Peanut Butter Banana Bread!

Banana Bread has been one of my favorite things to make for as long as I can remember.  Today my mom looked at 2 perfectly overripe bananas and gave a little nudge to make some banana bread.  It didn't take much especially since I already had a recipe on hand I wanted to try.  I modified a few things but the end result was definitely something delicious that I don't feel guilty about.  It was a big hit and I know next time I'll make it into muffins :)

For my batter I used:
- 1 1/4 cups of almond flour
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/3 cup of peanut butter (you could also use almond butter)
- 2 overripe bananas
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup of light brown sugar
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup of almond milk (I use the Silk Unsweetened Regular that has 30 calories a serving)

I mixed all of the ingredients into my KitchenAid (I hadn't used it in so long so it had a little dust on it) and then into a lightly sprayed 8x8 in pan.  I popped it into the oven for 33 minutes at 375 degrees.

My little brother has already gone back for thirds and I doubt it'll last with any leftovers to get them through the drive home tomorrow ;)

Here's to a great week coming up with lots of goals to accomplish! Starting Thursday I'm also trying out Beachbody's new product- the 3 day Refresh.

Emily

P90x3- Check!

Nothing is quite as satisfying as finishing a beach body program.  Seeing big checks next to each workout each and every day helps remind me of how far I've come since I started.  When I first finished P90X I never took an after picture because I wasn't satisfied and knew I wasn't done.  It was after that program I felt my drive to be the best version of me come through the cracks.  It became a lifestyle and honestly while there's a "goal/ideal" weight I hope to get to one day, the journey is such a rewarding part of the process.  Before Insanity I definitely took my picture.  The results were shocking and exhilarating! While taking a "selfie" isn't necessarily something I enjoy doing, being able to really see the difference as the months pass help me to know that this process is working, even if it's slower than I'd like at times.

Towards the end of this journey I went through a bit of a rough patch.  I began not sleeping which meant even when I was eating correctly it didn't matter.  True health really does involve the whole body; mind and sleep included! I'm back on track now and sleep and I couldn't be closer.  Each of these pictures I take help me remember to take the baby steps everyday to one day reach my goal.

Finishing x3 has given me such a sense of accomplishment.  I really feel stronger in my arms (some muscles even popped out that I never thought I had!) as well as my core and legs.   Another one of my selfish goals is to have my thighs match my calves.  Being a dancer for 11.5 years gave me rocking calves but somewhere along the lines my thighs got lost.  It's not about them looking like toothpicks, but one day I want them to look as strong and impressive as my calves.  Accepting my body and having the patience to trust the process is wisdom I gained after looking at my picture.  While the scale didn't move as much as I would like, I know I felt and feel the changes everyday.  I love the good quality food I'm putting into my body and I love how I feel when I feed myself with those things.  Of course as per my tradition, I did finish this program with a fancy steak and a double chocolate chip cookie from whole foods- but I already accepted I'm human right?

I really love seeing all of those checks knowing each day was a day where I pushed through! Bring honest about whether I followed the diet was tough at times but I know I only got better over time.

I start PiYo on Monday and I am so excited to see the challenges of a new program!  

I also have had a few of those clarifying runs over the past week that I'll have to share more on later.

Here's to bringing it and showing your strength!

Emily

Wait did I just read Eggplant fries!?

After monkeying around on Pinterest for new recipes (obviously being super productive this weekend) I found a recipe for eggplant fries.  I knew that was a food I needed to start eating more of so I decided to give it a try.  Yesterday after an incredible trip to Trader Joes (grocery shopping honestly could not make me happier than it does) I knew tonight was the night to try making eggplant fries.  It was a success! I washed then sliced the eggplant into fry like sizes and seasoned with a tad of olive oil (I realized after that coconut oil would have tasted better so next time!) and Tony's and garlic powder and popped them in at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.  I paired them with homemade hamburgers and sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers.

Tonight I also signed up for my first half marathon! I cannot wait to begin training and conquer this new challenge.  I know it's something different and exciting that will give me the extra push I need to motivate myself.  

These next two weeks are the last of P90x3 and I feel like I've finally got my eating balanced and I can't wait to see what else is in store :)

Here's to new challenges and exciting times to come!

Emily

They never said it would be easy

This past Saturday I went hiking with some of my friends on the Rainbow Falls Trail in the Smokies. On the way back from the 5.7 mile roundtrip hike, I somehow managed to twist my ankle.  Now, that's something I've done a million times before but this time was different.  I'm a somewhat clumsy person by nature and as a former dancer I had landed funny on my ankle many times before.  This time I landed on it and immediate paranoia set in.  I have some pretty significant goals that I'm trying to accomplish by the end of P90x3 and I thought oh my goodness what if I completely derailed the entire program and everything I've been working for.  I bought a brace simply as a precaution to warn me not to overdo it.   Wearing it while I over simplify and modify this weeks routines has been quite a challenge.  I miss the jumping around and feeling my heart beat out of my chest rush that usually comes after some of the cardio based workouts.  I'm not a fan of missing out on my runs and spin classes but I know my ankle needs to heal and taking it easy has been extremely difficult.  Slowing down has never been my strong suit.  I've always had more energy than anyone knows what to do with.

