Cold?

For the past couple of days I've been feeling under the weather and today I woke up to a 9 month old crawling all over me, sore throat, and a stuffy nose. Least to say that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. 
I had zero motivation to do ANYTHING. But guess what? I still worked out and got my shower in all before 10:30am. Sometimes even when you don't FEEL like doing something, it just means that you need to try harder, and do it anyway. I found that I only want to accomplish a  difficult task when I'm feeling my "A" game.Catch my drift? On days like this, your body is testing you to see if you really have it in you to stay with the program. 
Give yourself a pep talk and slap the laziness out of you. 
Get on with your day, get on with LIFE!    

Cookie Dough ATTACK!

So if you are like me, you might have a sometimes unhealthy relationship with dough (especially cookie dough). My fix are these almost guilt free and HEALTHY yummies :)

Healthy Cookie Dough Snack With Protein

Makes 1 serving

1 Tbsp natural peanut butter (could also use almond butter)
1/2 scoop (15 grams) chocolate or vanilla whey protein powder
1 tsp agave nectar syrup (or honey)
2 tsp raisins
2 tsp mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup quick oats
1 Tbsp unsweetened almond breeze (or milk of choice)

In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder & agave until almost combined.  Add in chocolate chips, raisins, oats & stir.  Add almond breeze (or milk) to help bring it all together into a dough.  Enjoy as is (cookie dough!), or place in plastic wrap to form into a bar & refrigerate or freeze for later. You can always omit the protein powder and add cocoa powder or vanilla extract. 

Nutrition (per entire recipe)
Calories: 300  Fat: 12.5 g  Carbs: 33.4 g  Sugars: 13.7 g  Fiber: 3.2 g  Protein: 18.2 g

Cold, wet, and hungry?

Today I was battling the idea to go for my scheduled road bike ride.

The weather seemed like it wanted me to stay inside sipping my coffee. The problem is that when I have something written down that I planned to do, but then don't follow up with it, my brain takes that chance to pound me down with reasons why I NEED to do it

 (even though I might pay later). I kept telling myself that Its 39 degrees out and the windshield is already at 15 mph, meaning that my ride will be painful, to say the least. 

At this moment I'm still battling my brain, while it starts to sprinkle out and the wind picks up. 

Even though this morning I already busted out a great workout and a cardio session, I still feel the need to go out there, against all odds. 

Please don't make me feel like a loner here, comment and let me know if you have had those sort of days. 

Also, for anyone curious to know (and maybe try out tonight) here is my workout for today:

Total Body Burnout 15 rounds of 2 intervals 10/50

123 spider pushup

x10 mountain climbers w/ clean and press

Shoulder press w/side kick

Knee raises w/side extension

Side jump lunge

(20 lbs. of weight added)

Bonus!

Star Abs

50 burpees 

Elevated mountain climbers

+20 min. jump rope/elliptical  

You and those workout trainers.

The tough thing about working out is just that, tough! 
  Some people don't have the MENTAL capacity to grasp the concept of getting up and sweating your butt off everyday. It's all about WILLpower, the brain is the number one thing that keeps people from moving, or doing things out of their comfort zone.
 Are you really THAT tired? Are your muscles really not able to do 5 jumping jacks NOW? I bet not. Even the most seasoned athletes have these "mental block" days. 
So think of your brain as a fence and you are on one side holding a bright red balloon. RISE above that negative thinking "fence". 
You CAN do it. Get into that sports bra and those trainers and get moving! Really, those jumping jacks now please :) 

Nutella, my forbidden love.

Dear Nutella,
As you know, you and I have had a love hate relationship for as long as I can remember.
But I found something to replace you, something better and gluten free. Sorry, I think I found your replacement. He's sugar free, and guilt free. So, I'm letting you go. Please don't blame me, I found this amazing recipe here: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com

Better than Nutella

(Makes about 2 cups)

• 2 cups raw hazelnuts (240g)
• 1 1/2 T pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup plus 2 T agave or sugar (A sugar-free option is noted in the directions)
• 1 packet stevia, or 1 T more agave or sugar
• 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
• optional: 2-3 tsp oil (for extra smoothness)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (I used Almond Breeze)

Roast hazelnuts for 10-14 minutes at 420 F. Rub them together in a paper towel to get the skins off. (It’s ok if a few stubborn skins won’t come off.) In a food processor, blend the nuts until they’ve turned to butter, then add all other ingredients and blend a long time until it’s smooth like Nutella! (I think I blended off-and-on for a full two minutes in my Cuisinart.)