Starting off the post with dessert! I did the banana soft serve last night. I think this started on Choosing Raw? Anyway, I put 2 frozen bananas in the food processor. One was more ripe than the other, as you can see.
It did make a difference. Dumped some cinnamon in there as well. Turned on the processor and let run. I had to push down the more ripe banana a few times, and it was a little icier. Mental note to self on that.
Lookie what came out!
Creamy and fluffy. I served John his with chocolate syrup. Mine had a tsp of peanut butter on top.
Verdict? Quite good, although I could see getting tired of banana flavor pretty quickly. Certainly won’t put a stop to my Only 8 obsession. I have some egg white protein powder on order from True Protein, so I am going to try this next week with protein powder in it for power ice cream!
The heat finally broke last night with thunderstorms. Really loud, too. I woke up to a huge crack that got my heart pounding. Don’t you hate that? Feels good today, though. I, however, do not. I am very physically tired. I think I should have given myself 1 more day of rest after the 60-mile bike ride. I had Sunday off, but then did my usual schedule during the week. That and the heat tapped me out, and my thighs are sore (unusual), so I am taking a rest day today, even though I really want to ride in this nice weather. Rest days are super important, especially if your body is telling you it needs one.
That meant an early breakfast:
Oh yeah! This is an easy no sugar breakfast for me since I have it this way all the time. Can’t go wrong with protein waffles and blueberries 
Pixie is airing out after all that heat. Look at that tummy!
Lunch time came and I decided on a shake for something different. Because I feel so tired, I decided to up the protein today for repair. Into the bullet blender went 1/4 cup of plain greek yogurt (all we had), 1/2 cup pumpkin, 1 scoop strawberry protein powder, cinnamon, ice and a little water. I was going to mix in some PB, but I ended up just licking it out of the spoon instead of blending it in and having it get lost.
Tasted pretty good, surprisingly. I didn’t think the strawberry would mix, but it did pretty well.
I drained the juice from the mandarin orange slices as well. One thing I am really missing lately is crispy crunch. Whether that is crunch from granola or crackers, I miss it. I cannot replace that with nuts, or I will go overboard. I’ll be glad when tomorrow gets here and my experiment is ovah.
Latte snack and then some cheese (not eaten together).
Glad to see so many of you do the plank! It is funny how it looks so easy and yet turns out to be so hard. I actually have to say that I felt a little more self-conscious than usual posting that picture. I am feeling kind of chubby right now. You know how that feeling comes and goes for all of us. I am not a fitness model, but I think it is important to *me* to post photos of myself walking the talk (planking the plank??) and to help keep me motivated. I said this before, but it also really helps to see what you look like when you are doing these moves. I have never seen myself do a plank because there is no floor level mirror at the gym (that I can do the plank near anyway), so I really had no idea of what I looked like. I have taken some shots/videos of myself with other moves and really see how I need to work on my form or slow down (probably my biggest issue). It’s been very helpful. Mirrors are good to look in when working out, but also a 3rd person shot where you aren’t looking at yourself, so to speak, gives a whole new perspective.
Dinna time!
That red pear was amazing tonight, too. Sometimes they are just extra good and I wish there was a way you could see it from the outside.
I took a nice 2-mile walk tonight in this now gorgeous weather! Then it was time for evening snack. I made it look pretty. This is my faux cheesecake mix of ricotta, strawberry protein powder, cinnamon, and a little water.
The strawberries really make this dish. Protein success today. I had a whopping 139 grams today! A little heavier on the protein powder than normal for me, but that’s okay. Eat up muscles! 🙂
Question: Are you good about rest days?
Somehow, I don’t think I need to post about my rest days…because everyone knows I stink at them. 😉
(And I don’t know why, but the auto update thingie isn’t right…I just posted!)
.-= Destination:Athlete´s last blog ..mental Monday =-.
NO! I am bad at rest days. I make myself take 2 a week but I get cranky and lethargic on those days. And I usually end up going for long walks anyways…
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Dinner and Lost Finale =-.
I’m AWFUL at taking rest days. I really need to start doing it.
I went for a 45 min bike ride today heehee…
.-= April´s last blog ..Did you know? =-.
I like a little nutmeg with banana. I would definitely make that dessert. I think I’ll go make it now as a matter of fact!
Well I take a lot of them but I feel guilty about it. That can’t be good … the guilt.
Now THAT’s a belly to love!
.-= Fitcetera´s last blog ..help … I eat too much =-.
Rest days are a goooood thing! You are listening to your body … I took three off in a row last week and I always come back stronger (and sometimes even leaner).
We need warm weather here! I am in the Bay Area and it was 62 and raining today – unheard of!
so love the soft serve-love that you put cinnamon in it! also i got tortured with the plank today too and thought of you!
.-= kalli@fitandfortysomething´s last blog ..Continue the Feelings =-.
I so agree about the rest days if you need it. I’m feeling a little achey after my fall and decided to opt of of my weight training tonight. Smart to listen to your body.
