Breakfast of a Champion!

I wanted to show you one of my pre-workout breakfasts.

I'm not talking about a 20 minute walk.  

I'm talking about high interval cardio followed by heavy weight lifting.

Days like that I need fuel.

It has to have protein, carbs and it has to stick to my stomach.

 No sloshing around tolerated because I really don't like puking.

Protein drink by Muscle Milk

160 cals (30g protein)

1 medium banana sliced (100 cals + good carbs)

2 tbsp creamy peanut butter (200 cals + good fats and protein)

Total 460 calories and I won't have to worry about running out of steam

 or leaving my muscles without the protein they need to rebuild.

Pardon the cartoon dishes, I have 3 kids!

Plus eating with Spongebob and Fiona makes it more fun ;)

Healthy Monkey Cookie

2 frames of thought and I agree with both.

Want a real cookie, then eat a real cookie.

vs

Want a real cookie, try a healthier version.

TODAY it's about the healthier version.

I found this one at http://onceamonthmom.com

I'm also going to show you how to calculate the calories in your own recipes.

Don't they look delicious?!

Ingredients

3 medium bananas

2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup Peanut Butter

1/4 cup cocoa

1/3 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

I have a marker board and as I put the ingredients into the mixing bowl I write down the calories.

Grand total for the entire batch is 1470 calories.

Mix it all up and let set for a few minutes.

I don't believe in tiny cookies or mini cupcakes so I made them

"Teresa Size"

Got 23 out of the batch.

Simple math here: 1470/23 = 64 calories each.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  

They won't spread out so you can put them pretty close together.

Not bad when you need a low calorie fix.

Just don't expect them to taste like a cookie made with sugar and butter, ok?

Race Repeat!

I have officially entered my "sophomore year" of races.

Running the same race 1 year later was awesome.

This time I was lighter, faster, stronger, and better trained.

Oh, the difference a year makes!

Last year 53 min

This year 40 mins!

Here's some funny shots of my prep:

Stuffing my key into my bra.  

Forgot to wear my pants with the secret pocket.

Mouthing off to my friend who's taking stupid pics of me while putting on the fairy wings . . . 

because they encourage happy thoughts, right?  ;)

Us girls before the run trying not to psych ourselves out!

She finished in 33 mins and I came in at 40!

Where will you be in 1 year?!

WHAT?!?!

Soapbox warning!

It's been 24 hours and it's still bugging me, so here ya go!

  Yesterday someone said to me:

 I'm so glad you've lost the weight the easy way.  

I feel so bad for the people who have to lose it the hard way.  

WHAT?!?!?!

  A year and a half of changing my eating habits, sweating,
killing myself at the gym, learning new things,
and pushing myself harder than I thought possible is the
EASY WAY!?!?

Nothing about this is easy.

It's hard on so many levels, it's painful, it burns, it's lonely
and sometimes scary . . . 

NOT EASY . . . 

But it's worth it.

I will swear time and time again, it's worth it.

But, don't tell me it's the easy way.

Next time I may not be so gracious ;)

Healthier Stuffed Peppers!

These are high in fiber and protein, filling and super delicious!

Feeds 3 people (2 halves each)

3 bell peppers 72 cals

1 cup cooked rice 213 cals

1 cup black beans 220 cals

2 cooked chicken breast 386 cals

3 Laughing Cow cheese (the spcey kind) 105 cals

1/4 cup salsa 32 cals

Each stuffed pepper (2 halves) = 342 calories!

Cut up the chicken, mix with black beans, rice and salsa.

Scoop mixture into pepper halves and top with slices of the

laughing cow swiss cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Get creative, mix in other veggies or different meats.
Just keep a piece of paper on hand to write down the calories.
 I loved how filling these were and the peppers were still nice and juicy.

Enjoy!
Teresa