Post Workout Routine

I thought I would take you through my post workout routine. It can be a bit different depending on the time of way I workout and what I have going on. But for the most part this is how my post workouts go!

First thing I do post workout is be thankful that it's over! After that I take my selfie! I gotta prove that worked out.  Did I mention that it usually takes me 10 pictures to get the "perfect" selfie? Yep!  I take some funny ones, serious ones, and all different angles.  Here is the "my booty is on FIRE" selfie. 

Next up is my post workout shake/smoothie. I like to get protein & water in my system ASAP!  So here is what I use!  First I start with about a half a cup of this berry blend from Costco.  I would highly recommend it if you haven't tried it before.  It is great for snacks or shakes or anything else you want to use it for.  The kids ask to have bowls of it, frozen, for snack and I've often done the same.  But I mostly use it in shakes and I love it!

Then I put in a scoop of protein powder.  This is the one I prefer.  It is a plant based protein shake.  I am by no means a vegetarian but I love the way this tastes and how it treats my body.  I would definitely recommend it!  They also have a vanilla chai flavor if you are just going to drink it with water that is AMAZING!  You can find it HERE or at a local health food store.  I actually get mine at Earth Fare. 

I have to blend mine in two batches because I use the little ninja chopper.  I also throw in a banana as you can see.  So I throw all of those things in with some water and blend away. 

I pour my mixture into a quart jar and put on a lid. I also need a straw so I throw one of those in.  It's not hard to make or rocket science.  That's just how I make mine. After I make my shake I take my shower and get on with life! That's pretty much how my post workout routine goes.  How about you?  Do you do the same thing each time? Do you have things that you HAVE to do post workout?

Love, Lacey

Easy & Tasty Smoothie

Today I'm going to show you a simple & tasty smoothie that I like to drink after I workout!  I know there are a million and one smoothie & protein shake recipes out there.  I'm not saying this is any different from any of them.  I just wanted to share with you one of the smoothies I make and love. 

Here are the ingredients that I use! A whole frozen banana, a nice scoop of peanut butter (about 2 TBSP), and depending on the day and workout either half a scoop or a whole scoop of shakeology or use whatever protein powder you like.  

Throw everything into your blender, or ninja, or whatever you like to use to mix things up and add water.  I usually use the maximum amount of water I can because I like a very liquidy (is that a word?) smoothie.

Blend until it's nice a smooth.  

Pour it into your favorite cup, glass, or mason jar!  I love using a straw so I throw one in and CHUG it down! I love having one of these after a workout or a run.  It's important to eat protein after a workout.  The protein helps build back the muscles that you just worked. The banana also helps get you potassium & that helps with not getting leg cramps!  I hope you try this and enjoy!

Question of the day!

What do you like to put in your smoothies?  What do you eat/drink after you workout?

Love, Lacey

Yes We have No Bananas!

I love using bananas in my smoothies and protein shakes but they go bad so quickly! I will buy a bunch and within a few days they go brown or get mushy!  So here is what I came up with to help! 

Here are some bananas that I bought off the "Value price" stand at my local grocery.  They will put bananas that are going bad or are mushy on the stand and price them significantly less than the regular bananas. So I buy a big bunch of them when I see them!

I simply cut them up and put them into a freezer bag (1 banana per bag) and into the freezer they go!  SUPER EASY!  Then I don't have to use ice in my smoothies or shakes because the banana is already frozen and gives that slushy cold goodness!  I don't know why it took me so long to think of this?!  If you look in my freezer I have a shelf that has baggies of frozen bananas and smoothies mixes.  Grab and blend (ok add a few other bits and bobs) but you get the idea!

Love, Lacey

PS!  I also go my shirt for finishing the T25 workout program!  The back says "Nailed it!"  I love this shrit!  Makes me so happy when I wear it cause I didn't just buy it, I EARNED it!

Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches

Mr. J is a hungry guy!  He works hard at work and needs a good breakfast to get him started in the morning.  He loves breakfast sandwiches but they can be expensive!!  So I thought I would try my hand at making my own.  I found this recipe and it looked easy enough so I went for it!

