Baking and such + a HIIT no equipment workout

Yesterday was a fun day!  I took my daughter to a play place so she could run around and play with other kids and to just get out of the house.  I ended up meeting two really nice moms of 2 year old girls, and we talked about getting together for play dates.  If you're a mom, you know it's not always easy meeting mom friends!  We joked that asking another a mom for her phone number is like asking someone out on a date, Ha!  After the play place, little A and I met the hubby for lunch, sushi, Yum!
Since the weather was so muggy and rainy yesterday afternoon, I decided to make the sweet potato cookies I posted a few days ago (see recipe here).  

Cookie prep!

I like to get all my ingredients set out, so I don't forget anything.  It was actually a really easy recipe, the thing that took the longest was peeling and cutting the sweet potatoes.  While they were cooking I put together the other ingredients.  I did a few things different from the original recipe, I used PB2 in place of the nut butter the recipe called for.  This was actually my first time using PB2 and I loved it, it tastes just like peanut butter to me.  I love that it has fewer calories than regular peanut butter and tastes just as good, this will be the peanut butter I use is my shakes now.  Okay, back to the cookies, I didn't have the La Boite Yemen #10 that the original recipe called for so I used a 1/2 tsp of ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and an extra 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and this worked just fine.  A word to the wise, make sure your sweet potatoes are fully cooled, you can even put them in the fridge after they are pureed.  Mine were still a little warm and stared melting the chocolate chips in the bowl, oops!  I also used quinoa flour so they would be gluten free, I am not gluten free myself, but cutting down on wheat is something I am working on.  I also wanted to make this a gluten free recipe for anyone who can't eat gluten, you need cookies too!

Here is the finished product, I got 24 cookies from the recipe. They are really yummy and super moist.  My daughter and hubby loved them.  I like to have healthier cookies on hand, because my daughter, like me, has a sweet tooth.  These are low in sugar and have the nutritious addition of the sweet potato.  I plugged the recipe into my fitness pal for the nutrition info: Calories per cookie- 70, 2 g fat, 11g carbs, 2g protein, 4 g fiber and 6g sugar.  I would say for a cookie that is pretty good, just make sure to only eat one at a time!
Have you attempted this recipe?  I would love to hear how it turned out!

 

I also made some of my peanut butter energy balls to curb the sweet tooth I had last week.  I have been doing really good at avoiding any white sugar.  I like to have these in the fridge for a quick pick me up during the day.  Have you made these?  Do you love them?

Did anyone else watch the VMA's?  I loved Katy Perry's performance.  She is a great performer and has a healthy and fit physique.  I loved her boxing gear!  I am now obsessed with her song, Roar, it totally gets me pumped up for my workouts!  What songs get you pumped up?

Here is your workout for today or tomorrow (if you have already worked out today).  This HIIT no equipment workout will be my workout for tomorrow.  Try it and let me know how you do!  I'll get back to you after I get mine in tomorrow morning!

HIIT NO EQUIPMENT WORKOUT

You can time your circuits with a Gym Boss or other timer, or you can count your reps, either will be fine.  Do each circuit 2x (beginner)-3x (advanced) through before moving on to the next circuit.
Go to my Workouts page for a photo of each exercise.  If you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email.

Circuit 1-
Pushups (modified on knees if needed)- 20
bicycle crunches- 30
jumping jacks- 30
Burpees- 20
*2-3 minute rest before starting next circuit

Circuit 2-
mountain climbers- 30
plank holds-30 seconds
reverse lunges- 10 each leg (alternate)
jump squats- 30
 *2-3 minute rest before starting next circuit

Circuit 3-
Ice skaters- 30
squats- 30
scissor abs- 20
toe tappers- 30
 *2-3 minute rest before starting next circuit

Well, I am off to get my back, shoulder and cardio workout in!  Time to sweat and get one day closer to my goals!

What are you doing for your workout today?  Are you working on your goals? 

Thanks for stopping by!  I'd love to hear from you!

 

Week 3-Workout week in review + Sweet Potato Cookie Recipe

Good Morning!  I woke up so sore this morning, and I don't know about you but I LOVE it!  I know that I worked hard and its a good reminder to keep my eating on track.  Do you love being sore?

So, I am at the end of week 3 and I am noticing a change in how strong I feel during my workouts, I did burpees twice this week and didn't want to pass out!  I see a burpee challenge coming soon!

Here is my week 3 in review-
Monday- Chest and arms circuits + treadmill intervals 2 mins at 3.5 mph, 1 min at 6.0 mph- repeated for 30 minutes. 
Tuesday- Jillian Michaels Kickboxing workout 20 minutes and treadmill intervals same as Monday's

Wednesday- I tried out a Baby Boot Camp class (day one of burpees).  You can read more about my experience here.  It was a great workout, and got me thinking about starting my own Stroller Fitness Class for mommies and their babies.

Thursday- Day off.  I had my second Bowenwork session.  Bowenwork is a kind of massage that works to correct muscle imbalances.

Friday- Legs with treadmill sprints circuits- This workout kicked my butt and I loved every minute of it!

Saturday- Jillian Michaels Extreme Shed & Shred (day two of burpees)- 30 minutes and Jillian Michaels Kickboing abs workout.  I was a sweaty mess, but felt so good after my workout!  You can't tell in the photo but I am dripping sweat and my hair is a mess...sign of a great workout!

Working on my fitness!

Saturday's sweat session burn!

My weekly totals! 5 hours and 20 minutes- 2,400 calories!

Sunday- REST

As far as my eating for the week, I started off really strong with meals and snacks prepared.  I had a cheat meal on Thursday night (pizza) and a few pieces of Dove Dark chocolate, until then I had no sugar.  I planned on making dinner Friday night, but my little one wasn't feeling well so I sat with her instead.  We ended up making Friday nights dinner on Saturday, grilled chicken and scallops and those yummy zucchini fries.  All in all I would say a good week.  I have learned not to beat myself up over a few slip ups, no guilt, and to move on with the next meal or snack as a fresh start.  You have to go with the flow, life isn't perfect and neither are we, so we have to do the best we can and know that it is enough.  No negative self talk here!

*You can get all my workouts here.  I will be posting my next 4 weeks soon, so come back for those!
How did your week go?  Did you get all your workouts in? 

Okay, on to the yummy stuff!  I was poking around on Pinterest, as I usually do, looking for healthy cookie recipes for my little one and happened upon these sweet potato cookies!  The recipe is from Kitchen Queen Eats Clean. 
I am going to make these soon and I will let you know how they are.  Let me know if you make them too!  I love trying new recipes...here it is:

 

Here is the recipe rundown-

You will need: baking pan, parchment paper, large bowl, food processor, medium pot, mixing spoon. 

Recipe adapted from : The Betty Rocker 
 
2 cups pureed sweet potato (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
1/2 cup oat flour (can be sub. w/ another kind of flour)
1/2 cup nut butter
2 eggs
3 T maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Spices:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp La Boite Yemen #10 (a blend of ginger, cinnamon, and clove- sub with 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp clove, and additional 1/4 tsp cinnamon)
1 tsp cacao powder
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Boil a medium pot of water. Peel and dice sweet potatoes, add to water. Cook till they can be easily forked. Once they are done add to the food processor and pulse till smooth. Let cool.

2. Mix dry ingredients- oat flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the nut butter with a fork or a pastry cutter if you have one. I ended up using my hands.

3. Add eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix in sweet potato and then chocolate chips.

4. Scoop onto parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet- I used a mini ice cream scooper. Then press down with a fork.

5. Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Please feel free to share your week in review, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by!