Alright, you guys ready for this?
Not ONLY did I find the motivation to get my workout in last night, but I ALSO got myself up this morning for another one. Check me out!
Last night’s routine went a little something like this:
- 20 minutes interval walking (alternating 1-2 minutes @ 5.0 / 2 minutes @4.5mph)
- 20 minutes 10lb. Slimdown Total Body DVD
This morning, I did a slightly shortened version of the 45 minute treadmill walk, finishing in about 35 minutes, and I feel GREAT. I completed four days of workouts this week (rest day Wednesday), which was my original goal, so I’m obviously super stoked. It just feels soooo good to finally feel like I’m getting back into a routine. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed it.
Also exciting, is the fact that my new workout DVD’s should be arriving today, so I’ll be able to switch up my routine a bit more. To be honest, I’ve kind of been cycling through the same three workouts the past couple of weeks and if I don’t switch it up son, things are going to get stale. I think it’s about time to print out some of the other walking treadmill workouts that I have posted, incorporate my new DVD’s, and go to town!
Last Night’s Dinner
Soooo, I know I told you guys I was probably going the “brinner” route for dinner last night, but once I was finished with my workout, I was suddenly craving something different.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a pin on Pinterest for some sort of chicken parm with avocado. I actually repinned it but didn’t include it in my latest Pinterest post because I didn’t think I’d get to it anytime soon. But the greatest thing about this meal was that I literally threw it together in less than 10 minutes…no recipe required.
I simply heated up a piece of frozen chicken (we usually have a bag on hand), then I topped it with some Grandpa Pete’s garlic sauce (basically like a bruschetta topping), almost half of an avocado, and some mozzarella cheese, and popped it under the broiler. Before I knew it, I had this incredible thing waiting for me.
And all I can say is, WOW. Adding the avocado on there absolutely made the dish, no doubt about it. And while my little can of beets with sprinkled with sea salt were certainly yummy, they didn’t hold a candle to that chicken. YUM!
After dinner, I ran out to take care of a quick errand, came back home, painted my nails, and we caught up on our DVR. While we were watching the season finale of American Horror Story (craziest show out there, if you ask me!), I decided to whip up a quick dessert.
See…I told you I’d have it again. ;) This creation, however, was slightly different from Wednesday night. This time, I mixed a vanilla Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp chocolate PB2 (already mixed with water, not the powder alone), chocolate chips, and a few crumbled TJ’s cat cookies.
THIS, my friends, was a perfect dessert. Fairly healthy (when you compare it to the ice cream I could have dug in to), the perfect amount of sweetness, combined with chocolate, peanut butter, and a little crunch.
I want one of these every day for the rest of my life.
As I finished up my dessert, my buddy came up to chill with me, and wound up leaving me stuck on the couch for another good hour.
Granted, I could have gotten up sooner…but he just looked so darn comfy.
And before that, he was literally curled up right on top of my (growing) belly, so I think he was trying to get some special bonding time with Baby Tooth. ;)
*****
This morning, it is Friday and I. Am. Pumped. So much so, that I’m treating myself to a Starbucks breakfast, which will look almost identical to what you see here…
Except I’m thinking that a decaf, nonfat caramel macchiato sounds a lot better than a decaf coffee.
Tonight, Jay and I have his work’s holiday kick off party which, if you remember from last year, is sure to be a great time. Only difference is I won’t be buzzed off wine and eating late night pizza.
Well, no promises on the pizza. ;)
Happy Fridayyyyy!!
My Neon Running Shoes says
4 days! You rock! That dinner looks amazing and so does that dessert! I always forget chocolate chips can be added to something healthy for a little extra punch ;-) Have a great Friday!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I’ve seen that avocado chicken parm too and have wanted to try making it! Yours looks delicious! Glad to hear that it tastes good. I need to try it! :) Your dessert looks yummy too. Definitely have to try it. Have fun at the party!
Madison says
That does look like a delicious dessert! I want to try that…especially with the cookie addition. :)
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Yum! We’re having that avocado mozzerella parmesan dinner tonight I think! Looks so yummy. Your photo makes me super excited for it. I definitely need to try that Greek yogurt cookie dough dessert. Yay for Friday! Have a good one Court! xoxo
Allison says
AHS was nuts!! What on earth is going to happen next season? That dessert looks phenomenal. And I do that with my cat too…I feel bad moving when she’s on me, and in turn it gives me an excuse to lay down a little while longer ;) Have fun at your party!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
Mmm – I love pickled beets! I haven’t had them in quite a while, though.
