Oh yes, drizzly Monday around here!  Even though it is the 2nd day of my work week, Monday still has the same feel.  Interesting, no?

Grabbed one of my protein cookies and headed out to the gym.  2 nice older women were there who just joined.  The Curves down the road closed and they needed a new place to go.  It was nice to have someone there when I got there!

Warmed up on the treadmill, then hit the iron:

• Chin ups:  3 sets of 2
• Barbell deadlifts:  3 sets of 6 at 95#
• Barbell chest press:  3 sets of 8 at 55#

Superset:

• Cable squat to row: 3 sets of 10 at 60#
• Face pulls:  3 sets of 8 at 30#

Superset:

• Planks:  3 sets of 90 second holds
• Alternating side lunges:  10 each leg, 3 sets.

Superset:

• Triceps pull down:  3 sets of 10 at 30#
• Dumbbell shoulder shrugs:  3 sets of 8 with 20# DBs

Then I did about 15 minutes of HIIT on the stationary bike.  I was going to do 20, but I was just too pooped.  Deadlifts always tire me out.

I have been dying to try the maple cream on oatmeal for breakfast, and today was the day!  I made custard oats, only I didn’t use any banana like I normally do, since the maple would be the sweetener.  Topped with a tablespoon of maple cream and a tablespoon of Naturally Nutty.

😯 😯  It was pretty amazing.  I could eat the maple cream by the spoonful.  It is similar to creamed honey, only it tastes like maple!  It got all melty, too.

Work teleconference today.  Love those…..  At least they pay us admin time for it.  I am beginning to have some concerns about the longevity of this company….

Lunch break!

Exciting tuna salad and crackers!  Subbed out broccoli for lunch instead of dinner, because I need some excitement in my life.

So the konjac powder.  I bought it online here.  It is also called glucomannan powder.  I think it is actually a yam of some sort.  The root is dried and ground.  It has 10 times the thickening power of cornstarch.  Like cornstarch, you have to mix it with cold liquid before adding it to hot or you get chewy clumps (learned from first hand experience here).   It has no taste.  I am thinking of just mixing some with water and keeping the gel in the fridge so I remember to use it.  It’s a great way to add fiber to something with no calories.  This is also the basis for shirataki noodles.  I don’t know exactly what they do to the powder to make the noodles, but it is the reason why they are so low in calories.  I might order some of these to try, since they are not in any stores that I can find in the north country.  I am also a wee bit nervous because they describe them as gelatinous and translucent with no flavor.  Those are not descriptives that usually end up on my menu by choice.

Latte and cookie snack:

I see the scrape on my thumb is visible here, sorry about that.  I scarfed said snacks down because I had to take Mz. Grumpy for her shots:

She is actually very good at the vets – they love her there.

Been doing good keeping up the veggies!  I roasted up sweet potato slices for dinner in the toaster oven.  With some BBQ chicken:

I used some of Chef Hymie’s BBQ sauce.  The medium has some kick to it!

Had to do more work after dinner.  Mondays usually are like this, too.  Stopped for a protein snack of pudding and granola!

Squeezing the last bit of daylight out for this photo 🙂

Tomorrow is the maple syrup giveaway!  It will be open to the whole world, too 😀

Question:  Have you tried shirataki noodles?