Rollercoaster Blogging

I’ve been quite PC on the blog, especially the 2nd half of the year. I’m always honest here, but I guess I just leave things out sometimes; things that could be controversial or not particularly kind, or that don’t fit the ‘I love everything!’ train of thought. It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t posting much for a while. As I referred to in the post ‘A Year of Lessons’.. 2010 was a rough one. So I subscribed to the blog version of the motto, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Except for in the blog version, it’s been, if you can’t say something, positive, motivating and encouraging, then don’t say anything at all.”

But not long ago, I had a great conversation with a fitness friend, who picked up on the fact that when I’m not bloggin, it often (not always) means that things are going fantastic. And she also reminded me that it isn’t just sunshine and rainbows that people want, but instead they want upfront honesty. That perfect and always happy is boring, and frankly it’s not realistic. I guess it’s the A-type, perfectionist side of me coming out.

When I first started blogging it was pretty fitness & competition-prep diet specific. But as it should, life, and therefore the blog evolved. It can be pretty daunting to be so open, honest and personal in a public setting, but at the same time it’s so rewarding and cathartic, and just pretty much awesome.  So I guess that’s my long way of saying that one of my goals this year, is to be more consistent with blogging no matter what.. that sounds so dramatic.. but you know what I mean.. blogging regardless of whether or not I feel guilty for missing workouts, or have lost a little motivation.. but to just be more open about all aspects of the process.. cause it sure is a roller coaster!

FITNESS

Pretty decent workouts this weekend. I’m still struggling to get back into respectable cardio shape. Usually once I get into a routine with it, and my cardio starts to improve, the time seems to go by faster and it’s not quite as boring.. unfortunately I’m far from that point right now! My answer for the time being is to do as many classes (my faves are Spin and Kickboxing) so I can at least keep it interesting.

Do you guys have any suggestions for getting into a pattern with morning workouts? I’m not a morning person, and really need to give myself extra time to slowly wake up, and enjoy a slow breakfast (while drinking coffee and reading blogs of course), in order to feel ready and energetic to start my day (haha, ‘slow’ showed up a couple times in that description). It is completely reasonable to get up at 5am to get my workout in before work.. I know so many people who do.. but I really struggle to make it happen. Help! Any tips or tricks?

NUTRITION

Slow & Steady

In a slow cooker that is! I have been all about the slow cooker lately. You know I’m a huge proponent of weekend food prep. I make meals in big batches then pre-portion into tupperware, so all I have to do is grab & combine when I’m running out the door in the morning. Here are two CRAZY SIMPLE slow cooker recipes I’ve made this week, that cut down on those epic cooking sessions:

Vanilla Cinnamon Steelcut Oats

4 c H20

1 1/4 c Steelcut Oats (I used Coach’s)

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 Vanilla Bean

It all goes into the slow cooker, give it a little stir, set on low, and go to sleep.. well that’s what I did.. but 6-8 hours should do it.

Salsa Chicken

Chicken Breast, cleaned & trimmed (amount depends on the size of your slow cooker.. so whatever amount can fit spread out on the bottom)

16 oz Salsa (pick a fun flavor!)

Lay chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour Salsa on top. Set slow cooker on low for ~4 hours.

I think I originally saw the Chicken “recipe” (quotes because it’s so darn easy!) on Janetha’s blog at somepoint. I use to be so intimidated by the device, but you really can just throw anything in there and let it do its thing!

Hope your week starts off wonderfully!

Photo Recap -

I did my best to keep it healthy..

Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin topped with Deli Turkey Breast & Spinach

There was lots of Instant Oatmeal and Yogurt Messes..

Instant Quaker Apple Spice Oatmeal topped with plain Greek Yogurt & PB

Starbucks Oatmeal

Chocolate Vega + plain Greek Yogurt topped with Kashi Go Lean and Blackberries .. Great combo!

I forgot how much I love Panera Bread! ..

1/2 Fuji Chicken Salad and French Onion Soup

But it wasn’t all clean.. just a few bites though!

