Stopped working out everyday - however, stopped eating cake and ice cream like a fiend, which then resulted in weight gain? ... how does that even make sense (other than not working out everyday, but still working out...)
Feeling sluggish and restless
Not having the best of meals which resulted in time spent being blog-less (not that I was eating poor, just not eating foods that I thought were blogworthy)
Sleeping in like a teenager on the weekends
All of this made me feel pretty down about myself, so last week I decided I was going to make an effort to get back on track. I started working out again, (which it may not be as long as I was working out, but it's more intensive!)
I started eating proper meals, and jotting down what I was eating so I could clearly see what I'm putting into my diet, and what I need more or less of (and not in an ED sense, absolutely not!)
Been going to sleep a little bit earlier at night (which results in me waking up during the night, but I'm actually sleeping really deep that I'm actually dreaming... okay scratch that, I'm having nightmares, but it's still better than two hours of sleep a night).
I've been making my own desserts + lots of fruit salads so I don't feel tempted by cakes and ice cream (even though I indulged in a bit of ice cream yesterday... other than that, it hasn't tempted me in the least).
My meals are healthy, satisfying, and blogworthy, woo! Which leads me to today's post!
...
Vegan "Banana Split"
For someone who is as big of a fan of bananas, coconut, and ice cream, it seems a bit strange that last year was my first time having a banana split right? Well... it might of been my first banana split, and it's been my last one, unless you count my Banana Split Overnight Oats that is, which honestly I preferred. This morning however, I wanted a "banana split", but one without artificial flavours, sugars, and ingredients that I cannot pronounce mmmhmm. This was definitely a scrumptious breakfast, and usually a banana gets eaten before my workout to give a boost of energy, well, well mes amis, this has two bananas, and other delicious goods. Doing my work out this morning was definitely easy, I had a ton of energy, sweat like a man and felt great afterward. This will definitely become habitual for pre-workout eats!
Ingredients:
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1 large banana, frozen + a drop or soy of soy milk
- 3-5 medium sized strawberries, quartered
- 4 Coconut and Papaya Cashew Bites (recipe below)
- Hazelnut agave nectar
Cut your ripe banana in half and place on your plate.
Make your banana soft serve by whipping up your frozen banana with a bit of soy milk in the bowl of your food processor. Once you have reached "ice cream" consistency stop, do not over mix or else it will "melt". Add on top of your banana.
Throw on your strawberries, and truffles. Top with hazelnut agave nectar.
Devour.
Coconut and Papaya Cashew Bites
Ingredients:
- 5 tbsp + 1 tsp cashews
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 pitted medjool dates, chopped
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract
- 1/2 tbsp plus 1 tsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp dried papaya
In the bowl of your food processor, whiz up your cashews until roughly chopped. After a few moments throw in your dried fruits and whiz with your coconut. Add in remaining ingredients + coconut, whiz together until a ball forms. When the ball forms, roll into teeny "dough" balls of desired size. If you want roll in additional coconut or other desired toppings such as nuts/sprinkles.
Blueberry Pie Smoothie
Recipe adapted from here
As we have all come to know (even if i don't post recipes of cakes, because I sure talk about them a lot) I am 190% (yes, I know how math works, and know that 190% is not a real percentage), but, I am a cake > pie person any day. I would give my left arm for a cake, for a piece of pie I wouldn't even part with my baby toe, I just don't care for it. However, that is not to say that I do not adore pie flavours, pumpkin pie, sugar pie, and apple pie contain some of my favourite flavour combination's but I just can't do a pie, sorry all. Yesterday, the person in charge of prepping snacks at work had brought out a raspberry pie (and as delicious as it looked) I didn't even wink, didn't even try to sniff to see if I would maybe try it, I just went straight for the fruit (as if that's a surprise in itself)... however, when I saw a recipe for a blueberry pie smoothie I thought what the hay, let's try it. I'm glad I tried it, because it's definitely one of my new favourite smoothies, especially with the fresh Quebec blueberries we just bought! I changed up the recipe a bit from the original, since I took a sip from the original and felt it needed my frozen banana (yes, I really am hooked on milkshake-like textured smoothies!).
This is a perfect summer smoothie, that you must make!
Ingredients:
- 1 large banana, frozen
- 1/2 cup blueberries, frozen
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Soak your oats in your milk and water for five minutes and place in the fridge. Once the five minutes are up, add all ingredients to your blender and whiz until you get your desired smoothie-texture!
Tropical Strawberry Couscous Breakfast Bowl
Last but certainly not least (as I will continue to be blogging ;) ), one breakfast I've been enjoying a lot lately is with couscous. I've been a little hooked on couscous lately to say the least. It's so quick to make, other than oats what grain can you cook on the stove, and have your meal ready (if the remaining ingredients are ready) in less than five minutes, especially for a breakfast? If there is one, I have not come across it yet. This breakfast was insanely divine, it was good fuel for my morning work out (which is always something I try to focus on... main focus actually), it was quick to make (even better), heck of an easy clean-up (win!), and it was delicious and healthy, (win, win, win!)
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup couscous
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup pineapple, chopped into tiny pieces
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp coconut extract
- Dash of salt
- 5-6 medium strawberries, quartered
- Toasted coconut meat
- 5-6 pecan, coarsely chopped
Directions:
Get your ingredients ready and set aside (since your couscous takes little to no-time to make especially when it's such a small amount as 1/3 cup).
Once your pineapple, strawberries and pecans are chopped, and your coconut is close, turn on your oven.
In a small pot, on medium-high heat, add your water, salt and couscous, once the water starts to dissolve add your pineapple, coconut extract and cinnamon.
Once all the water has been absorbed and your couscous is nice and fluffy add to your bowl. Top with strawberries, pecans, coconut and desired sugary topping (maple syrup, agave, etc - if desired).
Both are delicious! Personally I prefer the Vegan "Banana Split" 'cause it's very easy to prepare.
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