Black Tap & My Fitness Role Models

Hello, hello! Sorry I’ve been more on the MIA side this week…too much going on. I hope you’ve been well.

I got a very nice break from the usual madness, and met Taylor (with Kaylin) at Black Tap Coffee in downtown Charleston.

The shop is hidden away on a side street, but it absolutely beautiful inside:

Taylor and I discussed our upcoming wedding dress race and sipped on almond milk lattes (I want another one right now!!).

   

I definitely plan to visit Black Tap again.

 

The rest of the week has been filled with work, teaching, taking care of the peanut (who enjoyed a little pasta and turkey meatballs last night):

 

and I also got my hair done yesterday (very necessary).

Last week, I received a comment that made me smile and also got me thinking. Miranda said:

“I love your attitude towards fitness. It's so easy to get sucked into the mindset of having to have a six pack or be perfect instead of having fun!”

I couldn’t agree more. I think goals are fantastic. They help you determine how to get where you want to be.  BUT…I do think that on occasion we all have a tendency to get sucked into the vortex of I need to look exactly like this, or work out strictly according to  x, or eat strictly according to y….and it drives me a little batty.

I think one the best sources of motivation we can all have is a good fitness role model. While I have many fitness role models that I’m close to (specifically my Mom and some of the other instructors I teach with), I also have one “celebrity” fitness role model, the Program Director for Body Attack, Lisa Osborne.  Lisa is on the shorter side (like me), but she is ferocious when it comes to fitness! Here is a little video of her and some of the other male Body Attack presenters preparing for the filming of the latest Body Attack release:

Who is your fitness role model??

Weekend: Burwell’s & Ellie

How has your weekend been? I hope its been treating you well! Friday, I kicked off my morning with a spin class (hadn’t been in forever) and then Kaylin had a date with her friend, Ryan, at Barnes & Noble:

 

Cuteness! After Kaylin took a nice nap, we went grocery shopping. At night, we enjoyed dinner in with Josh.

Saturday morning, I taught Body Step. I wore my new Ellie capris for the class (Kaylin is making sure my step is on tight).

 

They fit awesome! And move so well. I will have a full review (hopefully with Ms. Christina) coming soon (disclaimer: I received these capris for free).

 

  

 

After a delicious butternut squash soup (I used more butternut squash- 32 oz, and 2 cups of vegetable broth) lunch, Josh and I ran errands.

We had adult dinner plans at Burwell’s. I can’t tell you how badly I wish I could have photographed this dinner (but it was totally inappropriate given the company we were with)! The food was truly artistic. You start your meal with a mini ginger and sea salt scone (amazing). We sampled a little of everything at the restaurant. Josh said the steaks were incredible. I tried a bundle of their vegetable side dishes and am in love with their parsnip purée. We will definitely be back.

Sunday morning, I took hot yoga at my favorite studio. The rest of the day will be spent changing up choreography for the week, cleaning & relaxing.

What are you up to?

Special Announcement

Something I enjoy? Combining my love of fitness with raising money for a good cause! I am teaming with my friend Taylor over at Lifting Revolution (we met during the Charleston Half Marathon) to raise money for the Special Olympics! How are we doing this? We’re going to be running the Color Me Rad race  in…our wedding dresses!

Taylor wrote a post/did a VLOG on the topic here. I want to help her shatter her original record! If you’d like to donate- go here! No pressure (of course). Would love any shout outs in your blog posts too!!

I realized once I had committed to this awesome cause..that I hadn’t put my wedding dress on in 5 1/2 years.. Luckily, it fit!

In other exciting news, my new releases arrived yesterday ! Wahooo! Now…learning time!

  

Tomorrow is my Mom’s birthday. I’m celebrating with her today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

What are you up to today? Other than celebrating my Mom’s birthday, I’m working & teaching Body Step.

Monday Things (Vegan Chickpea Soup)

How was your weekend? Ours was really nice. We had a lot of time together as a family (love) and I got in some great teaching time at the gym. I also had a wonderful coffee/shopping date with my friend Amelia. She recommended these delicious little broccoli bites:

These are SO yummy! And they’re not breaded. They have sweet potato and spinach bites too- trying both out soon! Dr. Praeger’s makes great in a pinch food!

Kaylin’s Aunt Jenny & Mimi purchased her new outfits. They got them from an awesome store called Crazy 8. Kaylin loves animals on her clothes. Here she is modeling a few of the new outfits:

 

 

This one says Cutiesaurus.

Thanks Jenny & Mimi!!

I re-made one of my favorite recipes for vegan chickpea soup (made with cashew cream). I used a combination of yellow squash and corn instead of all corn- SO good! This one has cheese on top so…its not exactly vegan, but definitely delicious:

   

Do you have today off or are you working? I am not working my “day job”, but I am teaching two classes! Enjoy your day!!

