Birthday Recap & Switching things up!

July 6, 2012 -
14 comments, add yours

hi all! Winking smile
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!

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Once I got home, I prepped LOTS of veggies to grill up
(snow peas, brussels, green onion, shallots, cauliflower, & broccoli)

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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 Winking smile
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! Red heart
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

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#eatclean #powerfuel

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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 Winking smile
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!

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We cleaned up & then headed to the city for the day!

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*We got froggy tats on our biceps to represent Winking smile
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.

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Yes I have a small bladder & yes I drink a lot of water,
but I promise I can control it! Surprised smile
#notAclassymoment

Other than the #classymoment,
it was such a fun day!

Yesterday I got right back into my lifting
with a back & bicep day!

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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!Winking smile

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.

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It was 2.38 miles – which I was totally ok with!

map run
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….

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the FOAM ROLLER.
#amen

I also REFUELD with a
Chocolate Covered Cherry & Mango Vanilla
POWER SMOOTHIE!

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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)

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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
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Enjoy your weekend!!
Red heart

xoxo

Are you joining the Sunday Powermeal A Week Link up!?

Do you ever switch things up with your work outs?

Category: Blog, FitFluential, Fitness, POWERMEAL A WEEK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

14 responses to “Birthday Recap & Switching things up!”

  1. 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!

  2. Alex says:

    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!

  3. Dolce M says:

    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 🙂

  4. 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.

  5. switching things up is so much fun, especially with exercise. Good luck with your running girl!!!

  6. 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!

  7. Lisa says:

    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.

  8. […] I was inspired this week by some leftover corn & watermelon from the 4th of july! aka. my birthday week! […]

  9. Katie says:

    Just wondering, what trail mix do you usually purchase from whole foods?

  10. 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.

  11. Becky says:

    Got everything I need for the smoothie, today. Making it tomorrow! Kasey, your recipes are awesome!

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