Thrive Energy Bars

I recently ordered Brendan Brazier's (of Vega fame) Thrive cookbook. So far, so good!

I've noticed that as my workouts get longer, I sometimes need a little snack to keep me going, especially on days where I double up (1 hr yoga and 30-45 mins. cardio) or longer weight lifting sessions followed by running. 

I decided to try out Brendan Brazier's Green Energy Bar recipe. These are like homemade LaraBars, but are freezable (without getting hard!) and way more economical. 

The recipe makes 8 bars. I have them scored and frozen in parchment so that I can break off a bar whenever I need one. Perfect gym snack!!

Eat To Live: My Modifications

Eat To Live, in the initial 6 week plan, is very strict. This being my 2nd round with it (and having experienced great success the first time), I have made a few adjustments that keep me sane and healthy while still encouraging the fat loss. I am also incorporating aspects of Tosca Reno's Eat Clean diet as well.

Rules I follow:
I eat the recommended amount (or more) of fruit and veg, raw and cooked daily.
I eat the cup of beans/tofu.
I eat the daily flaxseed (usually in my smoothie).
I eat the cup of healthy grain.
I get my 2 oz. of healthy fat.
I use minimal salt (rinse canned beans/veg) and stick to substitutes like Bragg's aminos.
I use minimal oil (saute in water).
I eat a minimal amount (if any most days) of processed food.
I drink the water.
I do not drink alcohol.
I exercise.

Rules I break:
I start *every* day with a cup of coffee. I use stevia and plain So Delicious coconut milk creamer, so the diet impact is minimal.
I exercise way more than a "moderate" level. I am a mover and a shaker!
I over eat the grain (usually extra oats or quinoa) recommendation by 1/2-1 cup a day to give myself the energy I need for 45-60 mins. daily of cardio.
I eat more protein (Nutiva Hemp powder, yogurt, etc.) to support the strength training I am doing.
I eat multiple small meals a day rather than 3 with no snacks.

So far, my adjustments seem to fit my lifestyle while still allowing me to see results. Everyone's needs and habits are unique. We shall see!

Post-Workout Bliss

 

Soggy heart rate strap (whoohoo BodyPump!) and a free venti soy latte!

In other news, I wish the accessories fairy would drop this bundle curated by Tiny Devotions at my door today!

TOMS ballet flats, Kitson LAboho phone cover, Lululemon Athletica chevron tees with our Tuxedo mala. ♥

Have a great day!!

Eat To Live Breakfast: Overnight Oats

 I am in love with overnight oats! I have seen them made with yogurt, tofu, non-dairy milk, and fruit juice. I want to try so many recipes!

Today's was yogurt, unsweetened almond milk, apples, and peaches. Yum!

My vitamins! I take a probiotic, spirulina. COQ10, green tea, and some random freebies from the health food store :p

I am trying stevia in my coffee. Technically, coffee is off-limits on E2L, but I still have a little cup most days. I use So Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer and am trying this liquid stevia. The powdered is too strong for me even in tiny amounts, but 1 or 2 drops of this seems pretty good in my cuppa!

E2L progress: I have no idea! Feeling amazing, but I had my husband hide the scale from me for while! This is all on me and my motivation now! I'm also starting to add in some Eat Clean principles from Tosca Reno, so we shall see!

Eat To Live: Fruit Sundae!

Eat To Live is going well- today marks my 7th day back on this plan.

So far, I am feeling well and not going hungry by any means (though I do try and stop eating before it gets too late, which will result in a hunger pang if I stay up too late!). The scale has moved down about 2 pounds or so. It's hard to really know as I am actively doing strength training as well as cardio, which can confuse the scale.

My big answer will be in the first or second week of October. I have an 8 week training period that ends then, and I'll have another body fat percentage check with the trainer. It was at 36% initially (about 3 weeks ago). Livestrong.com says, "A healthy body fat percentage for an adult woman is between 14 and 31 percent" so I have a ways to go! I am worrying less about the scale and really thinking about what I eat and how I exercise. 



Only complaint with E2L right now is regarding the fiber! I am following the plan and working out daily, but my tummy is like a blaoted drum! I have done the requisite Googling and it seems that the initial increase in fiber can take some adjusting.  I hope it settles down soon! 











Here's last night's dessert- it was super delicious! I chopped up a Pink Lady apple and topped it with crumbled Banana Oat Bars (recipe follows). On top of that I put some homemade banana soft serve (banana and unsweetened almond milk processed and frozen). A sprinkle of cinnamon finished this off! So good and perfectly within the eating plan!! 

Yummy Banana Oat Bars

• 2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup finely chopped apple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Press into a 9-by-9-inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. When cool, cut into squares or bars.

Eat To Live Round 2: Smoothie Time!

A few years back I had some serious health/fitness success following Dr. Fuhrman's Eat To Live program. After a couple of recent months of weird eating, frustrating calorie counting, and busting it at the gym with NO results, I have decided that although it can get a bit tough at times, E2L is definitely the right long-term plan for me. So in other words, I'm baaaaaaaaaaack! 

Its way easier this time (I say on Day 3!) since I have already cut my alcohol consumption down to nothing and I still don't eat many animal products. I am working out pretty seriously, so I am using some extra food and a vegan protein powder (Nutiva) in moderation. 


Lots of salads, soups, beans, fruit, and smoothies! Today I tried a chocolate smoothie. I went into a real skeptic, but I cant slurp it fast enough now- so good!

Eat to Live's Chocolate Smoothie

From "Eat to Live" this is a delicious way to start your day! 

Minutes to Prepare: 5

Number of Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 cup spinach, baby and organic if possible
2/3 cup blueberries, frozen
1 medium banana
1 tbsp. ground flax seeds
1 tbsp. cocoa powder (I used raw cacao powder)
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup water (optional)

Stuffed Mushrooms!

Oh heavenly!! Check out these delicious stuffed mushrooms from Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. SO GOOD!!

They are stuffed with a lime/garlic/herb mixture and they were amazing. 

In other news, check out my new garage sale collapsible measuring cups. These are easy to store, and easy to carry in my purse too! While I am in bootcamp fitness mode, I measure out restaurant food. A little silly, but so much more workable in terms of my health goals right now. :D

Cheers!

6 Calorie Mini Pumpkin Muffins

I love sweets! Despite being on a fitness plan that does involve counting calories, I find ways to work in bready sweets. Deprivation is no way to go!

One method I use is omitting sugar and replacing flour with a low-carb baking mix. 

I made the pumpkin bread recipe from Happy Herbivore, omitted the sugar, and used mini muffin cups rather than a loaf pan. This yielded 50 mini muffins at only 6 calories apiece- awesome! Not terribly sweet, but hits the spot perfectly for me. 

Here's the recipe with my changes:

Ingredients

• ¼ cup non-dairy milk ( I used unsweetened almond milk)
• ¼ tsp lemon juice
• 15 ounces pumpkin
• 1 cup brown sugar (I omitted)
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (I used agave nectar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill low carb baking mix)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease or spray a standard bread pan. Whisk non-dairy milk and lemon juice together until bubbly and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, cream pumpkin, nectar, and extract together. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin pie spice, flour, baking soda and baking powder together. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until just combined. 

Makes 50 mini muffins, 6 calories each :)