Fitness | Fit and Fortysomething

Vegan overnight oats and some running

April 11, 2012 17 Comments

Funny that last week when I was off for Spring Break, I did not get much running in.

I guess I just needed a break?

Instead I ended up trying Crossfit and getting back into cycling. It was a nice change of pace.

But when I am working, I CRAVE a run first thing in the morning.

This morning I met up with my friend Sara and we ran a little over 6 miles.

It was a beautiful morning!

Once I got to work, I got busy eating my vegan overnight oats. I instagramed it because I am addicted to instagram and all the clean eating and inspirational folks on it. And quite a few folks asked how I make my wonderful creation.

Well this is how it is done:

Use these ingredients.

That would be muesli, chocolate protein powder, chia seeds, almond milk and cinnamon.

And lately I been adding a bit of carob powder-makes it even more chocolatey.

I do not measure but I would say I am using approximately:

3/4 cup muesli, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 tsp. chia seeds, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup almond milk and 1 tbsp almond butter.

Put all the dry ingredients in a Tupperware or bowl the night before with almond milk and almond butter.

And then mix it all up in the morning.

So good.

That’s how I do it

I prefer my oats a bit on the chunky side so I do not use that much almond milk. Experiment with different measurements and find what works for you.

Have a great day!

By the way, I highly recommend you check out Alan’s blog. He is super inspirational and has some great videos.

Filed Under: Crossfit, Cycling, Fitness, Food, Health, Running 17 Comments

Recovery smoothie

April 8, 2012 14 Comments

So many of you have asked me how I make my smoothie in a bowl so today I thought I would share.

Bill and I just finished one, because we just got back from another glorious but hard ride today. I am not sure what I was thinking but I suggested to him that we ride together today (he is very fast!) and that we do a pretty long loop considering I have not been riding (what was I thinking?).

We ended up going almost 50 miles!

It was tough for me! This was my 3rd ride in about 6 months and I must have thought I was superwoman or something.

The first part of the ride I was doing okay but about midway through, I was in pain almost everywhere. If you have ever ridden a bike for an extended period of time you know you start to ache in the butt bones, and today my arms starting aching and of course my legs as well.

It was tough. Bill took this video of me on the windy way back into town.

Once we finally made it home I got busy making recovery smoothies in a bowl for us.

Here is what I typically use though it can change depending on what is on hand.

Usually one smoothie contains about:

1 cup milk ( I use almond or coconut or a mix)
1/2 banana
2 scoops vegan protein powder (love chocolate!)
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon maca (Bill does not like it so I only get it)
Lately, I have been adding 1 teaspoon of carob powder
And then fill the rest up with frozen berries.
Sometimes I use spinach too.

Once it is blended I serve in a bowl and top with a tbsp of almond butter and either oats, granola or trail mix.

It’s delicious and satisfying and more fun to eat then sipping a smoothie from a glass.

Let me know if you try it!

Hope you had a fabulous Easter

Filed Under: Cycling, Fitness, Food, Health 14 Comments

Getting reacquainted

April 7, 2012 17 Comments

I love Saturdays that start with coffee in bed and overnight oats.

And a bike ride!

Stella (my bike) and I have started to get re acquainted again. We went on a 20 mile ride on Thursday and today we managed to do 32 miles.

Jack and I were supposed to meet up with some other riders but it did not happen. So we enjoyed each others company and rode to Meiners Oaks and stopped for coffee.

It was a perfect day to ride. A bit of wind but lots of sun. It felt great hanging at the coffee shop and enjoying the sunny skies.

We eventually got ourselves back on our bikes and headed back down to Ventura.

And once home I promptly refueled with a smoothie in a bowl.

Perfect!

Even though I have not been riding much at all the last 6 months or so, I feel as though I have been fairly strong on my bike these last 2 rides. I am not sure if running fitness transfers to bike fitness or what but I am glad. There is NOTHING worse than riding a bike with no fitness-it can be torture

Did you enjoy your Saturday?

Filed Under: Cycling, Fitness, Fun, Health 17 Comments

13.1 miles is special to me

April 5, 2012 14 Comments

Last night, Bill and I loaded up the car and made the trek back home armed with the good stuff.

We finally arrived home safe and sound.

Vacations are wonderful but there is something to be said about home

Luckily I was greeted by a gift I had purchased before we left.

13.1 miles is special to me.

6 months ago I did not think I would be able to run that far without pain. And now I feel like I can get through that distance anytime. Sometimes the distance is easy and sometimes it is hard. But it is never unattainable. Plus 13.1 miles is just far enough without being a killer like a full marathon.