Hope you’re having a good weekend! We’re heading to Vancouver in the morning for a little day-tripping. What are you doing this weekend?
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Speak to you soon!
x
January Vibes | Weekend Inspo
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Monthly Archives: January 2015
Smoothie Move | Fitness Friday
Before I started working out, getting a smoothie was a great way to relieve myself of calorie guilt after a particularly shitty day/week of eating.
“Green smoothie? I’ll take it. Jesus, I’m a health food nut!”
Now? Smoothies are a quick and easy way for me to get all my nutrients that help me reap the benefits of the lifting I’ve been doing in the gym, as well as the vitamins that keep me healthy. I’m about 90% convinced that the reason I haven’t gotten a cold this winter is because of how many greens I’ve been consuming (and there’s hardly been a salad in sight).
Smoothies that I drink after working out are high in protein and full of fruits, vegetables and fiber. I’m still learning about the textures and flavors I like and have yet to dive into smoothie-aficionado additions, like wheatgrass and aminos (or something), but I’m pretty excited about the discoveries I’ve made so far. Check it:
Spinach + Kiwi + Chia seed smoothie (from Joy the Baker)
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makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies
For the Smoothie:
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk, cold
- 1 1/2 cups packed baby spinach leaves
- 1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
- 1 ripe kiwi, peeled, cut into chunks
Awesome Extras:
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons wheat grass powder
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon maca powder
In a blender, combine almond milk, spinach leaves, frozen banana chunks, and kiwi chunks. Add some of the awesome extras if you’re so inclined. Blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Almond Butter + Banana Smoothie (+Protein)
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makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies
- 1 1/2 cups coconut+almond milk, cold
- 1 1/2 cups packed spinach and kale leaves
- 1 banana, cut into chunks
- 1 scoop chocolate whey powder
- 2 table spoons almond butter
- Cinnamon to taste, I usually do about a teaspoon (+ great for metabolism)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flax meal/seeds
- 4 ice cubs (this is personal preference…room temp smoothies don’t cut it for me)
Combine all ingredients in blender and let ‘er rip! This smoothie is super high in protein and healthy fats so I find its a really hearty/healthy way to follow up intense workouts.
ABJ Smoothie (+Protein)
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makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies
- 1 1/2 cups coconut+almond milk, cold
- 1 1/2 cups packed spinach and kale leaves
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 scoop vanilla whey powder
- 2 table spoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flax meal/seeds
Again, put everything in the blender and goooooooo. This smoothie is a spin on PBJ sandwiches (obvs). I was feeling really clever when I got this tart treat all worked out.
Freeze | Monday Playlist
There are few things worse than a cold toilet seat first thing in the morning. I mean it was hard enough for me to get up, let alone for me to sit on an unrelenting throne of ice for an excruciatingly long few seconds. Cold weather brings about a lot of trials and tribulations, but personally that takes the cake for me.
I hope if you’re in a place that is hellishly cold this week (as most of the U.S. seems to be at the moment) that you’re doing your best to stay warm, stay well and (for the love of GOd) stay inside. When you do have to go out, remember: layering is caring.
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It’s playlist day and I’m pretty excited about this week’s mix. There was one song that was an indisputable choice: Elastic Heart by Sia. Although it’s ultra-contemporary music video been plastered all over the pages of the internet, some of you may not have seen it yet. If you’re as intrigued as I was, then a few google searches about what Sia says the song are about will serve you well.*
*Also if you were a shameless watcher of Dance Moms like I was get ready because the infamous Maddie is alongside Shia Labeouf in the video and she absolutely slaaaaaays.
I’m still so mesmerized by the whole thing. I’ll probably watch it again riiight…now. Enjoy!
Speak to you soon!
x
Death by Ab Day | Fitness Friday
Today was a day defined by self-loathing, pain and hatred. It was a day when I thought “it really can’t get worse than this.” A day when I truly wondered if the hurt I was feeling was worth it or if I had made a grave mistake. Today…was ab day.
Ab day some of you may be thinking. What’s so terrible about a few rousing rounds of crunches?
Let me set the scene:
Prior to a couple of months ago, the core workouts that I was frequently taking part in were the ones that I like to categorize into a group titled “everyday abdominals.” One ultra-popular move from this workout regimen was sit-ups–you know, where I’d be snacking on my couch and when I wanted another Dorito I’d use all my will power (and no hands) to sit up in order to get my arm into the depths of the not-so-distant chip bag. I’ve never felt accomplishment so sincere as I did in moments when I’d be retrieving the remnants of flavor dust from the corners of my newly oranged mouth.
Another move? The “I’m too lazy to get off the couch to reach the remote, so I’ll just stretch and contort my body until I can reach it” maneuver. You’ve heard of it? This yoga-like stretch really takes dedication, as the amount of effort it takes to test your limits in order to grab that clicker is most-likely more difficult than swinging your legs off of the couch and retrieving it the old fashioned way. Bonus fitness points if it’s under opposite side of the coffee table. Keep that core tight.
