Priorities

Weeeeeeeell, I didn’t make it to BodyPump today.

I was trying to do 15 things at once and was getting stressed out about it all so I decided just to forgo the gym today and instead work out at home, where I created my own little “mini BodyPump”! Here’s what I did:

15 minute run around the neighborhood (NO pain. It was absolutely fantastic!)

3 sets of biceps curls, 12 lbs, 10 reps each set

3 sets of triceps kickbacks, 12 lbs, 12 reps each set

3 sets of overhead triceps extensions, 12 lbs, 12 reps each set

3 sets of shoulder press with dumbbells, 12 lbs, 10 reps each set

3 sets “fly” on machine, 30 lbs, 10 reps each set

total workout time = 30 minutes

I could have done some more upper body and abs, but I was getting a little hungry and working out at home is just not as interesting (or as motivating) as being at the gym with other people. It was good for what it was though…..at least I didn’t forgo the workout all together when I missed the class!

Okay…so here’s the real reason I missed BodyPump (I can’t lie to you guys!). The bananas were black and there was baking to be done!!!! 😉 I’ve been meaning to do something with those black bananas for days now but knew if I didn’t do it today I would probably have to throw them away….and we can’t waste food, right?!

I’m kinda sick of banana bread so instead I baked up some interesting “banana bread cookies” instead! They turned out pretty well—big, thick and soft and not too sweet. I used up some of the delicious dates that have been sitting on my shelf in the pantry for quite some time and they really made the cookies. Quite healthy, too!

Banana Bread Cookies

Makes 16 cookies

8 medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped

3 VERY ripe bananas

2 tbsp ground flax

1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

dash of freshly ground nutmeg

1/3 cup soymilk (or milk, almond milk, hempmilk, rice milk…..)

1. Preheat the oven to 350.

2. Combine in a small bowl the ground flax and the soymilk.

3. In a larger bowl, mash the bananas and stir in the melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Add the flax/milk to the banana mixture and stir to combine. Set aside.

4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined (do not overmix!). Fold in the chopped dates.

5. On a greased cookie sheet (or parchment paper lined sheet) drop 1/4 cup spoonfuls of the batter. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden.

Each cookie has 163 calories and 4.8 grams of fat

Since I was then on a roll, I also made baked tofu! I pressed the tofu block for 30 minutes then sliced it into three portions and those three portions into four thin slices. I dipped each slice into a mixture of 2 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 squirt agave, 1 dash onion flakes, 1 dash garlic powder, a dash of salt and 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil. Baked at 375 for about 30 minutes, flipping each slice carefully after 15.

I roasted some parsnips and butternut squash at the same time……..see, once I start cooking I can’t stop! 🙂 And with that, dinner was served!

Some yummy baked tofu, a banana bread cookie and some roasted veggies. My perfect meal 🙂

After some laundry and a good chat with my grandma on the phone (she’s helping me with my book!), I made some dessert. A healthy little sundae!

1/2 cup of Fage topped with a crumbled macaroon and a spoonful of raspberry preserves. Accompanied by a mug of sugar cookie tea with agave. I’m addicted to this stuff!! I really need to stock up before the holiday season is over!

Well guys, I’m off to fold laundry and then read and hit the sack. I finished Skeletons at the Feast finally last night. It took me a long time to read because every night when I go to bed to read I am just SO exhausted that I only end up reading 15 pages and then turning off the light. All in all though, I liked the book. I’m a huge fan of Chris Bohjalian and have read all his previous books. This book did not at all seem like his writing style though! If I wouldn’t have known it was his book I would have never guessed that he wrote it. It was just very different than anything else he has previously written. It read much like a movie and the entire time I was reading I was thinking, “I don’t know if I like this very much” but then when I finished the last chapter last night I decided I did like it after all. The ending was good and the writing, of course, was amazing. It’s definitely a pretty deep and moving book, though, so if you read it make sure you have time to digest it all. Not really a light read. But then again, I don’t really like light reads all that much. Okay that was my book review for the night! I’m off to bed!

See you tomorrow!