what i ate [pre] workout

Posted: October 12, 2011 | Author: char on a mission | Filed under: food, WIAW, workout | Tags: brownies, cupcakes, fro yo, fruit, larabar, oatmeal, pancakes, peanut butter, pre-workout fuel, toast | 5 Comments

Since I’m horrible at the whole ‘What I Ate Wednesday‘ biznaaasss, I thought I’d give it another try, buuuuut a little altered.

I can honestly say that in the last few weeks I have not taken a full day’s worth of ‘what I eat’ pictures. Shame. On. Me.

I’ve maybe taken the odd picture here and there – but never what I fully eat in a day. So instead (inspired by my run this morning), I decided to do a WIAW on my pre-workout (ie: pre-run) foods for fuel. But, first, a little link up love:

Thanks Jen, for being the rockstar behind this idea!

Here are just a few samples of what I would typically eat before heading out for a run (long or short – doesn’t usually change):

Larabars

I use this as my first example because this is exactly what I did choose to eat before my run this morning. Notice the flavour?? Which is, by the way, delicious!

I ate half of it before and then half after. I’m honestly surprised that I had the resistance to not eat the whole thing before heading out. That’s dedication people!

Toast

I like to do mine up with some organic natural PB and organic raspberry jam (which totally trumps strawberry, in my opinion). Sometimes it’s just the one piece, other times, it’s two (note: this is a recycled picture).

I always get the same peanut butter, and I love it because it’s so ‘sticky’ in your mouth. I know this isn’t ideal for eating before running (take my half marathon, for example), but with a little water and even the jam on it, it definitely helps. Plus, it keeps you full!

Oatmeal

Honestly, you knew this one was coming. It’s a great pre-run fuel and tastes friggen delicious. Some of the toppers/mix-ins I usually go for:

PB
unsweetened shredded coconut
jam
ground flax
chia seeds
a lil chocolate (never hurt anyone)
banana
berries and/or other fruit
maple syrup
pumpkin puree
cinnamon
vanilla
nutmeg
vanilla protein powder
and the list goes on and on!

Pancakes

I have been in love with pancakes lately. I swear I eat them every week, sometimes even twice a week. This was a hard to admit and now you all know how much of a carb overloader I am at breakfast. I’ll just go cry myself a maple syrup river onto these pancakes #thankyouverymuch.

Fruit

If I’m not overly hungry when I wake up (which let me tell ya, hasn’t been a lot recently), then I’ll just snack on some natural sugar/fiber sources and get out there!

Fruit with nut butters

Can you see the reoccurring theme of peanut butter here people? Somebody enter me in an intervention…asap.

And there you have it; my pre-workout fuel sources. Before I sum up though, just for fun, I’d just like to show you the things I wish I was eating before (during and after) running – or typically what I would blend into one big post-run feast (if my stomach and waistline could handle it).

Chocolate chunk cookies. Angela has me addicted!

Dairy-free chocolate cupcakes from Whole Foods? I think so!

A little fro yo.

BROWNIES!!

And yes, pancakes again. You’re seeing this right. Twice a week, people, twice a week…(but these I would actually eat post-run and pre-run…oh dear me. I’ve revealed too much!)

Q: What was your fav WIAW moment this week?!

spring cleaning

Posted: April 26, 2011 | Author: char on a mission | Filed under: food, smoothies, work | Tags: chemistry, cupcakes, fruit, smoothie, spring cleaning | 5 Comments

After eating meal upon meal this past weekend, I decided that my body needed a spring cleaning. Although, it’s hard to resist the mini eggs and anything chocolate (basically), I did my best and well…kinda succeeded. Breakfast started out with some fruit and water, since I needed it back in my life! I think my body knew it was time for some spring cleaning, because I wasn’t very hungry to start.

Later, I found it best to have a green smoothie; I mixed frozen berries, kefir, flax oil, milk, vanilla protein powder and 2 handfuls of spinach up in the magic bullet and enjoyed. It’s definitely what my body needed after eating all that food that weighs you down.

I was a little devious in the afternoon and did have some jellybeans (oops!), but in all honesty, the studying made me do it! I was trying to cram in as much chem as I could yesterday. My goal was to have all my units completed by Sunday, which didn’t work out so well with this weekend being Easter and all. I only had two units left to do, so thankfully, I got through one and a half, and am finishing the last part up today!

Side note: I forgot to include the Easter cupcakes my sister and I made and I have to show you…well, because they’re pretty!

easter cupcakes anyone?!

I even turned one into a flower in hopes that Mother Nature would get the hint to bring spring to Canada!

Studying consumed me yesterday, so I didn’t really prep anything for dinner. The hubby had leftover turkey, but I wasn’t feeling it. I opted for a big salad and a side of cauliflower with cheese sauce.

Because I’m trying to cut out meats, I really need some high protein alternatives…suggestions?!?

I work through dinner tonight, so, again, I won’t have anything planned, which bums me out because I love to cook. And I’m definitely back in my cooking slump :(.

I’ve continued the spring clean by snacking on some fruit again this morning.