This post is a bit all over the place, but I think if you try either the workout or the recipe, you will have gotten something of value by stopping by today!
Above all, the purpose of this blog is to educate and equip you with ideas that spur you to try something new, break or create a habit, and enjoy each new day and its opportunities. SO here's a workout and a recipe and I'm challenging you to try at least one.
A new product I've been loving lately is Ifit's customized nourish shakes-- I think customized nutrition is extremely beneficial and encourage anyone to check it out here-- (saves you 25%)
I TRY NEW THINGS, TOO-- PUSH-UP EDITION
Honestly, where is the fun in repeating the same workouts followed by the same meals every day? Your body will stop thanking you, you taste buds will stop exciting you and your resolve will fade soon if it hasn't already.
On Sunday (normally my complete rest day), I found myself with more energy than normal and even less ability than normal to entertain myself while Drew watched football. To be honest, it's rare that I try to watch football or soccer with him because I simply don't like watching sports......or anything for very long. So I headed to the gym with the sole purpose of working on my push-ups....an exercise we all love to hate.
They are incredibly effective for the entire body and core, we know....blah...blah...they're still horrible. I tried plenty as many variations as I could think of and used the "rest" times to do some cardio circuits. Before I knew it, my arms were absolutely shaking and I had worked up quite a sweat. I've been incredibly sore ever since and blow drying my hair is almost too painful to attempt (I'll add that to my list of reasons for dry shampoo this week).
To be honest, I incorporate sets of 15-20 push-ups in lots of workouts, but I rarely focus on completely exhausting the muscles by performing enough sets to failure to really break down and build the pectoralis (chest) muscles. Maybe this video will give you a few ideas!
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Ingredients:
- 2 Mini Honey Butternut Squash (found at Trader Joe’s)
- 2 Cups Chopped Kale
- 2 Cups Cubed Grilled Chicken
- 3 Cups Broccoli
- 1 Cup Baby Bella Mushrooms
- ½ Cup Fat Free Mozzerella Cheese
- ¼ Cup Roasted, Salted Pumpkin Seeds
- Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive Oil
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Cut butternut squash in half and hollow out seeds and some of squash to make room for stuffing, drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook Squash for 25 minutes or until soft
On a separate baking sheet, roast broccoli, mushrooms and kale until soft (10-12 minutes)
Pan Fry or grill chicken breasts using Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute and cube after cooked and cooled.
Fill the cooked squash with broccoli, kale, mushrooms, chicken and cheese as desired and cook for another 6-7 minutes until cheese melts.
Top with roasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy!
Calories: 240
Macros per serving (2 halves)
- 6 Grams of Fat
- 25 Grams of Carbs
- 27 Grams of Protein
Feel free to skip over this, but it's a little lesson in macros and what foods fit in what categories (carbs, fats, proteins).
Ingredient Profile:
Butternut Squash: I chose this CARB source because it is a little lower carb than sweet potato and if I can choose a slightly lower carb source for dinner, it means I will have more of my daily allotment left over for a treat at night.
Chicken- My personal goals and training style involve building muscle mass and this won’t happen if I don’t get the amount of protein needed for my body.
Kale- Low-calorie, but able to pack a sizable punch in the vitamin and mineral department necessary to keep cells functioning well and bodily systems happy.
Cheese- Sneaky source of more protein, and I kept it fat free because I would rather get the fats I consume from peanut butter or a delicious scoop of guacamole on my salad (neither cheese, not peanut butter is right or wrong, but I am going to stick to my fat goal each day, so I have to pick and choose where I want to “spend” it).