First on the fitness front...
We finished up 12 weeks of Metabolic Prime workouts in the middle of the month and I have been looking for a new program to take us to the end of the year. Not wanting to lose the gains I have made on in both muscle definition and strength I have been using a variety of methods to maintain.
Normally my strength workouts have been on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so I have been keeping to those days.
The first week I did a very short tabata style workout. I started out with a good warmup and then did 10 squats followed by 10 pushups... repeated those moves 5 times... and then did a good stretch. Not a lot but tough enough. And of course I walked several miles each day.
This past week I got out some old workout DVDs and used them on M, W, and F. And there was a lot more walking, and a run. There are some tough elements to a few of these older routines and it was fun to revisit them.
I am a huge fan of vegan protein powders but some of the recipes I have developed in my kitchen seem to work better with a whey powder. I spent quite a bit of time looking for a new one that I could purchase locally and came up with a Canadian brand called LeanFit. It tastes good, and has a nutritional profile that I am fairly happy with. I bought a tub of the vanilla and of the chocolate.
I found this recipe for Mint Avocado Protein Mousse on their web site this week and found it intriguing enough to try. I made it for my afternoon snack and because it makes 2 servings, shared it with The Captain. We both loved it! I would never had thought to put peppermint and avocado together myself but it works. I am going to be making it again and will try it with chocolate next time.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I received a box of coconut oil products to sample from a company called Skinny & Co.
There are several different products here... all coconut oil based... and they serve a great variety of applications. Along with all of the health benefits of eating coconut oil, there are a zillion ways it can be used topically... skin cleansing and moisturizing, makeup removal, hair conditioning, shaving cream, after sun care, just to name a few.
One of these jars contains a brown sugar scrub... it is a terrific exfoliator and they claim that it can also be added to coffee or tea as a sweetener! Nope, I haven't tried it yet, but I am going to!
There is also a peppermint flavored oil for pulling.... now I have been oil pulling several times a week for a couple of months now and am a huge proponent of this practice. I swear my teeth have gotten considerably whiter and less stained since I first started. It makes my teeth feel smooth and really clean. I found this peppermint flavor in the oil a bit off-putting at first but I am getting used to it. It is a good way for newcomers to the practice to enjoy it, I think.
And my food plan...
For a long time, I used carb cycling and intermittent fasting to work on staying lean. But I am always looking to try new things and lately I have been using IIFYM - If It Fits Your Macros. It took me a few iterations to come up with a set of macro numbers - grams of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats - that I can live with comfortably. Yes, it is a lot of work. Yes, I am a numbers geek and like to do the math. But I am happy with the results I am seeing on the scale and in the way my clothes fit. I feel like I work hard in the gym and pounding the pavement so I might just as well support that with good fuel. And yes, I can make room for treats!
When I carb cycled, I couldn't eat a lot of my favorite dishes because you aren't supposed to eat carbs and fats on the same day so I was beginning to feel a bit deprived, which is never good. With IIFYM I can have whatever I want as long as the numbers work. I really like that aspect.
And coming up...
I have also signed up for a 21 Day Holiday Countdown Challenge with Lauren from The Bikini Experiment. I did one of her challenges a while back and found it helped me stay on track so I eagerly joined this one when she announced it... it starts October 31st so if you are interested, you can check it out for yourself.
So, how did October go for you? Anything new on your plate or in your workout bag?
I'd never have thought to combine avocado and mint either, but it sounds good! Coffee sweetener? Oh my no way! See now I like the minty taste of the coconut oil for pulling. Probably because I'm new to the practice.
ReplyDeletePeppermint and avocado? Interesting combination! I apply coconut oil on my hair to prevent tangles. I would love to try the brown sugar scrub.
ReplyDeleteHi Elle! Thanks so much for making our Mint Avocado Protein Mousse with completegreen vegan protein powder. We're thrilled you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are constantly switching up your workouts to keep things in high gear all the time
ReplyDeleteI love coconut oil....I have extremely dry & sensitive skin (especially on my face), and the oil feel so mild. I have never done the "pulling" though I have heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like that brown sugar scrub! I don't know much about oil pulling. I wonder how effective it is--compared to brushing.
ReplyDeleteThat brown sugar scrub! I want to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love avocado, so that avocado mint sounds interesting... I need to start eating more for fuel. I way over carbo loaded for MCM and need to get back to my normal size.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love those sugar exfoliators and scrubs. They smell so good and leave my skin feeling so hydrated.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the challenge! I'm all about using challenges as a way to stay motivated during the holiday months to help prevent me from steering too far off course.
ReplyDeleteOil pulling? That sounds intense- you really enjoy it? Is it healthy then like the white strips? Good luck with the holiday challenge, I will check it out!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have all sorts of challenges and goals going on - so great to stay motivated. I don't have the patience for my DVDs anymore - it takes so long for them to load up and get through the FBI warning!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many positive benefits of oil pulling - how are you liking it? is it just for color or for sensitivity too?
ReplyDeleteoooh I need to try the PEPPERMINT OIL to pull with. Ive gagged with the coconut for far too long....
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