.-= Tish´s last blog ..25 Minutes–News Flash =-.
I’m good at rest days. Although “rest day” is kind of a misnomer, because mine are usually on the weekends, when I’m not sitting at a desk all day. They end up being more “active rest” days. 😉
Hmmm…pumpkin in a smoothie? That sounds pretty good! And I love your banana soft serve! Makes me wish we had a food processor. Reminds me of the place in Kauai that makes “frosties” with frozen pineapple and bananas; so tasty!
.-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..Sad News Today =-.
I am so in love with banana soft serve! I like your addition of cinnamon, too.
Surprisingly, I’m really doing okay with the no sugar experiment! I’ve been avoiding flour, too and so far so good. Memorial Day picnics are coming up this weekend, though… I be scared 😐
.-= Marisa (Loser for Life)´s last blog ..Fun With Fruit =-.
Lori, I really wish I had commented yesterday on how fantastic YOU looked. Yes, your form looked great, but I really thought YOU looked fab-u-lous!!!
And the great thing about comments—love pubsgal’s idea about adding in the pineapple.
I have no problem taking rest days.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Everything Takes Time =-.
Planking the plank gave me the giggles! 🙂
I was trying to see myself in the mirror while doing my planks on Wednesday, but they don’t go down low enough. It would be interesting to see my form – I’m always surprised when I see a picture of me doing something in the gym – usually I can see where I need improvement. And Debby is right – you looked great in that picture – very fit and strong!
I get mandatory rest days because of my work schedule, and it’s probably good, because I’m not sure I would let myself not workout if I weren’t working on those days.
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..A Little Bragging… =-.
I am great with the rest days…it is the exercise days I need to get cracking on! 🙂
Looks like some really good eats today.
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..Immured =-.
Ohh I looooove banana softserve. My boyfriend (who is a chef!) knew it was “banana” flavored but kept asking me what else I put in there! Ha!
.-= Beth @ Beth’s Journey to Thin´s last blog ..Picnic! =-.
My husband asked me the same thing. He said “There’s just banana in here?” LOL
I do try to take some rest days 🙂 Sometimes too many.
Can i ask how you make the protein pancakes??
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Don’t forget 🙂 =-.
Recipe is here : http://findingradiance.com/recipes/breakfast/protein-pancakes/
I’m religious about rest days! If I don’t take them, my body just quits. Also, my best workouts seem to be after a rest day.
I wouldn’t have thought the strawberries and pumpkin would pair either. You just never know….
.-= cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..A Hungry Girl Meets THE Hungry Girl (Giveaway) =-.
I may be too good about the rest days.
in that I know my life now is really active—so the minute my bod says TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORKING OUT!! I do.
I know when the child is in kindergarten and Im more, uh, Sedentary McGee I may need to kick it all up a NOTCH and be a little less kind to my body 🙂
.-= Miz´s last blog ..Raising a child (or spousepartnerfriend) who likes to exercise. =-.
I’m quite good at rest days! Haha. I usually try to go for a walk like you did, as I get really stiff when I sit on my butt all day like I’m usually inclined to do 😉
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Perfect Plank =-.
Thanks for linking to your protein powders, Lori! You remembered my question! I definitely want to check these out. Hope you have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.
What kind of processor do you have? I like the size of it
I am terrible about rest days! I hate the thought of being sedentary
Katherine
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..Jack =-.
It’s a mini black and decker one. I think it holds 2 or 4 cups? Pretty small, but really good for nut butter and this soft serve.
I need to try that banana soft serve, I keep seeing it all over everyone’s blogs!
.-= Ali @ Redhead Reports´s last blog ..Amazing Asian Food =-.
Yahoo for another Pixie pic! If only we all could relax that easily! 🙂
All that food looks so good Lori! Thx for the recipes & details on it as I am bad about figuring these things out when it comes to food.
I wish I could take more pics of me for my readers but I don’t have the capability & my gym does not allow it so the few pics in my gym are me sneaking them! 🙂 I agree though with checking out the form. If I go in the aerobics room, I can see me at floor level BUT in the area I like to do those types of things, a while back, they carpeted the bottom part of the wall so we can’t see our form when do planks or core or ab stuff! What is with that! I guess the people that work there don’t work out or they would know not to do that! 🙂 At least when I do the BOSU/stability plank move I mentioned yesterday, I can see myself as I am up a bit higher! 🙂
I take 2 rest days a week or 1 may just be stretching/core but nothing crazy. I learned from my youth when I did not take rest days!!!
Have a great weekend Lori!!!!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Holiday Diet /Fitness Help; Lettuce Recall =-.
I just tried banana soft serve for the first time a few days ago and I’m in love it is a wonderful treat…not to mention healthy!! LOVE THE FOOD!
.-= Nora@LifeLifeEatRight´s last blog ..Beer, Wine and Everything is Fine =-.
Rest days are hard for me too. I should put some of my bananas in the freezer and finally try that soft serve! Think it would work in a blender or do I need a FP?