Runner Recipes (I can actually make)

Now that the cookies are eaten, the candy is gone, and the leftovers are no longer left, I am focusing on getting a few weeks of solid nutrition before the WDW Marathon Weekend. If you've been following along on my training journey, you know it's been less than ideal, but that doesn't mean I'm totally throwing it all to the wind for race day. I'm focused on fueling my body with healthy foods and finishing up my training with some strong runs.

Cigna, the WDW Marathon Weekend sponsor, has some great recipes for easy, nutritious, on the go breakfasts. Of course, you don't have to only have these in the morning, but for my busy mornings, these both work perfectly! Peanut butter, yes please! Pumpkin, you bet! And yes, even I, the most unskilled cook ever, can make these.

Overnight Oats

I used PB2 and almond milk in this recipe. I find the powder is much easier to use when mixing and I'm not a huge fan of dairy (or should I say, my belly isn't a huge fan).

Pumpkin Cranberry Granola Bites

These were perfect for my early mornings! I don't like to eat a full breakfast before teaching at 5 a.m., so these are simple and work great to have a little something in my stomach. Gotta love the pumpkin love!

Thanks Cigna for always looking out for the runners!

Two New Smoothies To Try!

During the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend, I was invited to attend a blogger meetup hosted by Cigna at Napa Rose. The theme was healthy, nutritious meals, and my favorite station (probably because I could really do it) was the smoothies.  The chefs at Disney's Banquet Department came up with 2 recipes for us to try. They were both delicious, and they will definitely be making an appearance in my home! Let me know what you think!

Coffee Crunchy Pre-Workout Smoothie (one serving):
1 cup ice
1/2 cup coffee
2 tsp agave nectar
1/2 cup almond milk (they used soy, but I stay away from soy milk)
3 tbsp almonds
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1.5 bananas (frozen)
Blend until smooth!

Post-Workout Smoothie (one serving):
1 cup ice
2 tsp agave nectar
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tbsp ground flax
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup cactus pear
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup almond or coconut milk
Blend until smooth!

See,,,my type of cooking!  If you want to know about the rest of the meetup, check out my full post HERE.

Review of the 3-Day Refresh

This past Monday, after a very full January of racing and traveling, I finally got started on the 3-Day Refresh.  I have heard great things about this program, and heck, it was only 3 days so why not use it to kick of my February resolution of working on portion control?!?!?!  Admittedly, I should have probably prepared a bit better, but a quick morning and evening grocery store trip and I was able to stick to it.

Refresh & Portion Fix Kits

In the kit, you get the guide and 3 drinks per day (4 if you don't use your regular Shakeology).  This is the basic gist of the day: shake & fruit, fiber sweep, shake-veggie-fruit-fat lunch, veggie-fat snack, and shake with a meal for dinner.  I was really surprised at how much I actually ate!  Let's be honest, you hear "refresh", you think "cleanse" and you translate that to "starving".  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't walking around stuffed like Thanksgiving or anything, but I was definitely not starving!  There's no dairy, meat, or processed anything over the 3 days.

Refresh Dinner

So let's get on with the results.  First, I'm sharing these pics because I saw great results, so no shaming me...deal?  In 3 days, I lost 5 pounds and feel amazing!  BUT--that's actually not where it stops.  Believe it or not, I am now on 6 days without touching a Diet Coke.  If there is anything that is my #1 weakness it's my Diet Coke.  I'd actually drink up to 6 cans a day!  I know it's terrible for me, but it's just my thing!  I don't want to say that I'm giving it up completely, however I'm super proud of myself for not going right back to my 6-can-a-day habit.  I am definitely going to limit my consumption, and this was the perfect kick-off.

I'm continuing on, trying to work on portion control and eating more vegetables and fruits (definitely need more veggies).  It was the perfect way to get started on my February resolution!  Let's see how the rest of the month goes!

Disclaimer: I am an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. I help people stick to programs (like this one) and coach them to get their best results.  I do this because it's a way to reach and help more people on their health and fitness journeys.  However, I also do this because I LOVE the products and use them myself (and get great results).  All opinions are my own from my experiment of one!  I'd love to help you too, so reach out if this is something you need in your life!

My Plan to Get Back on Track for 2015

Happy New Year Everyone!  2014 was so crazy I barely have had time to get a list of resolutions together.  Luckily, tomorrow's "Friday Five" is about goals, so I'll save that post until tomorrow.

Today, though, I'm planning how I'm getting back on track after a bit too much of indulging over the holidays.  Of course, it won't be a straight path, since I have 3 race weekends in January that include travel (it sounded so good when I planned the races). 

I have a ton of friends who have had great success with the 21-Day Fix program.  Since becoming a Beachbody coach, I've been wanting to try this program, but knew I wouldn't do the workouts.  Between teaching classes, doing PiYo at home, and running I don't know when I'd fit in another home workout.  Then, as if it was made just for me, Beachbody came out with Portion Fix, which is just the nutrition part of the 21-Day Fix.  Perfect!  My kit arrives Wednesday, along with the 3-Day Refresh.  I'm super excited to get started.  Nutrition has always been my struggle, and I know that losing some pounds will definitely help my knees and my running.  I want to get back to running faster, and this is definitely a key component.

In addition, to keep me motivated, I've organized and joined another Diet Bet.  It's worked for me before, and I get to help others while doing it.  It's seriously a win, win (and lose).  Love it!  (By the way, if you want to join, here's the link: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/56749 I'd love to have blogging friends join me--invite your friends too!).

The hardest part, for sure, is going to be NOT going crazy during my two Disney trips.  For the Goofy Challenge, I'm only there for 3 days, but I'm sure I'll have a treat or two.  The following weekend I'll be traveling to Disneyland with my hubby and friends for Star Wars.  This trip will be harder!

I'm not setting a strict number goal, because I know that it's not just about weight, but I know I have at least 20 pounds I can lose.  I'm going to focus more on eating whole, clean foods, cutting out the quick and easy solutions like the occasional fast food or the more frequent frozen lunches.  Who knows...maybe I'll learn to cook in 2015! :)

Happy 2015!  I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me...and for you!