Fitness Friends & Food

For some reason, I underestimated the length of this blogpost. I didn’t realize how many photos I had taken over the past week or how much Ive been doing. Or maybe I haven’t been doing much, but simply taking an overabundance of photos? I figured I could knock this blogpost out in a couple of hours, but it’s five hours later and I’m still here. The hardest part about writing recap posts is remembering the order of events. I tried picking and choosing what to post, but in the end I wanted to share everything. I hope you guys don’t mind a super long recap! I’m about to make my second cup of coffee and get to writing.

I’ve been getting out every morning for my walk as part of the July Fit Challenge. It’s day 14 and everyone is kicking butt! There is nothing better than walking while the sun is rising. It’s nice and cool here in the mornings (about 78 degrees) so I get the chance to take Grumples for a walk before it’s too hot.

I’ve been all about protein shakes lately. It’s a great way to cool the body down after a workout as well as refueling it. Here is one I’ve been loving lately!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana!

Banana 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 packet chocolate protein powder stevia ice 1 Tbsp Gold Emblem Abound Peanut Butter!

Day five of the July Fitness challenge was tough.

DAY FIVE: Tue 7/5
Evening/Morning Walk (30-45 minutes) *for relaxation.
Run 1-2 Miles. YOUR PACE.
Find a yoga class or yoga video.
30 middle crunches, 30 left side crunches, 30 right side crunches REPEAT 3X
*Stretch 10-15 Minutes

Not only did I do the challenge circuit, but I ended up running in the evening.

And then this happened…

I was heading towards the field to take a photo and CHOMP. Luckily, I was quick enough to grab the snake and throw him into the field away from me. I knew immediately it was a black rat snake because my dad gets these lil big guys in the backyard all the time. I could have been not-so-lucky if it was a poisonous snake. Learned my lesson…

After cleaning up the wound and showering, I made some dinner with leftover homemade pasta sauce, spaghetti squash and ground turkey.

I was up bright and early the next morning to get my challenge workout over with before 100 degrees rolled in. I don’t know what it is with animals lately, but I keep having encounters. There was a rottwieler standing in the middle of the road on my walk and it was still as ever. It looked at me like “don’t you dare come near me.” I turned around and went the other way. He watched me walk until I was a spec in the road. It was so weird.

DAY SIX: Wed 7/6
Evening/Morning Walk (30-45 minutes) *for relaxation. *1 minute jumping jacks *1 minute jump squats *30 sit ups *10 push ups *50 mountain climbers *1 minute wall sit- Repeat 3X *Stretch 10-15 Minutes

After my workout, I was relaxed and ready for coffee with Grumples! I’m glad he didn’t go on that walk with me. It was too hot and he seemed pretty content on the couch. I don’t think he would have backed down from a dog on dog stare down.

I’ve been on top of the Tiny Toast craze. If you haven’t tried the Blueberry Tiny Toast Cereal

yet, you need to! The strawberry and blueberry flavors are awesome. I love mixing it with unsweetened almond milk for breakfast before a workout. I had some nighttime cravings a couple nights ago and thought it would be a good idea to dip the strawberry Tiny Toast in creamy peanut butter…it wasn’t a good idea…it was a GREAT one.

Cereal is always my go-to before long runs.

Kyle and I walked to Amelies French Bakery to grab some coffees to drink while we watch our Wednesday night show! I ordered the le sombre chai! It’s so good.

I also ordered a fruit and granola parfait for dinner. They have the best parfaits! They make their own yogurt and granola the fruit is always so fresh. I have my own yogurt making machine, but I still haven’t used it! I need to get on that.

Grumples and I enjoyed the rainy Thursday morning. He likes to sit at the top of the couch like a cat and watch the rain fall. He’s never been afraid of storms.

The fitness challenge was nice and easy! I did my early morning run and 200 sit ups throughout the day.

Breakfast protein shake!

1 small banana 5 strawberries 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder 4 egg whites (you can’t taste them) 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 packet chocolate protein powder stevia ice!

*Post workout snack*

1 cup plain Greek yogurt mixed with Everly Pomegranate Maqui Berry Drink Mix

. The drink mix keeps it low sugar and flavorful! It’s kind of like Crystal Light but sweetened with the Stevia plant to keep it zero calorie and all natural. I also added strawberries and Nature Valley Maple Brown Sugar Granola Crunch .

I tossed together a giant salad while my chicken was on the grill. This had spring mix lettuce, croutons, avocado, and Quest Chips for protein! I used the sour cream and onion flavor. I used a balsamic for my dressing.

Grumples and I headed to the park to play after dinner. He played with the bubbles for about an hour and another dog joined in!

I had a crazy sweet tooth on Thursday night while I was watching my movie. I made a random popcorn bowl with Lightly Sweet Boom Chicka Pop

WOATS (Cookies n Cream Granola)

a couple dark chocolate almonds and Blueberry Tiny Toast Cereal

. It was my random dessert trail mix bowl I can’t be the only one that does this…

♥ Afternoon Almond Latte ♥
*1/8 teaspoon almond extract 2 Nespresso Pods 1 tablespoon light cream!

My model of Nespresso machine Milk Frother.
Nespresso Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother

I met up with Becca for lunch on Friday. She had the rest of the day off from work so she could get ready for her trip. We went to Panera bread. I ordered a Greek salad with avocado, chicken, tomatoes, onion, almonds, kale, asiago cheese crisps and cucumbers! I also ordered a side of fresh fruit. I had a long run planned for the evening so I wanted to get fueled up!