With all that being said, I’m sure you’ve gathered that my six pack was well underway.
Core days with Andrew are a little bit different than core days with me and my low tolerance for pain. This morning we did bicycle crunches, planks, downward dog hybrid crunches (i.e. Satan’s work), and this violent leg lift that essentially feels as if you’re air-skipping into your final moments. I left feeling 10% nauseous and 90% like I didn’t know if I could ever do it again…but I will.
So, maybe it does feel a little bit like you’re being branded with the hot stamp of a six-pack on your midsection; maybe the next day it feels like you’ve been repeatedly punched in the stomach and now laughing feels like a torture device; But maybe just maybe your results are closer than you think. Do those side planks and push through those godforsaken flutter kicks. If you keep at it, it’s gonna pay off in the end.*
*aaaaaaand If it doesn’t then I hear youtube has some pretty sick DIYs on faking abs with bronzer. You’re welcome.
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I’m two weeks deep in personal training and there’s no looking back. Muscles I never knew I had are starting to gain tone and, dare I say, I feel stronger than I ever have (both physically and mentally).
So excited to keep you posted on how this is going.
Speak to you soon!
x
2015 | Monday Playlist
If I didn’t know it was 2015 before this morning, I do know now that I have experienced the new wave of people at the gym at 5AM. Trying to get an eliptical machine this morning was the closest I’ve ever come to fighting for my life.
Happy first Monday of 2015! May this playlist help get you through your first day back into routine and normalcy.
Speak to you soon!
x
Chloe Resort 2015 | Sunday Inspo
] 
Really into these colors and silhouettes from the 2015 Chloe Resort collection. But, let’s be honest, I’m really into anything that Chloe’ puts down a runway.
Clare Waight Keller (Chloe’s designer) was inspired by a building called Villa Savoye, designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier. I’m a huge advocate of juxtaposing hard and soft in fashion, so collections inspired by architecture normally catch my attention for doing just that.
How can I put this in my closet without spending all my Christmas Visa giftcards on one shoe? Pieces with Lace-up details, robe-like silhouettes and structural, graphic garments. I could see myself picking up any of those things and weirdly layering them together in the (not nearly close enough) spring months while I pretend to be perched on a ledge in the window laden Villa Savoye myself.
To learn more about that click here.
Speak to you soon!
x
2015 | Fit Friday
Monday morning–4:45A.M. The twinkle-toned iPhone alarm I had chosen to “calmly wake myself up” seemed unbearably shrill, especially when I remembered why it was going off: my first 5:30A.M. appointment with my personal trainer. After trying to feign a hamstring injury brought on by an impending Charlie horse… I reluctantly rolled off of my half deflated air mattress and into my fleece lined running tights.
But, wow…am I glad I did.
Several weeks ago I decided that just going to the gym a few times a week really wasn’t getting me the results I was hoping for. (I wanted to see “Beyonce” but instead I was getting “Young mom who’s stopped drinking diet coke.”) After talking with several of my friends, who I consider to be professional gym rats, it was clear that a personal training program would be my best bet.
I was nervous. “Personal trainer?” I thought, “He’ll kill me. I’ll die. I’ll lay right out on the weight floor after leg day and take my last living breath.” Within the next few days I grew some balls and then nervously approached my soon-to-be torturer/trainer at the front desk. After about 20 minutes of discussion and signing papers it was official: for 3 times a week for the next three months I’d be seeing Andrew for lifting days and going an additional 2 more visits for cardio sessions. I walked out of the gym and promptly grabbed a snack to ease my stresses.
Fast forward to now–8A.M. on Friday, January 2, 2015. Sitting at my kitchen table recovering from this morning’s shoulder + core + cardio session, sipping on an almond butter + berry protein shake concoction (that I call The PBJ) and feeling 100% sure that I have made one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
After 1 week of personal training I feel awesome; I’m sleeping better, I feel stronger (even if just a little), I’m driven to eat well, I’m drinking so much water, I’m happier, My brain is clearer and I have so many more opportunities to brag to my co-workers about how much I lifted at my early morning PT sesh. Andrew has really encouraged me to not just seek fitness, but also nutrition (full wellness). I’ve been dipping my fork into the key Paleo diet principles but with a few tweaks of my own.
With the arrival of a new year, I’ve also adapted a new mindset: investing in myself is just as important as investing in other things.
My fitness goals (not resolutions because those are for the weak) for 2015:
- Know what it means to actually feel healthy and reap the benefits of that lifestyle.
- Learn from my trainer how/why/what I need to do to work my muscles correctly and continue to do that even after training is over.
- Feel strong, capable and empowered.
- Become professional at feigning minor injuries so my break between ab sets can be longer.
- Blog about fitness/lifestyle changes so other people can learn something/feel my pain.
- Really try to contain biscuits to once a week (do the vegan ones count? Leaning towards no RN).
- Oh right…and those Beyonce/Nicki/Azalea booty curves.*
*Andrew asked me what my fitness goals were and maybe that was my answer, but who really knows?
Speak to you guys soon! Happy new year!
x
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