Video Recipe: Date Cacao Protein Shake

Did you guys know I have a t-rex hand? It was a surprise to me too.

Nutritious Nutella???

Like basically everyone else in the world, I've gone back and forth between diets for quite some time. Regardless of what "diet" I'm on, however, I never try to deprive myself of too much. Back in the day (when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore, but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again), when I was training for my half-marathon, I was able to restrict myself much more. Then, I was eating around 1500 calories while working out for at least an hour 5-6 days a week. Nowadays, that just isn't happening. 

Fitness Friday: Another Hike

Imagine over an hour on the Stair Master, but skipping three stairs every step and being afraid of falling to your doom.

Recipe: Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwich

I'm not the biggest fan of mayonnaise. But for some reason, I really like Waldorf chicken salad. I just love the mix of flavors and textures: a little sweetness from the grapes, saltiness from the chicken, crunchiness from the almonds, slight bitterness from the celery... it's got everything! But the calorie count in all that mayonnaise is just too much for everyday. So, I made a small adjustment and the outcome was just as delicious.

Fitness Friday

via FitSugar

I don't know about you guys, but all this studying and work on my computer has left my shoulders and back feeling like CUH-RAP. These stretches, however, have really helped me out. 

Fitness Friday

The past couple of weeks have been incredibly ridiculous. Finals are coming up fast and the cost of my severe procrastination has become stupidly apparent. Ya feel me??? I'm sure at least some of you do. Tis the season...

Fitness Friday!

Best believe I did NOT look cute after yesterday's workout. Holy crap. I'll go into more detail later but let's just say I strongly dislike Cassey Ho from Blogilates (but in a good way).

Wheat Berries and Salmon

Happy Healthy Hump Day! 

It's finally gotten a little warmer here! Sadly, it's supposed to rain later today and for the next couple of days...but I'm trying not to think about it for now. For now, let's talk about how I was finally able to run OUTSIDE! At a cool 50 degrees, I was running comfortably outside and taking in the views. [skip down for the recipes!]

Stress Busters [and spring rolls!]

It's that time again, where everything just seems to come at you at once. With graduation approaching, looming deadlines of all sorts, and struggling to just fight the urge to say 'eff it, I'm just going to bake a cake instead', stress is bound to make an unwanted appearance.

Fitness Friday

This is actually a huge rock with a bathtub type hole in the top. Beyond on that opening is a long way down.

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

- Aristotle

Admittedly, I suck. The second week of Fitness Fridays and I neglect it. I apologize. It might be because I didn't really even do anything fitness related last week...oops. Like most trips back to LA, I spent most of my time eating. But! I did get a couple good days outdoors! 

Exhibit A: the Friday before last, my boyfriend and I went on a hike in Chatsworth. Looks hot, doesn't it? A welcome change from the freezing temperatures in Indiana.

Cold and Healthy

Polar Vortex weather doesn't often lend itself well to breakfast options like smoothies. Temperatures low enough to induce even the most stubborn of campuses to announce a snow day usually calls for oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, or a stack of pancakes. (Let it be known that I actually did spoil myself with some peanut butter pancakes on Sunday - in celebration of National Peanut Butter Day. If you didn't already celebrate, there's no harm in some belated festivities.)

But today, I decided to do what the unexpected. Really, for the sake of my health. After being cooped up in my apartment all day (as a result of the aforementioned snow day) I miraculously ended up with a ton of super huge, freshly baked, chocolate chip fleur de sel cookies. Nevermind how it happened, I'm now just more concerned with how quickly the pile has dwindled. 

Hence, the fruit smoothie despite the cold. It pretty much ended up a hodgepodge of everything I had. Pom, mixed berries, greens, yogurt… and I threw in a packet of Vega One protein powder. I've made it my new mission to find a neutral-flavored protein powder I actually like. The strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla thing is just not for me. Artificial flavorings should be reserved for sour watermelon slices and the like.

I found a good review on Vega One and decided honor it with the first test in this case study. I opted for the "natural" non-flavor instead of the vanilla chai. The review for the chai flavor was good, but that seemed a little too aggressive for the fruit smoothies I'd typically make. 

The natural flavor was good. Since the protein powder is plant-based, the "green" taste is certainly noticeable however not overpowering. It added a slight sweetness to the otherwise tart smoothie, and a bit of grittiness as well. The powder didn't dissolve as much as I would have preferred but it definitely wasn't off-putting. Like the greenish taste, it's just noticeable. All-in-all, I'd definitely buy it again. Plus, the protein (15g) to calorie count (123 cal) ration was best compared to other protein options (at least at my local Whole Foods Market Heaven). 

Mixed Berry and Greens Protein Smoothie
[printable recipe]

makes 1 really big smoothie

1/2 C Pom juice

1/2 medium banana

1.5 tsp honey

1 packet Vega One protein powder - natural

1 C frozen mixed berries

1/2 C unsweetened almond milk

2 heaping Tbsp plain greek yogurt

handful mixed greens (spinach, arugula, baby romaine)

Directions: put in blender and blend that shit up.

Happy healthy drinking!