While Becca packed up her suitcases, I headed over to the trails for my run. I had eleven miles planned, but I could only hit ten and then I walked 0.7! I have been taking these Gatorade Energy Chews

on my run for 2 reasons! 1. ENERGY & 2. My throat gets SO dry because of the hot air and the Gatorade chews fix that in seconds. I have a little pocket in my shorts that I keep them in. I hate running in shorts and I don’t know why I keep doing it.

I called up Becca once I was done with my run and she met me at the park so we could go for a walk together. I love to walk after my runs. If I don’t walk my legs get so stiff.

We like to stop randomly and do little strength training exercises. When we find stairs, we go up and down them for 3 minutes or more. The cops were sitting at the top of the parking lot in their squad cars watching us as if we were crazy…and maybe they’re right.

I say this every time I run here, but Little Sugar Creek & Freedom Park is gorgeous! It feels like I’m walking in a fairytale.

Friday night was so stormy! Grumples and I put on a scary movie and I feel asleep before ten.

I don’t know what came over me on Saturday morning but I was motivated…and this was BEFORE coffee. I woke up at 5am to drop Becca off at the airpot and then headed straight to Crowder’s mountain for a hike. I went all the way to the top and then finished my workout with a three mile run, followed by a ab weight workout in the gym!

My mom and I wanted to have a shopping day, so I got cleaned up and headed to the outlets with her!

*Post workout breakfast shake*
1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup blueberries 1 banana ice unsweetened almond milk stevia ground flaxseeds chia seeds 1 tsp local honey.

Finally got my coffee!

I love shopping with my mom. I’ve been doing it for 25 years now and it never gets old! She has a summer trip coming up so we helped her shop for dresses. I’m so so so proud of her. She’s been on the Whole 30 running 4 times a week and she’s lost fifteen lbs.

Shopped until I dropped!

I headed back to my parents house after shopping, so we could have dinner and lay out by the pool.

My man ♥

A little post shopping snack! Pineapple & Pistachios.

I didn’t think twice when I saw the Finding Nemo Pool Float

…into the cart it went! I had to drive to my parents house with a Nemo head sticking out of my car window.

My dad grilled me up some chicken and I had almonds and strawberries on the side.

I headed uptown Charlotte later that night to meet up with Kyle and his friends that were in town visiting. I’m kind of obsessed with his friends. They’re hilarious and the coolest group I’ve ever met.

I can’t believe I’ve lived here almost 2 1/2 years and it was my first time ever going to Fahrenheit. It’s a great spot to get a drink and a city view.

My girl SMASHETON! Charlotte blogger fitness unicorn.

To say that I’m happy is an understatement.

If I were to dedicate a blogpost to this guy, it would be pages on pages long. He’s one of a kind and I don’t know how I got so lucky.

After too many glasses of wine on Saturday night…breakfast was a must. I slept in until noon Sunday… I’ve never slept past 10 AM in my entire life. We went to Dandelion Market for breakfast and it was great. I can’t believe I haven’t been there yet! I ordered the Dando veggie omelet with a side of bacon. The omelet had havarti cheese, tomatoes, peppers and onion. I love an omelet full of flavor and this one hit the spot. Their coffee was PERFECT. It tasted like French press. I only had one cup because water was my main priority.

I slept by the pool the rest of the day and then finally made it to the gym! After my REALLY BAD workout, I made some protein cookies. I’ll be sharing those recipes soon. I made a peanut butter protein cookie and a oatmeal breakfast cookie. This type of day reminds me of why I don’t drink. I like to be productive and the throbbing pain made it impossible.

I made crockpot chicken and roasted vegetables on Monday night.

Vegetables had two cups of chopped brussels sprouts, 2 sweet diced potatoes, garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, minced onion, sea salt and 1 tsp brown sugar. I baked the vegetables for 45 minutes on 375. I continued to flip them every fifteen minutes.

I placed a whole chicken in the crock pot with four cups of unsalted chicken broth! It’s a very plain and simple way to cook chicken, but it tastes like rotisserie chicken after cooking on high for four hours.

I had leftovers for lunch on Tuesday! I made an omelet that consisted of one egg yolk and five egg whites.

My neighbor brought me over a bag of the best peaches I’ve ever had! He bought them at a local farmers market and I’m going to head there today to pick up more. I had to eat the peach over a cup because it was SO JUICY. Him and I are always passing food back and fourth! He brought me over a stromboli the other night and I brought him cookies. I love him and his wife! I make sure to stop over and see them every morning when I’m around.

I met up with some friends to play basketball Tuesday afternoon after my visit to the Dentist! We like to play 21 and then “workout knockout.” It’s kind of like a game of h-o-r-s-e but with a twist. For example…I call a workout (five jump squats) and then take a shot from anywhere on the court. If I make it, that person has to make it from the same spot. If they do not make it, they have to do five jump squats. It gets so hard! Jonny and I have been playing basketball together for two years now! Jonny and his sister also make the best Dominican food on the planet!

I’m usually half dead once we are done.

I burn so many calories and sweat so much playing basketball. It’s one of my favorite sports! It was 98 degrees out and we played for a couple hours.

I had a protein shake for dinner! (I also had a protein bar

before going to bed)

*Dinner Protein Shake*
2 scoops Dymatize Whey Protein Powder

1 large banana ice unsweetened almond milk stevia 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds 2 tablespoons chia seeds 1 tsp local honey 1 peach.

As soon as Grumples and I headed uptown…it started to rain! The sky was so weird. One side was clear and the other was black.

Charlotte ♥

The storm factory ♥♥

This weekend is going to be so relaxing. I don’t plan on doing anything other than working out, watching movies and maybe exploring a bit around my city!

Questions for you!

1. What are your weekend plans?
2. It’s 9pm at night and you have a sweet tooth. What do you go for?
3. So…are you playing Pokemon Go? (i am)