hi all! 
better get your reading glasses on
because I’ve got a lot to fill you in on!
I had an awesome birthday weekend with the fam
followed by an awesome birthday DAY!
I got a whole foods gift card
best. gift. ever.
Where I spent most of my afternoon;
yes, I get excited for things like this.
I got some walnuts, grass fed beef, fruit, coconut kefir,
coconut milk, tahini, coconut milk ice cream (OMG),
feta, eggs, & lots of BULK items like
sprouted seed granola (so good!), cocoa nibs, & trail mix!
I also picked up some Grilled Plantain Salad –
I need to replicate this recipe because it was so amazing!
Once I got home, I prepped LOTS of veggies to grill up
(snow peas, brussels, green onion, shallots, cauliflower, & broccoli)
I did these the same way I do my grill roasted Veggies!
& PAPACAKES did his thing once again;
grilling up some Feta & Spinach stuffed grass fed beef burgers.
We both sipped some red wine while we cooked
definitely had to pull out the birthday girl glass for the birthday!
For dessert I had some coconut milk ice cream
topped with all different things -
trail mix, healthy chocolate sauce, & dried bananas!
Basically made my own POWER FRO-YO! 
Perfect birthday #POWERMEAL
The next morning I ran a FIRECRACKER 5k
with some of my favorite ladies!
I fueled up with my Sweet Potato Pie
topped with lots of raisins & seed granola
#eatclean #powerfuel
These girls all did an awesome job!
My best friend Sarah got first in our age group!!
She ran the 5k in 20 minutes and 13 seconds -
She’s sooo #FitFluential
I ran mine in 27 minutes -
which is 3 minutes faster than my last 5k.
FYI: I’m not a big runner; but I am currently switching things up
and going to be running 3-4 days a week!
We cleaned up & then headed to the city for the day!
*We got froggy tats on our biceps to represent
And took some time to admire our city & take some pics!
*As we were eating dinner, it started to POUR;
The wind was so strong that it knocked my water into my lap.
Yes I have a small bladder & yes I drink a lot of water,
but I promise I can control it! 
#notAclassymoment
Other than the #classymoment,
it was such a fun day!
Yesterday I got right back into my lifting
with a back & bicep day!
Lots of super-setting back & bicep exercises back to back.
Rows, Lat pull downs, bicep curls, assisted wide-grip pull-ups,
(my goal is to do these on my own- I’m workin on it!)
chest to bar pull-ups, & outer bicep curls
(I will do a video on these cause I love them!)
I also through in some ab work alternating with my lower back extensions!
gotta love a good lifting sesh and seeing progress!
Although I love my lifting,
I’ve been inspired by my girls to start a running program!
I’ve never been a big runner, but I WANT to love it!
I enjoy working out, obvi.
But I never fell in love with running like I have with lifting.
But that’s why I’ve decided to switch things up!
It’s always good to keep your body guessing!
So this morning I used the “Map My Run” App to
map out the distance of my run through my neighborhood.
It was 2.38 miles – which I was totally ok with!
Fact: My neighborhood is 75% crazy hills
#quadswereraging
#runnersgrind
I get excited though because I know that if I continue
running, I’ll get in better shape & then I’ll have to switch things up again!
I’m planning on running 3-4 days a week
and weight lifting as well!
I just won’t run on my LEG DAYS;
because I don’t want to over use those muscles!
So I came home as sweaty mess & hung out with my best friend….
the FOAM ROLLER.
#amen
I also REFUELD with a
Chocolate Covered Cherry & Mango Vanilla
POWER SMOOTHIE!
I blended a half serving of each smoothie.
Chocolate Covered Cherry:
5 black cherries (pitted)
1 TB Dark Cherry Juice (optional)
1/2 Scoop Protein Powder
1 TB Cocoa Powder (I like my chocolate)
1/2 Cup Frozen Spinach
& 1/4 Cup Coconut Milk (unsweet)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum to thicken
(optional)
Mango Vanilla:
1/4 Cup Fresh Chopped Mango
1/2 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 cup Coconut Milk (unsweet)
& some Xanthan Gum to thicken
(optional)
I layered this bad boy up with some sprouted seed granola
(via my whole foods trip) & some cocoa nibs!
It’s so yummy!
Don’t forget that CHERRIES are a
POWERHOUSE of Antioxidants;
especially after a work out!
CHERRY FACTS:
Diet can play a key role in managing post-exercise pain.
A growing body of science reveals that tart cherries unique
anti-inflammatory profile may aid muscle recovery
and reduce oxidative stress in athletes.
Other research supports the pain relief benefits
of incorporating tart cherries in a training routine.
Experts urge athletes to help manage inflammation
with natural anti-inflammatory foods, like cherries.
Sports nutritionists and endurance athletes alike are using tart cherries
as part of a recovery program to support athletic performance and recovery.
Check out more info at www.ChooseCherries.com
(one of the awesome sponsors at the Fitness & Health Bloggers Conference)
Also don’t forget to LINK UP on Sunday for the
POWERMEAL A WEEK CHALLENGE
Enjoy your weekend!!
xoxo
Are you joining the Sunday Powermeal A Week Link up!?
Do you ever switch things up with your work outs?
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Yum! That smoothie looks amazing! I love heavy lifting too and am not the biggest running fan so I am going to challenge myself to work on running with you! My current goal is to run 3X a week! We’ll see how it goes! Looks like you had a great birthday and Fourth too!
yay!! So glad you’ll challenge yourself with me! <3
That smoothie looks delicious, especially on these hot days! I run really often, usually train for 2 marathons a year and try to incorporate strength training into that, but you inspire me to try to incorporate it in more! Overtime I hope to see some more results. Great post!
I have just decided to start running, also! I used to but suffered for horrible shin splits, so I quit running and picked up weight lifting and tabata, etc. But I’m feeling the itch lately, so I bought some good running shoes and some compression sleeve, and I am going to join a running club to get my mileage up again slowly! Don’t get me wrong, I love my strength training (i’ve gotten some awesome muscles from it, YAY!) and will continue it for sure, but nothing beats that runner’s high
I’ve never gotten into running either. I ran a 5K in 27 minutes also and trained for it so I ran a lot then. I just prefer weights, cardio in other forms, and even yoga more.
switching things up is so much fun, especially with exercise. Good luck with your running girl!!!
WOW – what a wonderful bday & just plain ole fun!!! You scored!
Course love all those recipes too & that Power Smoothie – YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did 5Ks when I was younger but now I just run for cardio exercise but I do challenge myself in the gym on the treadmill with intervals & HIIT.
I use a RumbleRoller which for me kneads my muscles better than a regular foam roller & now in love with The Body Wrench!! Wrote about the recovery portion on my blog & talking about the strength portion using it this coming week!
Cherry smoothies are awesome. I wish I could find frozen cherries over here. I’m glad you had a great birthday celebration, it sounds like it was a blast. Wine is always needed;) Great job on starting up running, I’m definitely not a runner, but always am inspired by how far people can run. I love spinning more for my cardio. Its my love.
Just wondering, what trail mix do you usually purchase from whole foods?
Umm we were meant to be friends haha. I never fell in love with running but I love my weights. I was a sprinter for many years but that was it… 1 lap and I was done! I am trying to fit running and biking in more since I am off for the summer. I am glad you had a great Bday! When you come to Orlando to visit me we can hate running together haha.