Monday motivation

Vegan Meatballs

I haven't had meatballs in a LONG time. A few years ago I tried the Morningstar brand meatballs but I didn't really like the flavor or texture of them. While my step mom was here visiting, we made a bunch from scratch to freeze. Actually-she made them while I napped with baby C. 

I can't find the source of these but I'll update this as soon as I do. 

I just made these when we had spaghetti the other night and they are SO good!!!

Our dog Georgia is not allowed on our bed but the other day this is how I found her. Apparently feeling a little left out????

Outdoor total body Strength workout

Top left: Single arm row

Bottom left: Lunges with rotation 

Top right: Plank with alternating leg lift

Bottom right: Kettlebell swings

A great, quick total body workout while baby napped! :)

As of a week ago I am now 5lbs under my pre-baby weight and also under where I was for my wedding! I reached pre-pregnancy weight 2 weeks after having C which I owe a lot to making sure I didn't gain lots of weight during my pregnancy and staying fit through your those 40 weeks. I have been very lucky to be able to stay so active and also have been very dedicated. I have a new person to be a role model for!! 

Although I get cardio workouts in daily, 

I don't get in nearly as much strength training as I'd like, but that will come. I'm staying focused on being the best mama I can be and when I get extra workouts in that's just a bonus!! 

Monday Motivation

Dairy Free Lactation Cookies

My wonderful step mom came to visit this past week to help out and meet my new daughter.  We had a wonderful visit and really enjoyed our time together.  One of the things I have been wanting to make are Lactation Cookies. Since I have been diary free, we found a recipe to try to that we could easily adapt to this need.  My Step Mom whipped these up for me and they are AWESOME! See our recipe below!!

Dairy Free Lactation Cookies

yield: makes about 20 to 22 cookies, depending on your scoop total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

5 tablespoons wheat germ

3 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons vegan butter

4 tablespoons unrefined organic coconut oil

1 1/4 cups organic white sugar

1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

Preheat the oven the 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, yeast, flaxseed, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the butter and coconut oil on medium speed until creamy. Add in the sugar and beat on medium to high speed until fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add in the egg and egg yolk, beating until combined, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until combined again.

Gradually add in the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined and mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips with a spatula until they are evenly dispersed.  Scoop the dough into 1-inch rounds (I use an ice cream scoop so they are fairly uniform in size) and place on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are just golden. Let cool completely before storing in a sealed container.

Note: To freeze the dough- scoop the rounds on a baking sheet, place the sheet in the freezer for 2 hours, then place the dough rounds in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer. Bake at the same temp - they may or may not need an extra minute or 2 - your preference!
My step mother went ahead and baked all of the cookies and froze them in individual bags of four cookies each so I can thaw them as needed.


This recipe's inspiration from HOW SWEET IT IS

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/02/lactation-cookies/

Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation

Workouts this week

We had a busy weekend here!  I volunteered at a local triathlon this weekend which was great to get out and about as well as learn more about how Triathlons are run.  I'd love to do a sprint triathlon soon and would really love to do a relay with friends!  

Saturday I was fortunate that baby girl slept in the jogging stroller and allowed me to go for a run!  It was awesome to get back out there again. I didnt use a GPS but mapped it afterwards. I thought I had only done like 3 but turns out it was over 5!

Monday I walked with friends on my favorite trail.  It was so beautiful out there and so nice to spend time with friends! You really need that as a new mom, it can get lonely!!  We walked 4.25 miles and it was such nice weather!!

 

This morning I tried the jogging stroller again and it was successful again! 4 miles in the humidity but it was great! 

I didnt realize that many triathlons have relays so you divide up the legs with friends.  I would LOVE to do that and am hoping to do that or one on my own in the next year.

This weeks challenge for my clients and readers: 

Go for a ten minute walk during lunch one day this week.  Write down how you felt afterwards! 

 

Tuesday Tip!

In addition to a workout buddy helping you stick with an exercise program and increase motivation (and fun!), using social media outlets can help you stay the course.  Using hashtags, signing up for online challenges or being part of a virtual community can help.  By recording your workouts and logging your miles you are more likely to continue your routine.  Try the online communities that come with many fitness trackers such as the FitBit, the Garmin Vivofit (which I have and love!), or you can try a site such as the Nike Running App, Map My Run, ActiveX, etc to join challenges and record progress.

Have fun!!

Monday Motivation