Rambling Babushka: Xantham Gum

Hi everyone. I hope you're all enjoying Saturday. I know I am! I've done so much today! I set my alarm so I could wake up early and get a head start on everything. I know this seems crazy on a Saturday but sometimes I feel like I'm sleeping precious hours away. I stumbled downstairs and immediately brewed a delicious cup of hazelnut flavored espresso. I swear coffee tastes even more delicious since I cut back to one cup a day. Mmmm!

BREAKFAST (meal #1)

I was going to have something different this morning but all my body wanted was the usual. I caved into my oatmeal addition and made a delicious bowl of goodness.

1/2 old fashioned oats
1 tbs ground flax seed
1/4 cup wheat bran
1 cup vanilla almond breeze
1/2 cup water
cinnamon
pumpkin pie spice
PB2

I topped this steamy sexy bowl with a dash more cinnamon and dove in.

Oh my! SO GOOD! I ate it out of my new glass bowl. Awe snap! I like it but it got a bit too hot to handle (just like me, HA) after about 20 seconds. I improvised and wrapped it in the blanket that I was also curled up in. It worked beautifully. Like a warm oatmeal cocoon.

After breakfast I tossed a load of laundry in and changed for the gym. It was still nice and early and I was excited about getting it done and having the rest of the day to relax.

WORKOUT

Seated Leg Curl (cable)

90lb x 15

80lb x 15

Leg Extensions (cable)

90lb x 15

80lb x 15

Leg Press (plate loaded)

200lb x 15

Hack Squat (plate loaded)

40lb x 15

Squats

x20

Plié Squats (plate loaded)

x15

Stiff Leg Deadlifts

45lb x 15

Elliptical - Interval Training - 30 minutes

Resistance 6-8

2.52 miles

364 calories burned

My legs were like JELLO today. I was going to up the resistance but my wobbly legs were screaming NOOOOO so I stuck with 6-8. I called it quits after about 30 minutes. WHEW! This was a good one!

After the gym I ran to the pharmacy and the bank. I was getting things done and it felt great. It wasn't even 11 yet and I was already done with most of my errands. YEAH! By the time I got home I was starving!

SNACK (meal #2)

I made a delicious, thick and creamy protein shake.

1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
1 small banana
1/2 cup frozen berry mix
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
handful of ice cubes
1/4 tsp xantham gum
1/4 tsp guar gum

This was my first time using both gums together and it made the shake super thick and creamy. I swear it was almost like pudding. I know that sounds sort of weird but I liked it. I can easily see how adding more ice can magically turn a smoothie into "ice cream" and I can't wait to try that next.

After my smoothie-pudding I took care of the laundry, ran the dishwasher and took a nice long bath. All before 1:00 might I add. I was loving this long and productive day! I was enjoying it so much that I decided to get dressed and get my grocery shopping out of the way today as well. WHY NOT? I spent a fortune people! SIGH!

LUNCH (meal #3)

I'm addicted, what can I say. I give you the always delectable and delicious breakfast concoction. Also known as my new obsession. HEY, at least I put it in a pita instead of a FlatOut wrap this time. It's a TAD different right? :)

4 egg whites seasoned with salt & pepper
Trader Joe's cilantro and jalapeno hummus
Sriracha sauce
Baby spinach leaves

All of this was stuffed into a whole wheat & flax pita. Accompaniments included english cucumbers, baby carrots and a cup of green tea. Simple, clean and delicious. Like the new plate? 79 cents at Le Target Baby! YEAH!

After lunch Nick and I decided to go catch a matinee movie. We watched The Book Of Eli. I liked it. Actually we both liked it. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just leave it at that. You should check it out. ;)

By the time we got home it was nearing dinner time and we were both HUNGRY! We needed something quick and we needed it NOW!

DINNER (meal #4)

Nick decided he wanted pirogues with smoked sausage. Nothing else would do. While he prepped his MUST HAVE dinner I started on mine.

I kept it sweet and simple and tossed the leftover chicken breast and sauteed veggies from dinner the other night onto a bed of spinach and added cherry tomatoes. Yep, dinner was served in less than 5 minutes.