Nicole Wilkens-Lee. She won the Arnold this year and the Olympia last year.. and she’s only had her pro-card since 2007 (got both Fitness & Figure in the same show!).. ok, clearly she’s another motivational crush of mine 
NUTRITION
Look what I got in the mail last week..
MGN had been on backorder for ages, so I was excited to get these. Turns out they recently changed their formula, got all sorts of bad reviews about it, and have now switched it back to the original recipe. Unfortunately the batch I got is definitely the altered-formula :/ The difference is very obvious; it’s grainer and a completely different texture when mixed with egg whites from protein pancakes. Ahh well, still pretty good.
Breakfast was a Egg White Frittata (3/4 c Egg Whites + 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast + 1 tbsp Salsa), then added 1/4 Avocado and 2 oz Baked Tofu, and topped with 1 tbsp of Hummus..
Later I snacked on Protein Waffles (still figuring out the best mix for the new protein powder), topped with a little plain Greek Yogurt..
Dinner was great mix.. and totally diet friendly!
Reduced-Carb Caprese Pasta
1 package Pasta Slim
1/2 c low/no-fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 oz Fat-Free Feta, crumbled
fresh Basil, chopped
~1/3 c diced fresh Tomato
Salt & Pepper to taste
~4oz Tilapia (cooked) or any other lean protein
Mix together Cottage Cheese, Feta, Tomato, Basil, Salt & Pepper
Drain noodles and pat with paper towel to remove excess water. Cut noodles to desired length. Mix noodles & Tilapia and heat (either in the microwave or stove top). When noodle mixture is warm, stir in cheese mixture and heat until cheese just starts to melt. Enjoy!
The Facts:
For my evening snack I made Protein Ice Cream.. the HEAB version! I followed her recipe exactly using Muscle Gauge Whey Isolate in Ice Cream Sandwich flavor (a new flavor for me, and I’m loving it), and 1 tbsp Hershey Special Dark Cocoa..
FUN
Currently watching Invictus.. have you seen it? I really liked it. I found it inspiring in a non-cheesy way.. doesn’t hurt that Matt Damon is in it either . South Africa is on my list of top 5 places I absolutely most visit (other include Greece, Ireland, Spain and Japan.. ok, fine I want to go everywhere.. but if I had to pick just 5). I so badly wanted to make it to the World Cup this summer, but unfortunately I did not win the lottery :p But my friend is there right now, and has some great commentary & pictures over at his blog, The Earth is Round.
What are your ‘must go’ places?
Fun Links
love the waffle! was it a different recipe? my flax waffles are great but its cool to change things up. I've been to a lot of places, but I really want to go to India, all that yoga I do make me curious about its birthplace
I hate it when something is good and then they change it. I noticed my pancakes don't get as fluffy too. That must be why?
Nicole is incredible. I really think fitness girls are the best athletes. I mean, I can diet and get on stage and so can just about anyone else. Now doing flips and splits, that takes talent!!
I really want to go to Hawaii some day. On the east coast you go to the caribbean, on the west coast you go to Hawaii
try adding baking powder, or whipping it up a lot before the bater hits the pan
So cool with the camp. I know you'll have a blast. My must go to place will be Italy. I want to see where my great grandfather was born. And you're right Nicole Wilkens-Lee is awesome.
I would love to go to Greece as well! It always just looks so beautiful in pictures and movies!
Your dinner looks delish..and simple. Simple is a must!
pasta slim!! that looks so good and differnet I want to try it
that camp sounds awesome, I want DEETS i cant wait to hear about it!! and yeah, I think that girl is suuuper hot, nice motivation!
havent seen invictus but hear it was good!!
Cool on the camp! Exciting!!!
I would love to go to New Zealand & Switzerland! I still love Hawaii though!