take care + toffee chip roasted banana ice cream

<<rewind<<

to last wednesday.

missed my super early cycle class but i still made it to the gym with enough time to get it in on my own that day. i have been putting my best foot forward about hitting the gym super early every single day as opposed to only when i teach my classes.   my body just operates better in the early morning.  as the day goes on, my desire to workout decreases dramatically.  i was able to record a HIIT & abs video i will be uploading to my YouTube channel for ya asap!

i came back home and had one of those breakfasts i could eat every day: whole wheat toast, eggs, avocado, and fruit. i wonder how many pics i have of this plate on my blog already, jeez.  i fueled up so i could head right back out though; i had a hot date planned!

ok, the boys came with me.  ok, it was actually a playdate, haha.  we loaded up the truck and went to spend some time with my BM (baby mama), Marguerite.

she had this beauty, Callie, back in August '14 so Dego was in great company!

i even brought my meals with me so i could stay on track for the day: seasoned chicken breast chunks, sautéed kale, and roasted sweet potato. nothin' fancy!

transforming is fun...and needed.  since leaving the IT industry 2 years ago, i normally only 'dress up' and do something with myself for church and special occasions/events. other than that, i'm in gym clothes and sneakers.  running errands with the boys... ha. i get home from the gym, get them ready, and head right back out most days.  so, i have become accustom to looking a hot mess often.  and i'm ok with it. until i see somebody i know!!! anyway, it's fun to get girly and put more effort into my appearance.  just a little goal of mine that was set at the start of this year along with taking better care of my hair. moms often take care of everybody else and end up with a lack of time for themselves!  make no mistake though; taking time for yourself doesn't mean you must spend hours in the mirror. it means taking and making (15, 20, 30 min or so) every single day to do something for YOU, mentally, emotionally, and physically with NO GUILT. pick a few from this list:

• reading your bible, praying, and meditating. every day.
• working out...especially the sauna or steam room to clear your mind
• learn how to say no, then do it
• get a pedicure
• read a little bit of a GOOD book every day
• take a class (cooking, pottery, painting, YOGA!!!!, etc)
• a long bubble bath soak
• watch the sunrise, solo
• a quiet, daily walk
• dance without music
• sleep in
• go get some fro-yo
• lay down in the middle of the grass and look up at the sky
• a kid-less trip to the store
• schedule a monthly massage
• catch up with friends via a real phone conversation or meet for lunch
• pause, breathe, inhale, exhale, repeat.

i sure do feel better when i'm put together (hair combed, dressed, face made) and looking my best.  my top and bottoms are from H & M! i exchanged the heels for flats before i left though. comfort over style ova heeeere! things have changed.

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my Ninja blender is the BOMB!  what a useful, blessing this Christmas gift is.  the next flavor i whipped up was Toffee Chip Roasted Banana Ice Cream but the roasting part is actually optional. tastes fantabulous either way.

 above was the soft-serve stage and i wanted to devour the entire bowl right then!!! readyyyyy?

Toffee Chip Roasted Banana Ice Cream

the stuff:

• 3 frozen bananas
• 1 cup coconut cream (i get mine canned from Sprouts Farmers Market)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup toffee pieces

do this:

1. if roasting, do this step the day before or 2-3 hours prior: place bananas in baking dish, drizzle with vanilla, bake for 40-45 min on 375 degrees.  toss them halfway through baking.  transfer bananas to a freezer safe container and freeze 2 hours minimum or overnight for best results. jump down to #3, add your coconut cream, and continue.
2. if not roasting, add frozen bananas to your Ninja along with the coconut cream and vanilla.
3. blend until smooth. it will eventually get super-duper creamy, don't worry! just keep scraping the sides down and blending.
4. dump creamy soft-serve into your bowl and add mix-ins (chocolate chips, toffee, optional nuts, etc.)
5. eat a few spoonfuls!!!!
6. stir it just a few times to incorporate the mix-ins then put it back in the freezer.
7. after 2 hours or so, it's all yours.

the sauce is melted down diary-free chocolate chips.  some walnuts would actually set this off but i didn't have any.  if you do, throw'em  in!

what does your 'me' time consist of?

pedicures and bubble baths keep me sane.

le

40 weeks preggo + Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash

 glory to God! we made it! 40 weeks in the bag.

wednesday i had (what i hope to be) my very last routine check up with my OB before meeting Odego.

did some reading to pass the time in the waiting area and my eyes were immediately drawn to "why it's OK to get an epidural" after picking up this magazine, lol.  this birth plan is the same as my first... to give it my best shot  naturally, and call for the epi if i need it. God has already gone before me and everything is in His hands. everything.

i love that my OB involves Chiso somehow at every visit.  especially when i forget to bring his ipad!  i just love her to pieces and thank God for connecting us.  according to Chi's calculations, my belly is currently measuring at 39.7 cms (the number your belly measures in cms usually corresponds with your current week, fyi).  pretty happy to have progressed to 2 cms dilated without feeling a thing at that.  well, what i HAVE felt has not been painful at all, rather.

