Friday Finds

Good Morning and Happy Saturday!

I am 100% relieved to be through this work week. This week was super tough for me, our service was very busy and each day I couldn’t wait to get the heck out of there! On Thursday my afternoon quickly turned to poo and I had zero motivation for the gym, but I dressed anyway. As I was walking out I ran into someone I haven’t seen since college and she told me that she loves my blog. I don’t think she knew it, but it made my bad day turn into a good one. It’s always nice to hear when people say nice things about this little blog of mine! So thank you girlfriend! 🙂

Once I made it to my car my weekend face was on!

I did go to the gym, and I looked tired and run down. An hour was all I could do. Sleep didn’t happen much this work week and my body suffered.

Dinner also suffered. It was on of those “What’s left in the fridge? well it’s going in tupperware and I’m calling it dinner”

It tasted pretty good though! This is leftover spaghetti squash, shrimp, bean sprouts, and sugar snap peas. The sauce was low sodium hoisin sauce with 1 teaspoon of sweet chili sauce and a splash of sesame seed oil. Dinner does not have to be a big ordeal. I’m all about throwing things together in minutes when I’m tired.

Friday was MUCH better because I slept in and I made it to 2 grocery stores! I often do this because I need my special items from the organic market, then my bulk items from BJs. When I went to the organic market I found a few wonderful items I call Friday Finds.

Healthy cart #1

This is an awesome seasoning with flax seed in it! It also has garlic, cumin, onion, basil, and a few other spices. I picked it up and purchased without even looking at the price. I do this too frequently. When I got home and looked at the receipt it was $6.79! HOLY MOLY! I better treasure this stuff.

These I am super curious to try! Has anyone had them before? They are supposed to be a substitute for a tortilla wrap, made out of coconut.

My favorite nut butter. The hazelnut and brazil nuts in this spread makes it!

These sauces. All 0-5 calories, low in sodium, and less than a gram of carbs. The middle one is so delicious, it’s like a guilt-free sweet and sour sauce.

This sure was a find, but not a good one. Who wants to get their nails done here? NOT ME! I did have a laugh though.

Grocery store number 2 was my bulk items. When I left the police man at the door said “oh my this is the healthiest cart I have ever seen. I would be so proud of myself”. It made me chuckle.

Healthy cart #2

I found some great new tupperware items too.

They come with ice packs that snap into the lids. Very convenient.

In the afternoon I hit the gym and made it a leg day.

Shameless self promotion…

I did 30 minutes of cardio on the step mill (one 20 minute session and one 10 minute session). For those of you who want my workout, here it is! (things in bold are heart rate boosters)

• Seated Calf raises with plates, pyramid weight style. 12 reps for 4 sets and increasing the weight each set. 25 lbs, 30 lbs, 35 lbs, 45 lbs.
• Standing hamstring curls, 35 lbs, 12 reps x 3 sets each leg
• Walking lunges with 40 lb bar, 10 in each direction, then 10 deep squats with the bar, then 10 walking lunges back. 3 sets of these.
• Box step ups with 12.5 lb weights. 10 reps x 4 sets each side
• Glute leg raises holding 12.5 lb weights, 10 reps x 4 sets each leg
• Wall sit for 35 seconds then TRX booty pikes for 10 reps. I did this 4 times without any breaks. KILLS! 
• TRX deep squats on heels x 12 reps, then a deep squat with a double pulse at the bottom x 6 reps. I did this 4 times.

I also did some ab work.

This little thing is the devil. You guys know these, the old school roll out. Basically you are on your knees, abs in tight, hands on the bar and you roll out as far as you can and back in. I was able to make it to 23 until my body collapsed on the mat. They are incredibly tough. I also tried a couple on my side, rolling out with one arm.

Other ab exercises:

• Stability ball oblique crunches. 12 reps x 2 sets
• Stability ball pulses, 8 reps x 2 sets
• Stability ball knee tucks, 10 reps x 3 sets
• Stability ball plank for 30 seconds

I worked my body hard and legs are coming along nicely 🙂

Back at home I put some of that healthy food to good use and made a veggie tray for a couple days worth.

And don’t forget egg whites! Think I have enough?

Eggs for days for my legs for days 😀

And Phoebs chilled on the couch while I made all this!

Today I have a busy Saturday ahead of me. I’ll be back soon 🙂

XOXO With a Cherry On Top,

-Minnie