Happy Earth Day!

I decided to join fellow blogger and BodyPump instructor Q (check out her fun blog) on her challenge to GO HEAVY on squat weights. I’ve been toying with the idea of adding a second big plate for a couple of months now and tonight I decided to go for it! Luckily, it was my co-instructor’s turn to teach the first half of class so I could focus on the new weight. It’s amazing to me how much you have to engage your core to protect your low back when you are lifting heavy weight. A strong core truly is the foundation of a strong body. I think I tell my class “abdominals on tight” in every single track! We’ll see if I’m feeling it tomorrow!

And just because I just want to say it…can I tell y’all how much I LOVE teaching group exercise! I love seeing familiar faces every week and watching them progress with their weights and perfect their form. We are so lucky at the Y to co-teach BodyPump classes. We divide first half/second half of class so one of us can walk around and correct form and control the music while the other teaches – and of course we participate as much as possible. And I love the first timers too for a whole slew of other reasons. I might have to write a post one day dedicated to “how to survive your first group exercise class.” I know how intimidating/overwhelming it can be.

Now the next big decision is what to become certified to teach next? I’m thinking spin?

Breakfast this morning was another bowl of banana oats but with a little twist.

1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup vanilla soy milk, 1/3 cup water, pinch salt, 1/2 thinly sliced banana, raisins and cinnamon. Topped with almond butter, a little Crofter’s and a crumbled banana/wheat/flax mini muffin. From time to time I use crumbled muffins as a topping. It adds an interesting twist – not something I’d want every time but good to mix it up!

I was NOT feeling lunch today which isn’t normal for me. I didn’t head home until 1 p.m. and once I got home I kind of wandered around the kitchen with no inspiration for lunch. Nothing was sounding appealing. I finally settled on drinking my lunch.

Green Monster made with 4 crushed ice cubes, 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder and about 1 1/2 cups spinach. Served in an ice-cold Panthers pint glass in honor of tonight’s NFL draft! 🙂 I don’t know what I did differently but today’s green monster was SO good. Thick and creamy – like a milkshake. Yum!

Afternoon snack was my favorite – a cherry pie Lara Bar!

I love Lara Bars. They are unprocessed, raw, vegan, gluten-free and have no added sugar. Sounds yuck, right? Wrong. They are so very tasty. Take today’s Cherry Pie Lara Bar – the ingredients were dates, almonds and unsweetened cherries. You’ll find that with all the flavors – short ingredient list, all stuff you know! If you haven’t tried Lara Bars I highly suggest them as snacks. They seem small but really stay with me through my workout.

Dinner tonight was supposed to be a Veal Scallopini recipe from the 1940’s for 68 Days of Gourmet but for the second time this week Harris Teeter didn’t have veal. I’m going to swing by Earth Fare tomorrow to see if I can pick some up there.

I almost walked out of the grocery empty-handed but I knew that I would struggle at home to come up with dinner. I decided to pick up two tilapia fillets because they were on sale for $3.99 per pound. Our fish tonight ended up being $2.40 total and really hit the spot.

I sautéed Brandon’s with Cajun seasoning and mine with Dizzy Pig’s Shakin’ the Tree. I can’t say enough good things about Dizzy Pig rubs. My dad introduced us to them years ago and we have every single variety of rub in our pantry. We use these not only for grilling but also for indoor cooking, vegetables and more.

Salad and bread (unpictured) on the side.

Don’t forget about the 30 day soda challenge! A big group on Twitter (#NoFizzCLT) is giving up soda starting today, Earth Day, through May 22. Hopefully, by May 22 many people will have kicked the habit. Consider joining us because really, there is nothing good for you in soda.

And in the spirit of Earth Day…what are you doing to be a little more green? Brandon and I have gotten serious about recycling the last couple years. I also try to always bring my reusable bags to the store and we’re getting much more into local produce and meats and sustainable seafood. I love this idea I saw on Wedded Whittaker today to build rain barrels. Might have to see if Brandon wants to take up that project at our new house. I would also like to start composting!