Instagram | Bloglovin

Juice and Soba Noodles

If you guys haven't seen the "Shit People in LA Say" you need to head to the YouTube right now. "Shit" came out a while back, during the whole trend of making "Shit [whoever] in [wherever] Say" videos. Obviously this one hit close to home. (Especially the "Are you leaving?…bitch." part.) And, of course, the part about juicing. Classic Californians jumping on the next health craze bandwagon. Damn you nutrients, you done got me again. 

Here it is. The juice of the day (equally juiced apple not pictured). I bought some carrots earlier in the week that looked like they were dunked in some TGRI ooze and figured they'd be perfect for juicing, so I put them to work (with aforementioned apple, oranges, parsley, kale, 1 celery stalk, and smidgen of lemon). Pretty tasty and healthy way to start the day if I do say so myself. And I just did, so… yeah…

Back to the point, to which I have yet to allude. If you're ever in LA and feeling a bit lonely…perhaps you haven't put the remote control down in a while or you just CAN'T.STOP.PINNING…and you want to have an actual conversation with a real life person take the following steps:

1. Make some juice.

2. Put your juice in a bottle (preferably glass or, better yet, a mason jar)

3. Go to a shopping center.

4. Walk around with juice in hand.

I guarantee someone will come up to you and ask you some variant of "Ohmahgahd! Where'd you buy your juice?! I'm really into juicing right now."

This exact scenario happened to my friend and me when we perused the Grove. I couldn't even help my friend decide on a f*&#in top because we kept getting questions about this damn juice. Note: We bought our juice from Joan's on Third. I highly recommend the restaurant/marketplace. I highly urge you not to buy the green juice. Unless you feel like drinking a bottle of ginger.

On another note, I felt compelled to make a soba noodle and peanut dressing dish recently featured on Cupcakes & Cashmere. She mentioned it quickly became a staple so I figured it'd be good. It was easy, quick, and healthy but I can't say it was my favorite. I felt the recipe was missing something, mostly vegetables, so I added about two teaspoons of Sriracha, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, grape tomatoes, scallions, and roasted chicken breast. 

Recipe Note: If you plan to store leftovers, keep the excess sauce! It dries out as it sits in the fridge. 

Happy cooking! 

Instagram | Bloglovin

Training Motivation

all photos via Lululemon

I love Lululemon. I know there was some sort of issue about some of their pants being see-through, but last I heard no one really complained (at least I wouldn't imagine any guys did). Either way, I've never really had any problems with their products so I'll keep purchasing until something comes up. Speaking of things of theirs I have: wunder under pants, running pants, running crops, running skirt, a gym bag, vinyasa scarf, long sleeve running top, a couple tanks, hoodie, and headband. The only things that I don't really like or use is the gym bag and the headband. I go to the gym across the street from my apartment so I just really don't have to use a gym bag and the headband won't stay on my head. (I blame the weird shape of my dome rather than the band, though.) But I mean, how cute is all their stuff? I love it! And it just gives me that little push of excitement enabling me to get out the door for my workout.

[Not so] Random Gripe of the Day: People who constantly wear workout gear out but never workout. Stop it. You're not fooling anyone. (Unless they're just yoga pants. Those are just the bee's knees in comfort so I don't blame you.)

Truth be told, I've attempted a life revamp since returning to school. I am most certainly not where I want to be as far as physical appearances and overall athleticism, and I haven't been for quite some time. I was always athletic in high school and continued participating in at least some sports throughout college (mostly tennis). In 2008 (I can't believe how long it's been), I ran my first race–a half-marathon–and it was glorious. One of the best things I've ever done simply because it was always a goal I thought unattainable. I finished without any walking and I couldn't have been happier. However, I've been on a slight but constant downslope since then. Work presented itself as an all too convenient excuse to skip workouts and then school took over where work left off. I'm sure you've all been there and, if not, have heard it all before.

I would often reminisce about the horrible training program I went through in order to get in shape for the half. It was horrible and incredibly restrictive but I felt great and that feeling out-shined the struggle that came with eating 1200-1500 calories a day and logging at least five two-hour workouts every week. Not to mention I saved useless calories by never, ever drinking alcohol (or anything else with calories except smoothies for that matter). Strangely, I wanted to get back to that, but motivation was seriously lacking. Wishing for it just wasn't enough. So, when I came back to school I decided it was a perfect check point to just make myself start up again. C'mon, Christine. Don't be a bitch. My mantra that gets me going. 

Despite my food posts, I'm actually very conscious of what I eat. I try to consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible, only whole wheat when eating grains, lean meat, yogurt, nonfat milk or unsweetened almond milk, black coffee, tea, and tons of water. I've been consistent with this despite the occasional cheat meals (today, it was pizza) or cup of Velveeta mac and cheese (180 calories and SO good!). 

Speaking of, I often follow up my runs with a smoothie. Smoothies could possibly be my favorite breakfast for after workouts. They're refreshing, surprisingly filling, and really REALLY easy to put together. And quick! This one has frozen blueberries, banana, nonfat milk, chia seeds, and wheat germ. Damn, I just realized I forgot to add shredded, unsweetened coconut...

I've also been much better about workouts and ran my first 5K a couple weeks ago. I've been pretty consistent with workouts as of late, that is when lack of sleep and tons of school work haven't gotten completely in the way.

Here's to lots of workouts, feeling great, and looking super cute in Lululemon!

Instagram | Bloglovin