I started off with these English muffins.  They were 2 for $5 (so 12 total) at my local grocery so I thought that was a good deal! 

I lightly toasted them up and then set them up to cool. It was like building a house of cards but with English muffins.

Next I cracked an egg into each cup of a muffin tin and baked them at 350 for about 15-20 min.  The original recipe said 10-15 but when I checked on them they looked pretty runny!  So I cooked them a little longer!  Mr. J said that if I did these again I should whip the yokes into the whites.  He said the yokes tend to stay colder than the rest of the sandwich when he reheats them.  So if you try this make sure to stir up the eggs!

I then put the bottoms of the muffins on a foil lined cookie sheet (the foil just helps with an easier clean up!) and then I put a slice of cheese on top!  MMM bread and cheese, so far so good!

Then I put the cooked and cooled eggs on top of the cheese. 

Now it's time to put the tops on the muffins.  Those look so delicious!

There is a side view for you!  They stick up but we will fix that! I squished them down a bit when I wrapped them with plastic wrap. 

I wanted to par-freeze (is that a word?) them a bit before I wrapped them.  So I put them on top of our chest freezer in the garage (cause it's about 20 degrees out there) but you could stick them in your freezer if you have room.  And once they were semi frozen I wrapped them in plastic wrap and put them in the freezer.  Now Mr. J defrosts one in the microwave and then heats it up. The original recipe said to cook in the oven for 25-30 min but I do NOT have time in the morning to fire up the oven and cook something before Mr. J leaves.  So the microwave works just fine for us.  Now I can send Mr. J to work happy and well fed for about $0.80 a sandwich!  And start to finish this took me about an  hr (not including the hr in the freezer!).

What does your hubby/wife eat before work?  Do you make them something or do they get something on the run?

Love, Lacey

Refrigerator Oatmeal

I have seen this recipe on 100 different sites! I thought I would try it.  So I found it on Pinterest and gave it a go!  Here is the one that I use.  But I changed it just a little to meet my tastes and needs.

Our cast of characters includes almond milk.  You could use water, regular milk, soy, coconut, pretty much any milk or liquid you want. 

Next we have some jam.  You can pick any jam you want.  This is going to be your flavor of your oatmeal so make sure it's one you love. 

And last but not least, you need old fashioned oats.  DO NOT use quick cooking oats.  You must look for old fashioned oats.  I bought this right at my regular grocery store.  It was right beside the other oat meals. 

You will also need a dish of some sort.  I like to use these small ball jars.  I think it looks pretty and then it becomes an easy portable breakfast! But you could use a regular bowl, a plastic Tupperware, whatever the ingredients fit in and can expand just slightly. 

Now you want to put everything into your jar.  I use this canning funnel because although I can get the milk and jam in pretty easily, the oats seem to fly all over the kitchen.  So I just got out the funnel and used it.  Makes it very easy!

Here is the jar with all the ingredients in.  It looks like a parfait! 

Then I simply stir it all together. Make sure it is all mixed very well.  The jam tends to get stuck in chunks and then I feel like it's not flavoring the whole thing.  Or really I just don't want to bite into a chunk of jam.  So give it a good mix with a spoon!  I then put plastic wrap on the top because we didn't have any jar lids.  Then screwed on the rim and put it in the fridge!  In the morning I grab it on my way out the door for church or work or where ever I was going. Don't forget your spoon!! Just a small warning.  The oats will be a little chewy. That is how they are supposed to be.  If you don't like chewy oats this may not be for you.  I like it.  It reminds me of a cereal if that makes sense. But try it out!  I wasn't sure about it at first and now it's an easy go to for busy mornings!

Refrigerator Oatmeal

2/3 cup old fashion oats

1/2 cup almond milk

1-2 TBSP jam

Mix all together and put in the fridge overnight, or at least 6 hrs. This also keeps well! I have made up 3 at a time and used them during that week.  

What other recipes are you interested in? What's your favorite breakfast?

Love, Lacey