Low-Carb Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I know, I know…you’re still in a sugar coma from Valentine’s day…but I couldn’t wait to share this delicious recipe. Recently, I was contacted by the Harvard Sweet Boutique to see if I would want to taste test and share one of their recipes. Peanut butter mixed with chocolate? I’m in. A little bit about the boutique:

“Harvard Sweet Boutique is a gourmet baking company that specializes in handmade and decadent cookies, brownies and toffee that are delivered in beautiful packaging that the shopper can customize, picking from themed boxes, ribbon styles and countless colors to make a gift perfect for every recipient. Even for those with specific dietary needs, Harvard Sweet Boutique offers low-carb and gluten-free treats! Founded by Harvard, Mass. resident Sue George in 2007, Harvard Sweet Boutique gained in popularity as an online retailer accepting orders through its catalog and website. This past November, Harvard Sweet Boutique opened its doors for its first brick-and-mortar store located in Hudson, Mass. The storefront acts as a test kitchen, where treats like homemade pop-tarts, fresh granola, whoopee pies and chocolate covered strawberries are created and offered!”
    
Low-Carb Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies (from Sue George, owner of Harvard Sweet Boutique)
Nutritional information: 12g carbohydrates per 1 oz. serving
Yields approx. (36) 1 oz. cookies.
Ingredients:

• 8 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1/2 c peanut butter (creamy)
• 1/2 c light brown sugar
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ c flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 c semisweet chocolate chunks

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper
3. Cream butter, peanut butter, light brown sugar and sugar with mixer
4. Add egg and vanilla and mix well
5. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt and whisk to mix
6. Add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture and stir until just blended
7. Add chocolate chunks and mix well
8. Bake 12-14 minutes until golden brown

 
So yum!
You should definitely give this one a go!

What are you up to this weekend? I’m teaching Attack and Step, going to dinner with the family, coffee with a friend, and to a party. Good stuff! Enjoy.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Butter Cream Frosting

Happy Valentine’s Day!! I hope you enjoy a sweet treat (or two) today. My plans for the day include teaching Body Step, working, and grabbing something sweet post dinner (frozen yogurt?? candy??).

Have you been having a nice week? Ours has had a few bumps. Monday night, we ended up in the ER with Kaylin. She has been battling a virus (or set of viruses) for weeks. Her fever started spiking, and Tylenol was offering no relief. Unfortunately, nothing the ER could do :(. She is feeling better though!

On the upside, we celebrated Josh’s birthday (again) on Tuesday. I made him a waffle breakfast:

and pizza dinner (cheese, turkey, and lots of artichokes):

 

We’ve also been celebrating Valentine’s day all week long. Kaylin received awesome cards from all of her grandparents:

 

Last night, I made cupcakes for Kaylin’s daycare. They’re having a Valentine’s day celebration. I used this Martha recipe for the batter:

 

My taste tester gave them a round of applause:

I cheated on the frosting…I used Betty Crocker:

          

and added strawberries:

 

I will never win a decorating contest (hello, I have no patience), but they are yummy!

 

How are you celebrating Valentine’s day??

Two of My Favorite Cookie Recipes

How was your weekend? Ours was packed with all kinds of good stuff! On Friday, in between my to dos, I fit in an awesome bridge walk with Kaylin & my friend Amelia:

Since Josh’s birthday is on Tuesday (Happy birthday Joshers!!), I decided we’d celebrate all weekend long. He had a massage on Saturday and lunch with his family. He also helped me make Kaylin’s Valentine’s based on this amazing idea:

 

  

Saturday night was the “big” birthday celebration. Josh’s parents watched Kaylin for the night while we dined and stayed in the city. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriot which was fantastic. The rooms are more on the modern side:

 

Once we checked in, we walked around town for a bit. We stopped at my favorite candy store so I could get a little bag of my favorite candies (gummy raspberries & blackberries):

 

 

We dined at our favorite Charleston restaurant, Grill 225.

 

 

 

SUCH a fantastic night.

 

On Sunday morning, we walked around looking for somewhere to have breakfast. A lot of the restaurants were closed (it was early), but we stumbled upon this adorable bakery:

 

 

Everyone who worked at the bakery was super friendly. We tried their yogurt/fruit/granola combo:

 

You can’t see the granola, but it was yummy. I also got a soy latte. Delicious:

 

I wanted to nab one of these delicious looking sugar cookies, but decided it was a little early.

  

The rest of my Sunday involved doing things around the house, going for a run with Kaylin, and baking cookies to bring into Josh’s work for his birthday. Two of my favorites:

1. Caroline’s double chocolate chunk cookies:

2. Chocolate, chocolate chip cookie dough balls (not sure why they look purple in this picture ;)).

Tell me one thing you did this weekend!!