Power Food

Last night for snacking I had honey wheats and cinnamon raisins swirl PB.... why is this the most additive snack ever? Snack redundancy aside (well kind of) I wanted to hit on my new favorite pre-workout snack which is pita with PB2. I have two kinds of pita on hand now and the one that I've been having pre-workout is this one

Joseph's high protein, whole wheat pita with flax and oat bran. It has a great texture and is a good size! And for whatever reason is completely delicious with PB2 so much that I wake up craving this as a snack! I usually just sleepily wolf down my pre-workout snack and savor my breakfast but this snack rocks!

It also has been working amazingly well for my workouts. I have more energy and feel fuller than with others I've tried. I like using the PB2 because while I have no opposition to real PB (obviously) I like that it's lighter for right before a workout. I also am coming to believe that it's the ingredients in this pita that make me feel so great! Oat bran and flax do have great nutritional benefits in health fats and whole grains for a mix that gives you great sustained energy.

Basically I had a power of foods realization last night and proceeded to order a case of these pitas online because they were a "special purchase" and Wal-Mart and I don't know where else I would find them =P.

For my workout this morning I did my cardio/strength circuit with some different moves here and there. I then wanted overnight oats for breakfast but didn't make them last night... that will not stop me!

In this mix

Almost empty yogurt container (maybe 1/3 cup?)

1/3 cup oats

1/2 cup skim milk

Mixed before I hopped in the shower! 30 minute overnight oats? Yes indeed!

Topped with a handful of oat squares, banana, flax, cinnamon and a little drizzle of honey

A little bit soupier than regular overnight oats but just as delicious!

Sugar cookie sleigh ride and green

It's also Friday which mean Fearless Fridays!

This week I was afraid that I would not be able to prepare in time for my bio exam but I actually feel really good going into it! I took my studying slowly but surely and that worked out great! I am also afraid that I will not be able to run tomorrow but we'll see how that goes in the morning...

Standing between me and the weekend...

Class, work, bio exam

let's get it done!

Peace!

Caitlin

How have you experienced the power of food?

What's you fearless Friday for the week?

Braindead

Last night for v-day dessert I tried my hand at my first banana soft serve ! It was AMAZING just as everyone claims! I only used one banana and used my immersion blender so it took awhile but it was so worth it. I topped it with Barney butter and some crumbled dark chocolate for the holiday! I was HANGRY PANTS last night however so I also went back for some pretzels and cinnamon raisin swirl PB.

Oh My Yum

I haven't had a ton of urgent school work lately so I've just been working on my paper and getting ahead in other classes. This happens to me sometimes and I start to actually feel kind of brain dead so I'm going to try to start making some brain-good use of my free time by watching documentaries instead of Office re-runs, reading more and maybe coming up with some good posts! I started this morning with banana and cottage cheese and by getting through two chapters of Eat Here and around 70 minutes on the stationary bike. It's for school but still very interesting so I'm reading it early for pleasure, highly recommended for all foodies!

Breakfast got a little crazy because at first nothing sounded good and then everything sounded good!

Oatbran cooked with milk, water, truvia, vanilla protein powder and orange spice tea bag

Topped with pear, trail mix, strawberry fruit spread and sunflower butter drizzle had with blueberry black tea.

And I'm off! Happy Tuesday everyone!

Peace!
Caitlin

How do you stimulate your brain?

They were right

A lot of snow was predicted.... they were right.

I was planning this morning I writing a review of my new running shoes but sadly I have not yet run. I got ready for the gym, had a snack and was on my way. My usual 2 minute walk to the gym was transformed into a 10 minute walk by trying to make my way through the drifts only to discover no lights and no staff.

Before I left I had 1/2 and apple from dessert last night and some greek yogurt

Even though my school website says the facilities are open it is not unreasonable to think that simply no coaches could make it in.

I would be more annoyed but already my late morning class has been cancelled so I'm going to check back later.

These boots go almost up to my knees

I trekked back to my room for a real breakfast and some homework

How do you make yourself feel better when the weather's gross and the gym is closed? Chocolate banana peanut butter oats of course!

Oatbran, chocolate whey protein, 2 truvia packets, banana, chobani, and peanut butter bloobs, cinnamon

Black Raspberry black tea

I've decided to call this a warm yogurt bowl! I had a yogurt cup that expired today so I had part with my snack and part with my warm oatbran instead of cooking them with milk! YUM! 

Hope everyone's weather isn't too insane! Stay safe and warm!

Peace!
Caitlin

Wisconsin winters and Garmin Greatness

 Good morning to you! I accomplished my task this morning... eight miles outside in the Wisconsin winter! So here's a true life confession... I love to run but I am a treadmill junkie, sad but true. However for Christmas I joined the big girl running club and my mom who is also a runner got a a Garmin Forerunner 205. This morning was my first time getting to break it in but I'll save you the redundancy and just say the I have had the same reaction as everyone else who gets this toy and now I am in love <3.

I did 8 miles in 1:21:10

That's a good pace for me, I am very satisfied! Around mile 6.5 I had the little voice pop into my head that was saying "can't, weak, can't, weak" but also right at that moment one of my favorite running songs, "Remember the Name" came on my iPod and I literally said out loud "Shut up I AM going to finish this run, YES I AM" I totally worked because from there I just plowed through to the end!

Before I left I had a little bowl of dry quaker oat square cereal and raisins. Even though this was a good snack I brought gatorade and dried pineapple chunks with me on my run because I always believe it is way better to be prepared than to hit a wall and not be able to finish but I didn't end up needing them.

When I got back I walked up and down the hall of my dorm for a little for a cool down (because it was too cold outside, my hand were unhappy even in gloves!) And then I remembered that I had an almost empty barney butter jar... YES!!! Perfect post-run treat!

Parfait with 6oz greek yogurt mixed with coconut extract, ginger and truvia,  around 1/2 cup dry oatbran a banana and of course the amazing almond butter! (Sorry I can't figure out how to rotate the picture)

It may look uggo but it was amazing! Especially when I finally got to the bottom! 

With key lime tea and a big 'ole class of re-hydration!


Alrighty, I must actually head BACK outside to the grocery store (boo) but I am in need of veggies and I'll be thankful for the circulation tomorrow I am sure! Hope your weekends are of to rizockin starts!

Peace!
Caitlin