Monthly Archives: November 2012
Winter Workout Plan
Is it too soon for Christmas music? I THINK NOT! If Starbucks’ coffee cups can have snowmen and snowflakes, then all festivity is fair game.
Winter seemed to make its appearance today after weeks of the best sunny weather. I woke up this morning to ferocious winds and sideways rain fall, not exactly the running weather I anticipated.
So what are we to do when the weather turns dreary and rain or snow challenge our outdoor activities? If you are a hardcore cross country runner, weather is no barrier. Last year, my teammates and I literally ran through a blizzard. Not the most delightful workout but definitely unforgettable. There were tears.
But if rain or snow does put a damper on your outdoor workout plan, you can still get in some decent cardio, strength training and stretching in the comfort of your (warm and dry) home.
Really there are TONS of indoor, no-equipment-required fitness plans (I find them on Pinterest!). But if you know you will be stuck indoors for a good chunk of the winter weather, you might want to invest in some “props.” Medicine balls, Bosu Balls, Swiss Balls, Resistance Bands and some light weights. I will do a workout post on each of these in the next couple of weeks. Variety will keep you motivated and free from boredom!
And of course, if snow comes your way, you can always embrace it!
And if you have a gym membership, then weather ain’t no thang. My outdoor run has been moved to a treadmill, and this afternoon I’ll be doing some indoor rock climbing with a friend! We can work around weather ;)
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Butterscotch Pudding Parfaits
I have a perpetual sweet tooth. Sometimes I squash my nighttime chocolate-cravings with a decaf coffee or a warm bowl of oatmeal. Sometimes I give in. But it’s week one of No Gain November, I have no chocolate in my room and vending machines are off-limits. I concocted this fun dessert for my roommate and I to go with our late night of studying! (Don’t worry, I finished it before 8pm per No Gain November rules ;) )
They are so much more fun to eat out of a mason jar! These jars are definitely two servings each, and I have half of mine left to enjoy tomorrow :) Really there are so many different ways to make a pudding parfait but start with a Sugar-Free Fat-Free pudding mix.
Totally have the salty & sweet concoction going on here! I layered pudding, banana slices, and fat-free Cool Whip, topping it off with cashews and pretzels. The cashews were a little TOO salty and my tongue felt weird afterwards. I think almond slivers would be great next time.
The best part is I made this all in my dorm room, it was so simple. No “cooking” required. Time to brainstorm other semi-healthy parfait toppings…. Obviously berries would be great. Maybe shredded coconut? (I’m visualizing the baking aisles of the grocery store right now :D ) Pecans or walnuts. DARK CHOCOLATE. Mmmm. What else am I forgetting?
Sometimes it’s nice to take the time to make something fun and pretty! The golden and yellow colors from the butterscotch, bananas and cashew were very autumn-y. I think Fernanda the Roommate, approved! :)
Last night I came off 0f a huge running high after completing my first “speed” workout of the season with my cross country team. We did mile repeats on a beautiful trail through the mountain forests. The whole workout was top notch, from a breezy 2 mile warm up to some faster-than-expected mile intervals, some 100 meter sprints thrown in at the end and a lovely 2 mile cool down back to our team vans. Thankful to be able to run again!
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Weekend Re-cap and Blog Round-Up
We are 5 days in to No Gain November! It’s not too late to start now, either. Let these healthy habits to help during the holidays :)
So I originally had a blog post planned for yesterday. It was going to be about how a friend and I volunteered at the local Food Bank on Saturday. Except you will never believe what happened….THEY TURNED US AWAY. Can you imagine a volunteer-run organization actually rejecting willing and able college students trying to do some community service? I couldn’t.
On one hand we were disappointed that our Saturday plans had been changed. On the other, how amazing is it that there was such an abundance of people volunteering their time that the organizations’ needs were fulfilled! Obviously Thanksgiving is a common time for community service in food banks and soup kitchens, a time when we are reminded that the less fortunate need these services the other eleven months of the year too.
We will try again next weekend. Any how, this put a damper on my blog plans. I had no fancy dessert or fun exercise circuit planned. So I bring you a Blog Round-up:
I created Strong Like My Coffee over three months ago. It’s amazing the places that this blog has reached (seriously, countries I had never heard of. How amazing!) and I’m excited to keep growing and posting. Now with over 80 posts, it’s kind of fun to look at some of my favorite and forgotten posts.
Summer Seafood: Shrimp Burgers with Peachy Salsa
Please make these! They were one of the top 10 dinners I have EVER made.
AMAZING Strawberry Banana Oat “Cookies”
These healthy cookies were one of my most popular recipes, and understandably so. I can’t wait to make these again!
This was mainly just a fun experiment! I had no idea what to expect when I poured these ingredients in a saucepan, but hoped for the best and it worked out pretty tastefully :) Anything with pumpkin spice already earns bonus points in my book.
Always good to find your fitness motivation. Cross Country and Track races are mine, but soon it will be marathons!
I actually refer to this list myself when I’m in the snacking mood. (Is that conceited?)
Thanks for reading! I am excited for all the new recipes I can’t wait to try and workouts I can’t wait to share. Make it a great Monday :)