Some of my friends have been giving me a hard time the past few days.  They tell me to not move it at all and stay stationary.  I know they have my best intentions in mind but with my personality telling me to slow down is a way of telling me not to be who I am.  I know my limits and when I'm over doing it.  I know that taking a complete break from everything and not trying at all would in turn make me feel less like myself than I already do.  I know my ankle will completely heal and this is a temporary bout of paranoia where I'm overly cautious that this injury is worse than it really is.  While I am sticking to my eating plan and doing modified workouts, I am curious to see what the results will be.  I know as long as I remain consistent I will reach my goals no matter how long it takes.

Here's to staying strong even when you want to give up!

Here's to anyone reading this who needs a little extra push to get through your week.

Have a rocking rest of your week!

Emily

Step by step

Today was my first true "day off" from school since I cannot remember.  I kicked it off with some Triometrics (talk about hurt so good!) and then spent time at the pool and even treated myself to a pedicure.  It was one of those things that I knew my body needed to do.  After my qualifying exams in August I'm pretty sure my body will want a massage ;).  But seriously, listening to my body is one of the biggest things I've learned throughout this journey.  Taking care of your health is more than just exercising.  It's slowing down and feeding yourself with the proper nutrients and essentials to help give you energy!  It's also knowing when to power through a few aches and pains and when to dig a little deeper to help you get the results you want.  It's about remaining consistent and pushing through.  Often I've reached the point where I feel like things are happening and I know I'm on the brink of something big.  At that point I think I can start slacking and giving into temptations but the answer is no! I know I'll feel better if I resist those cravings because my goals last longer than any craving.  

Now for the turkey burger recipe! Talk about delicious and filling! I mixed 1 container of Laura's extra lean ground turkey with some worchester sauce, diced onions, spinach, tony's, and garlic powder and divided it into 4 patties.  I cooked each one of my miniature George Forman Grill for about 7 minutes and I could not be happier with how they turned out!  Tonight easily became one of my favorite meals to prepare.  Paired with leftover broccoli and sweet potatoes made for something so simple and filling and not to mentioned delicious! #EatCleanTrainDirty

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Keep rocking it!

Emily

Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands.

Happy people & endorphins.  Two things I absolutely cannot get enough of! Elle Woods makes an excellent point that has stuck with many people.  Anytime I feel stressed or upset about something I know that my daily sweat session will make it all seem better.  I feel as if every drop of sweat represents my troubles literally melting away.  Seriously.  I know it's corny and cheesy but the world looks like an even more beautiful place after I wipe off some of that hard earned sweat.  And for anyone who knows me, it's pretty hard to make the world an even more beautiful place because I'm already pretty inspired and in awe by even the smallest thing.  Over the past week I feel like I have really come to relax and take in more of the beauty in my surroundings.  It's amazing what a little quiet time can do.

Another thing that makes me happy is obviously food.  Good food at that.  Especially food where I know it'll give me the kind of energy I crave to tackle that next workout or emotionally push myself through a hard situation.  This week I actually had time to make a full grocery list (which I promptly forgot on my desk before going to the store) and do a little more meal prep ideas than normal.  I made my own version of a turkey burger and it was so easy and simple that I am never going back to paying for processed turkey burgers.  I know many people say but that takes so much time but honestly the part that took the longest was limited by the size of my George Foreman Grill.  I'll post pictures after I take a few (they taste even BETTER the next day) along with the recipe I modified in case you'd like to give it a try.

Now for a confession.  I feel like I've alluded to this before but I am a complete diva when it comes to running. I absolutely despise the treadmill.  I cannot stand to run if it's over 78 degrees and I often talk myself out of it.  Yesterday I went walking on a shaded trail with a friend and it was 94 degrees.  Literally.  The entire time.  I had done MMX from P90x3 before and when we started the walk we got so busy talking we forgot we were supposed to run first.  We had power walked the first 3 miles and decided to run/jog the last mile back.  Lesson learned: always run first.  This is something I know I struggle with but I will get better! I almost say give me weights or a spin class or anything but running but I am determined to turn that weakness into a strength.  I'm signing up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon this month and if knowing I'm going to run through Disney World isn't motivation, I have no idea what is.

How did you get your endorphins today? Did you push yourself to a new limit? Did you try something you've always wanted to do but never actually did?

Here's to endorphins, happy people, and showing your strength everyday!

Emily