so i left my appointment with JUST enough time to hit the gym for one last TKB (turbo kickboxing) class!!! i also just wanted to tell the best kickboxing instructor i know that i'd be seeing her in a few weeks, or whenever i'm cleared to come back.

i started that day with lean turkey sausage, 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, the last of a ripe avocado, all over  a sweet potato hash i could have sworn i had already added  to my blog, sorry guys!! here are the ingredients i sautéed in my no stick skillet with 1 tbsp coconut oil:

• 1 small peeled/cubed sweet potato (microwave for 1 min first to make it easier to chop)
• 1 yelllow oinion, chopped
• 1/4 cup cubed zucchini
• 1/4 cup cubed yellow squash
• 1/2 cup  cubed red bell pepper
• red pepper flakes
• sea salt (i used liquid aminos) & pepper
• fresh chopped cilantro

and i scarfed down those rotisserie chicken breast deli sammiches on Sara Lee whole wheat 45 calories & delightful bread and raw carrots after the TKB class.

   

here's dinner from tonight with the recipe as promised:

Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti Squash

the stuff:

• 1 lb raw, de-veined, shelled shrimp
• 1 roasted small - medium spaghetti squash  ( i throw the whole thing in my oven on 375 for 45 min)
• 1/2 cup whole grape tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1-2 tbsp or more lemon pepper seasoning
• cracked black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 lemon

do this:

1. heat a large wok to med-high heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil.
2. add 2 tbsp garlic and stir constantly so it doesn't burn for about 2 minutes; add shrimp.
3. season shrimp with 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning and black pepper; remove from wok and set aside.
4. add in another tbsp olive oil and the remaining 2 tbsp of garlic; cook for about 1 minute.
5. add bell pepper if wanted at this point and let it cook/soften for 2 minutes. if no bell pepper, just add cooked spaghetti squash into wok along with another tbsp or two of lemon pepper seasoning and black pepper. mix well.
6. halve the grape tomatoes then add them to your wok along with the cooked shrimp and cilantro; mix very well.
7. squeeze the fresh lemon over the top of everything and serve!

nutritional stats coming right up, asap. as for now, the baby waiting game continues!  have a safe, fun, friday night :)

le

homemade oatmeal cream pies + pre-workout snacks

  this recipe has been on my IG  forever and it's time for it to hit the fit recipes section too here on tha blog. so here ya go:

homemade oatmeal cream pies

the stuff:

cookies:

1 1/4 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 2 tbsp coconut oil 1/2 cup coconut crystals 1/4 cup Stevia for Baking (NOT the packets!) 1/2 tsp baking soda

filling: 4 tbsp light cream cheese (room temperature) 4 tbsp sugar-free cool whip (optional) 2 heaping tbsp greek yogurt 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 packet stevia

do this:

combine wet with wet and dry with dry; mix well. in a large mixing bowl, combine the two mixtures until incorporated. for filling- whip everything together until smooth and chill in a large mixing bowl.  make sure the cookies have cooled completely before you make the sammiches!  bake 16 cookies for 10-12 min on 350 deg.

thank you guys for the IG love concerning these pies!!! @mrs_meka_l tagged me just last night after she whipped up a batch, yum. thanks hun! love the comparison pic ;)

nutritional stats per cookie sammich: 184 calores, 6 g fat, 27 g carbs, 147mg sd, 3g fiber, 8g sugar, 4g protein!

makes 8 (one top cookie, one bottom + 2 heaping tbsp of filling)

super boring lunch today, but this is why i love having prepped food ready to go.  convenience!  i threw this all in my tupperware and hit the streets for a few hours running errands.

 the tilapia was sautéed in about 2 tbsp of Bragg Liquid Aminos + about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water, and sprinkled with Sicilian Mc Cormick Perfect Pinch seasoning on top.    you can use low sodium chicken broth too if ya got it.  i paired it with cilantro-lime brown rice, some avocado and a couple of almonds for good fat.

this is one of my absolute fave pre and/or post workout snacks right here..

it's all over my IG feed, i know.  toasted 100% whole grain whole wheat bread slathered with honey roasted peanut butter and fruit (usually strawberries or bananas).

my goodness that looks so dreamy, right!?!?!?! gaaaaaah.   why do i consume this before (and sometimes after) a workout?

this snack is a winner because it gives a healthy balance of protein (from the peanut butter) and carbs (from the fruit and bread).  this combo ensures your energy levels stay high throughout your workout.  for post-workout, similar deal.  the protein and carbs in this snack helps to replenish and repair glycogen levels after breaking down your muscles from your hardcore workout.  other pre-workout suggestions:

• pear and pistachios
• coffee (especially for my early risers)
• low-fat chocolate milk
• apple, hardboiled egg, string cheese
• raw coconut water
• low-fat cheese on toast
• protein shake with banana

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Sonny and i did a fitness photo shoot last week for Next Generation Athletics and we scored some of their awesome fitness gear in return!  what a perk i appreciate sincerely.  i wore some of the clothes to class this morning and got great feedback from my members on it.  kudos to NXG for the their amazingly comfortable and stylish fitness apparel.

Q: what is your favorite pre/post workout snack or meal?  share away so we can all try some of them!

le