Saturday Snow

Today I woke up to a snow covered Saturday morning! I'm not really a big fan of snow, so I've been waiting for the roads to clear so that I can head to the gym! Last night I started prepping food for my second week of training. I'm thinking of starting the morning off with this protein shake:

1 cup almond milk

1 cup water

1 scoop plantfusion protein powder

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

2 frozen strawberries

Then, after the gym I'll refuel with this recipe:

Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Pops

2 Bananas

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

cinnamon

sliced almonds

2 tbsp ground flax seed

To make, all you do is peel the bananas and stick a popsicle stick in each. Then, mix the yogurt with the desired amount of cinnamon. Coat each banana with yogurt mixture. Roll the pops in almonds. Place in the freezer for 40-45 minutes.

 As usual, we indulged in our Friday night pizza! If you're training mean and eating clean all week, go for the pizza! Can't wait to start the new week!

Chocolately Goodness

So, you made it halfway through the week! Why not treat yourself to a delicious, chocolate chip oatmeal bar? Think chocolate isn't a part of training? Boy are you wrong! I enjoyed making these as a midday break between observing my Spanish class in the morning, and class at night.

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup oat flour

1/3 cup protein powder (optional)

1 T chia seeds 

1 t cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

3 egg whites

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

2 T smooth natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

1/2 T honey

5 drops of liquid stevia (or 1 T more of honey)

1 t vanilla

1/4 cup carob chips (or chocolate chips)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl combine all dry ingredients: oats, oat flour, protein powder, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl combine all wet ingredients: bananas, egg whites, almond milk, peanut butter, honey, liquid stevia, and vanilla.
4. Slowly pour and stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is well mixed, then gently stir in the carob chips.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 8 x 5 in. or 8 x 8 in. baking dish.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 15-20 minutes.**
7. Cut into 8 squares and enjoy.

(Recipe By Fitsugar)

"Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

Hello there! It has been a while since I've posted on here, and I have a lot to catch you up on! The new year has welcomed a new me and I am happier than ever! I joined a new gym, started a new semester at school, bought new clothes and new running shoes, finished decorating my newly designed room, started a new eating plan, and started a new training plan for my upcoming half-marathon in April. Keyword: NEW. Out with the old, in with the new!

I am SO excited for tomorrow with the kick-off of my 12-week training for the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in DC. Here are some of the things I've been doing so far to get ready:

Lunch! Crock-pot Buffalo Chicken lettuce wraps with greek yogurt cucumber feta dressing.

 Food prep for the week! I have a really busy schedule with classes all day, so I make everything on the weekend so I have everything ready to go all week.

Finally perfected my chocolate peanut butter protein shake!
1scoop PlantFusion protein
1 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp chocolate pb2
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
Shake and enjoy! I certainly do!

I am really looking forward to what the next 12 weeks will bring. I have never felt so empowered, or have been so committed to a workout/eating routine, and I can't wait to experience the transformation from start to finish. I don't have any real goal set in mind, but as long as I feel better about myself, and do better than I did the day before, I will be one happy runner girl.

Can't wait to update my progress next Sunday!

Oh yeah, happy super bowl Sunday! Is it time for chicken chili yet?