Random Thursday Things and Some Kickin’ Iced Tea

So, um, yeah.

This post is going to be a bit random because we all were awake at this time this morning.

Not by choice. This was going on in the next room.

Along with screaming “I want to go night night in Mommy’s and Daddy’s bed” for over an hour. Yes, over an hour.

It was so fun. Don’t be jealous.

Don’t be jealous of my home decorating skills either.

Totally don’t know what that’s doing on the toilet, but it’s a nice touch don’t you think? I also think I should really stop showing you bathroom pictures. Ha.

Yesterday’s workout was a treadmill run. I have grown to love the treadmill. I used to hate it. Ten minutes used to feel like hours. Now I actually look forward to my time on there. I refer to it as my “me time”.

Here’s some tricks I like to play on the treadmill.

See how far you can run in a specific amount of time. I do this unintentionally almost every time I go to the gym because I get there late and have to fit in as much as I can before the play care closes. It helps though.

Plan your run during a show you really want to watch or only let yourself watch a particular movie if you’re on the treadmill. That works for me every time. If I start a movie, I want to finish the next day so I look forward to my run.

Do this 30 minute easy interval workout. Try to increase your speed intervals each time. This was my go to workout when the boys were really young. My time was limited so this one was a regular weekly workout.

I realized I never really did a full recap of the IDEA Health and Fitness Expo that I went to last month. I’ve just been mentioning it here and there, but besides taking the Ultimate Sandbag challenge and buying a new outfit, I discovered a few things there that are pretty cool.

This RooSport magnetic pocket.

I haven’t run in it yet (I’ve just tried it on while in my pajamas), but I like the idea of it just hooking on your shorts or pants. It’s so annoying when you don’t have a pocket for your keys or whatever. It’s even big enough to hold your phone. I’m going to have to put it to the test this weekend.

I also get questions a lot about where I get my music for my classes I teach. I order it from Yes Fitness Music the majority of the time. They were at the expo also so I got a few new CDs. Here’s just a peak at the music I’m currently using in my classes.

How did Flat Kitty get in there? Weird.

Since Nuun is pretty much at every expo I go to, I stocked up on my two favorite Nuun flavors while I was there too. They always have special deals.

There was also a CocoaVia booth there and I stocked up on samples of course (because that’s what I do) and I’ve been using their packets in my low calorie ice cream and my drinks lately.

I like the unsweetened chocolate one in my ice cream.

and the summer citrus one in my drinks.

Yesterday my afternoon drink was this little combination as an iced tea.

I also added a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

I’ve been adding apple cider vinegar to a lot these days. It’s usually in my salad dressings (ACVM dressing , Yum Hum dressing, berry hot dressing), but has evolved into my drinks. My new obsession with it is all thanks to Sarena and Laura. Thanks a lot ladies.

Here’s my drink of the week. There are so many healthy things in here I get excited just thinking about it.

Kickin’ It Summer Citrus Tea

1-2 packets Good Earth Tea Original Sweet and Spicy Tea (regular or decaf)

1/2 Nuun lemon tea tablet (optional)

1 packet CocoaVia summer citrus

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

I microwave the tea with about 1/4- 1/2 cup water and let it brew for a bit. I combine everything else in a glass of ice water and then add the brewed tea last.

This drink has the antioxidants from the tea, the electrolytes from the Nuun, all the benefits from the Cocoa Flavanols and the benefits from apple cider vinegar. Not to mention a little caffeine boost which is always a welcome thing around here these days. Ha ha.

Here’s a couple of links with some information. I’m too lazy to write them out.

Benefits of cocoa flavanols

Benefits of apple cider vinegar

I could use one of these right now actually.

I could also really use a new Flat Kitty picture for my cool cup. That missing ear is starting to bug me.

And… here’s just a couple of random eats from yesterday (since I took pictures and all).

chicken wrap with Trader Joe’s rotisserie chicken, romaine and this Ebesse Zozo hot sauce from Jenny

STUFT Protein Crispy Treat with a little SunButter 

microwave popcorn with some butter spray, cinnamon and a Splenda packet

cherries

a whole big mess of roasted vegetables- non dairy kale chips, zucchini noodles, broccoli slaw and some more of those shaved brussel sprouts

topped with this Trader Joe’s spaghetti sauce with mushrooms

and just a little crushed red pepper and some more nutritional yeast

I also had a monster of a dessert with this new little cakey donut thing I made (yes, again)

complete with low calorie almond coconut ice cream, frozen two ingredient chocolate frosting and a little PB Crave.

Recipe coming soon. I’m still taste testing.

Okay, I’m off.

I’m already tired, sleep deprived and craving some serious carbs. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day. Oh man.

Two important things:

Thing One

I designed these shoes last night on the Reebok website. I’m not sure if I should switch up the colors or not. The green on the side might be a little much. What do you think?

Oh yes, it does say STUFT mama on the side. Ha ha.

And…….. stay tuned because coming up I have a review of some new clothes and someone might win a chance to design his or her own shoes. Hint hint.

Thing Two

Let’s do a Flatterday Flat Kitty roast soon, yes? Wouldn’t that be awesome? Take a picture of Flat Kitty by something you roasted (marshmallows, veggies, whatever…….). Totally just an idea since I’m pretty much a roasting machine over here, but thought it might be fun. Email me pictures if you want in (with or without links and recipes) or email me if you want me to send you a Flat Kitty to play with.

kristin@stuftfitness.com

Weee…..

Okay, have a great day everyone!!!!