And the madness begins

Just a warning, if I do not get on here to post as often for the rest of the month of April, this is why: college final projects and tests.

I am trying to get my butt to the gym in the midst of chaos, but that does mean that it is cutting into my blogging time. My school needs to take priority at this very moment in time.

As I burry myself in books, papers and notecards with endless nights filled with coffee and Beethoven, rest assured that I am still on the track to reaching my goals.

Getting to the gym is the one thing I look forward to in breaking up my days of studying, internships, writing papers and miscellaneous social media pieces (life of a PR student). Cranking out media kits and all sorts of fun projects (that are more than time consuming) have been overtaking the hours in my day.

I have also been noticing little, tiny zits popping up on my pale face due to stress, and maybe a little anxiety, but it is my "senior year." Could I expect anything else?

Nonetheless, I will post as often as possible through the madness. 

Cheese-ball quote of the day, but it's something that I like to be reminded of every now and again - especially while in school.

Change it up

Switching up your workout-routine can make all the difference when trying reach a set fitness goal; therefore, I asked my husband to make me a workout.

I was thinking, "Ah, this will be nice and it will give me a chance to try a few things differently."

However, I forgot to refer to the fact that my husband was making my workouts. It was a great workout, don't get me wrong, but it definitely pushed me beyond my normal workout capacity and for that I am grateful. 

In fact, it pushed me to the "if I walk tomorrow it will be a miracle" point of exhaustion. Needless to say, I'm walking, but I may just look a little bit more like a wounded animal than a functioning human-being. 

Oh yeah, and I have to wear heals to an event today. Should be challenging. 

I'm sure that he won't mind, but here are the workouts.

Workout

5 minute HITT on treadmill (Or on track)

3 rounds
20 squat jumps
20 split leg lunge jumps
>>No rest between

3 sets
Split leg squats   10-15 reps/leg while holding 15-25lbs dumbells
20 air squats between/after each set

400 meter row
12 Alternating push-ups
400 meter row
12 Release push-ups
400 meter row
12 alternating push-ups

50 lunges while holding a weighted plate out in front of you while doing a trunk twist.

1 minute plank hold

20 sec. plank hold on elbows, move up to 20 sec. 3 times without stopping/getting up.

100 Abs
20 V-ups
20 Reverse crunches
20 Flutter kicks
20 Leg raises
Hold feet and legs off of the ground for 20 seconds after.

STRETCH

Yeah... I was sore for 2 days and had to do a "recovery run" for one of the days. Keeping that lactic acid flowing, you know.

Curiosity in action

I am sure that I have mentioned my fondness for Pinterest once before - due to the many recipes that I have found from that addicting site. Here a few of the recipes that I was curious enough to try this week, minus the quinoa breakfast recipe, that one came straight from my brain.

Black Bean Brownies

*Grease 8x8 baking pan w/ coconut oil*

1 15oz. can of black beans

2 bananas

1/4 C. of Flaxseed

1/3 C. of gluten-free instant oats

1 tsp. of vanilla extract

1 tsp. Cinnamon
Bake on 350 for 30 minutes, do the toothpick test to make sure that they are cooked all the way.

Almond Milk Vegan Ice Cream

5 sliced frozen bananas

2-3 Cups of Almond Milk

1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Dash of cinnamon

Blend in food processor and presto!
Side note: Add nuts or fruit (or frozen fruit) for some added flavor.

Apple-Cinnamon-Pecan Quinoa Breakfast 

Dice apples and place them in a 1/2 C. or less of water, honey, & cinnamon; bring to a boil and let simmer
Cook quinoa over the stovetop as directed pouring the access "apple water" into the quinoa, then filling the remaining amount of liquid with water.
When quinoa is finished, add apples & cinnamon as desired, then mix together.

What on earth is Quinoa?!

Click for some facts about this delectable grain

Black Bean Burger

 Avocado & Fresh Pico

2 15oz. can of black beans, drained & dried

1/2 C. gluten-free flour

1 small onion

2 garlic cloves

1 tsp. of coconut oil

Cumin

Chili Pepper

Paprika

Black Pepper

Salt

You may add the spices that you like, just to make it your own.

1.) Dice onions and mince garlic; saute in 1 tsp. of coconut oil.

2.) Smash beans, or place in food processor. Put beans into bowl and stir in onion and garlic mixture, and spices.

3.) Make black-black patties and roll in gluten-free flour; fry on skillet of coconut oil until golden brown, or cooked all of the way.

4.) When finished, top with fresh avocado and pico.

These are recipes that I plan on making again - especially the ice cream!

Enjoy.