Monthly Archives: August 2014
Throwback Thursday: Week II
The TBT instagram trend makes it’s second appearance on the blog ;)
Today’s blast from the past comes from last year’s summer roadtrip to the stunning Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. You might be squeezing in one last summer get-away before August ends, and I’ve often commented on my thoughts that fitness should still be a part of vacation-ing.
I posted this a year ago, but it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since our amazing stay in Boise, ID. Every day started with a long run along the Boise River Greenbelt (with SO MANY friendly runners/bikers.) We floated in tubes down the river. We spent an evening at the horse races (my first gambling experience and I WON!). We adored downtown, the cute shops, and the restaurants. We toured Boise State University. I could 100% picture myself living in the beautiful city after college. :)
(July 15, 2013)
Know what’s great about hotel fitness rooms? They are almost always empty! A personal training room :) There is nothing about this workout that makes it specific to hotel gyms so feel free to complete in the comfort of your living room, dorm room, or even at the gym.
We’ve been staying at a hotel in Boise and of course the exercise room was the first thing I checked out when I got here. It’s the best hotel fitness room I’ve seen, not claustrophobic and has a decent amount of equipment! Two treadmills, stationary bike, elliptical, three strength machines, full set of dumbbells, mats and medicine balls plus open space, surround sound, tv and air conditioning. Can’t really ask for much more, can we? It was empty after we first arrived and I had been sitting in the car/airplane for a few hours so I got right to making up my own circuit.
You will need:
- A timer
- Set of weights (I used 10-lb. dumbbells)
Complete 5 sets of Circuit One and then move on to 5 sets of Circuit Two.
A little explanation for circuit one: On sets 1/3/5 do 12 x bicep curls; On sets 2/4 do 12 x tricep extensions. Circuit workouts are designed to go straight from one exercise to the next, keeping the rest time to a minimum. Your heart rate will stay elevated that way!
I know some people like to think of the motto “I’m on vacation” as a guilt-free excuse to indulge in extra foods and take a break from working out. Honestly, staying fit is easier on vacation because there’s no tight schedule to squeeze it into, you’re not exhausted from work or school, and it’s a great way to sight-see if you’re getting active outside. Plus you will feel better about any extra snacking you do, knowing it’s being somewhat counteracted by physical activity. And exercise keeps me happy and feeling good, so vacation and exercise go together like peanut butter & bananas if you ask me :)
Back to the Boise River for us, we have an afternoon of rafting. Catch ya on the flip side!
Kelly’s Famous Energy Bites
You don’t know how tempted I was to call these “Boss Lady Balls.” But then I reconsidered, unsure of what kind of audience a title like that would attract ;)
Kelly (AKA my mom…) whips this recipe up at least once a month now, and I asked her for the measurements so I could share with you! They are so versatile, you really just need a rough guide to start with. Then let you’re creativity take over. (My favorite version includes dried tart cherries and dried apricots, though she has made some butterscotch chip balls that are melt-in-yo-mouth drool-worthy).
There’s nothing too earth-shattering in these. They are simple to throw together and they require no baking (AKA you can make them in your dorm room!) But they are such a hit! Everyone we share them with asks for the recipe to make their own.
The Recipe:
(Makes 40-ish bites)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dried fruit
- 1/3 cup crushed pecans
- 2 tsp vanilla
Combine ingredients and roll onto parchment paper in 1″ balls. Pop them into the freezer and try not to eat the whole batch in one day.
I’m dying to recreate these on my own pretty soon, using pumpkin to replace some of the peanut butter, and smashed banana to replace some of the honey. I’m thinking they’d be pretty great with some crushed pistachios or even a little bit of toasted coconut.
OH THE POSSIBILITES :)
It has the texture of raw cookie dough. Probably the reason why it’s so dang delicious. It feels wrong ;)
And now I’ve shared TWO dessert-y recipes in a row, so I guess we’re due for a little fitness post next, huh?
How Was Your Weekend?