Crazy tender Calamari at M&S Grill

Gala

Tuesday night the Conference gala took place at M&T Bank Stadium, where the Raven’s play. We were greeted by the cheerleaders and marching band, were led onto the field (with the fire entrance), and toured the locker room and suites.

The food was amazing! As soon as we walked in the stadium they were passing out Budweiser, water, sliders and hot dogs (skip those of course). Next it was through to the locker room where there was more beer, hot chocolate and a spread of chips, pita chips, dips, hummus, and caramel corn..

In each of the suites there were Crab cones, Fruit cones and an array of salted nuts.. and more beer, haha

Then there was the actual dinner.. Menu items included:

Main:

Mini Reuben & Strip Sandwiches with Asiago Fondue, Potato Hay & House Pickles

Pan seared medallions of Veal with Sage, pepper and Talleggio Risotto Garlic

Jumbo lump crab cake martini, Potato Leek & Pancetta Hash

Gourmet Salad Bar

Appetizers: Vegetable, Cheese, Sausage, Cured Meats & Oysters with assorted crackers, Miniature meatball Sub, Jumbo Lump Crab & Marscapone Polenta, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Salad Devils Eggs

Dessert: Berger Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Cannoli’s, Cheesecake and Warm Apple Crisp

Appetizers..

Main courses..

My personal favorite, dessert! ..

No cheesecake has ever been so loved :p

The room was really dim, so I apologize for the goofy flash effect on a lot of these. Wow, that was a lot of pictures! The Raven’s owner, Steve Bisciotti, gave the key not speech; reminding everyone how much sports has an impact on people of all walks of life. As a Raven’s fan, the night definitely left me in awe.. and full!

I had more than one treat on this trip, but I’m choosing to not regret it. I enjoyed & appreciated each and every bite, and am excited to get back to some butt kicking workouts this week!.. not to mention stove top Pumpkin Oatmeal

What’s your favorite part about coming home from a long trip? Aside from standard food & workouts, I have to say I’m really looking forward to my bed

But enough about my issues :p How about a lil fun! Yesterday I went to the Cardinals game. Sadly, the game didn’t go so well for the Cards, but it was fun hanging out in the suite with some of my favorite Sports Business kids!

All was well at this point

Workin It Monday

Today’s workouts rocked! Got Triceps & Biceps and Cardio in this morning. I new I was going to be doing spin later in the evening so I mixed up cardio to keep it interesting. Started my workout with a 15 minute jog (~6.5 mph), then lifted, then went back to the treadmill for 10 minutes of Sprint HIIT, then side shuffles for another 10 minutes (incline at 10.0, 3.5 mph). Felt great! After work it was back to the gym for spin class, which rocked today!

The Protein Pancake Evolution

So yet another Protein Pancake “recipe.” Inspired by Fitness & Spice’s creative and delicious-sounding use of Starbuck’s Via I created the

Mocha Protein Pancake

1 scoop VPX 0-Carb Protein Powder

1 packet Starbuck’s Via

3 tbsp Egg Whites

2 tbsp Pumpkin Puree

Dash of Cream of Tartar

* Whip it up in the Magic Bullet and cook like a normal stove top pancake.

This turned out SOOO good. The Via gives it a great rich taste while the pumpkin keeps it nice and moist. I think I could create a protein pancake cookbook at this point.

Special Delivery

Yay! Look what was waiting for me when I got home

My Glo Bars!

How cute!

I have heard so many wonderful things about Oh She Glows‘ Glo Bars (Glo Bakery) that I had to give them a try. Tomorrow’s a carb day so I’m going to allow myself a taste, but for the most part I think I’ll have to wait a few more weeks to dig in. Just one more thing to look forward too!

And on that note, with no school this week, it’s now movie night! I’m leaning towards Rent or Fever Pitch, hmmm

Has anyone else experience such emotional swings while training? Whether it be for a fitness competition, marathon, triathalon, etc.