Since I didn’t lift yesterday, I went to the gym today.  I am starting to recognize the regulars there.  They are always doing the same stuff!  It was nice when I first got there, I had the place all to myself.  That only lasted for about 15 minutes, but it was fun while it lasted 😀

New lifting gloves:

About $15.  I like them – the padding isn’t too thick, but it is sturdy enough so that gripping the weights is comfortable.  Hopefully these will hold up better than my others!

Did a misc routine today as I have finished this stage of NROLW:

• Romanian deadlift with upright row (my favorite!)
• Dumbbell squats
• Incline chest fly
• Seated lat row
• Horizontal wood chop
• Planks
• Arnold press
• Then treadmill walking

Came back and made delicious protein pancakes!  I have found that adding in 1/4 tsp of baking powder makes them nice and fluffy.  And if you add protein powder, it should be brown rice or soy powder.  The whey protein makes the pancakes tough, in my experience.

In response to some coconut water questions, here is some more info about it.

Many people confuse coconut water with coconut milk.  They are really very different.  Coconut water is the juice from young, green coconuts and is pretty much clear.  It has a very light coconut taste and almost sweet, but not quite.  It tastes kind of like water with some coconut extract in it.  I think if you drink sports drinks, it will likely taste very bland to you. I actually like the flavor.  I got some with Mango extract in it and it was quite tasty.  I purchase it in the natural foods aisle at Hannaford stores.  I am not sure if megamarts carry it or not.  You can check where nutritional supplements are sold, because it might be there.

Unlike coconut milk, coconut water has no fat.  It has more potassium than a banana (670 mg per 8 oz),which is why it is great post workout!  It also has magnesium, calcium and phosphorous.  The only thing it is missing is more sodium (for a complete electrolyte drink).  The calories are very similar to Gatorade – about 60 for 8 ounces.

Compare to Gatorade:

Coconut water ingredients:  Coconut water (fruit extract, if used), ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Gatorade: water, sugar, table salt, carbohydrates, electrolytes (110 mg sodium, 30 mg potassium, 93 mg chloride), high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, glucose, fructose, and sugar. Then there is the kind with the sucralose.

I really only use this to supplement long exercise sessions.  If I run for over an hour, I will have some.  Or a really long bike ride or brick.  Otherwise, I just fuel before the workout.  I am always amazed at the jolt I feel right after drinking it during the workout.  Guess that means my body needs it.  Too bad races can’t get sponsored by a coconut water company instead of Gatorade!

John and I went to visit Pixie at the vet’s today.  She was the only animal in the kennel area.  She started meowing right away when she saw us.  She was still a little groggy, as they have her on pain meds.  3 of her feet are all tightly wrapped up.  They looked so small!  Of course, that was just because of the compression.  She was purring and seemed fine.  The staff said she was getting a lot of loving and was being very friendly with them.  Wish my new doctor was like the staff at the vet!  She’ll be coming home tomorrow.

Made the quickest and easiest mac and cheese ever for dinner!  It took 3 ingredients:

While the pasta cooked, I pan sauteed the broccoli.  Then I added 1 wedge of laughing cow to a bowl, topped with the broccoli and the drained pasta and mixed well:

Perfection.  I rarely eat pasta as you don’t get much for the calorie buck and I am more of a bulk eater, but this was definitely yummy!

Question:  Do you drink any sports drink?  Which one do you like?