Don’tcha just hate when your pet won’t let you get off the couch? ;-) Shane and I use “Niko won’t let me get up, though!” when one of us has to get up to get something (usually dessert, lol)
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I’d never think of putting avocado with a chicken parmesan. That’s definitely different!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
You’re just on a roll, girl! Consistent workouts and awesome meals? Way to rock it! That dinner is seriously making me hungry… I had brinner last night, so with that craving knocked out of the way, I’m thinking I’m free to do some experimenting tonight.
Happy Friday!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
There must be something in the air today because I’m pretty pumped too! Happy Friday!!
Avery @ Southern Belle Living Well says
Why is it that chicken and avocado are always just so darn delicious together? ;) enjoy your Friday!
Sarah @PickyRunner says
You’re going to have so much fun! Have a great weekend :)
Good for you on nailing down 4 days of workouts! That’s great!
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
Ahhh that avocado chicken parm look insanely delicious!! I must make that! How come I’ve never though of PB2 in yogurt? Genius :D
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Well done on the workouts, when you set goals and meet them on a given week it really does feel awesome – also dessert looks delicious!
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says
Great job on the work outs this week! I agree with you, I seem to be much better at finding time when I set up a plan and a schedule! So far I have done three days this week, and am hoping to get in two more by Sunday! Enjoy your Friday! :)
Cassie @ RedLetterDaye says
All of your yogurt bowls/messes/desserts always look so delicious, but after years of greek yogurt, I developed an aversion to eating it. :/ Someday soon we will make amends. ;)
Lindsay says
Huge props for sticking to your workout this week! It’s a struggle to get up that early every day, and you made it happen! Starbucks’ caramel macchiato is my favorite drink on the menu! Iced or hot, I could take it either way. Happy Friday!!
Traci says
I treated myself to a Friday Starbucks, too, after completing one of your 30 minute treadmill workouts. I LOVE those workouts- it makes the time go by so much quicker and I feel like I’m actually challenging myself. Thanks so much AND congrats on getting back into a routine!!
Katie @ running4cupcakes says
avocado makes everything better, I totally agree! And Cody is so adorable in that picture. My puppy sometimes curls up like that – I wish we could do that too, because it just looks so nice!
Kathryn says
Thanks to issues with my son, and the holiday, I haven’t gotten to do my full workout this week. Our apartment complex has a workout room, with a treadmill, but it’s small and there’s nothing for a 4 year old to do. I was originally planning on doing an hour on the treadmill 3 days this week, but have only had the chance to do 2 sessions, and one of them had to be cut short at only 20 minutes. However, every day I’ve been going to this youtube channel, Fitness Blender, and doing the 8 minute ab workout. It’s perfect for someone like me, who hasn’t really worked out in a year. Today I’m going to see about some of their other channels. I’d like to work out today, but my son’s home from school, which means my workout has to be at home.
Silvia @ skinny jeans fod says
Cody with his excellent cat hearing probably has heard baby tooth’s heartbeat and tries to keep him/her warm and protected ;-)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I really need to try this cookie dough Greek yogurt creation! I have a vanilla Greek yogurt in the fridge ready to go!
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition says
UMMM chicken avocado parm?? YES PLEASE!!! avocado makes EVERYTHING better, in my opinion :) I am also very impressed by your morning work outs.. I’m not even pregnant and I can’t for the life of me wake up before work to work out, ha!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Yeaaaaah! Go girl!
Lauren says
Okay, this is the 3rd time I’ve seen this chicken parm recipe and now I think I need to make it! It looks fantastic and anything topped with avocado is something I’m all about.
PS- What do you think of the Dannon L&F Greek yogurt? I saw these on sale but just couldn’t bring myself to try them because I never had good experiences with Light and Fit before. Wondering if the Greek is any different.
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
I am finally falling back into a regular fitness routine too and it feels absolutely wonderful. For awhile I was way too busy with grad school + work, then the holidays, then I got the flu! Finally I’m 100% healthy again and it feels great to be hitting the gym regularly. I have a major craving right now for some PB + vanilla yogurt!
Rachel @ RMinNYC says
I mean, it is a fact that avocado makes everything better so it totally makes sense that it turned this chicken parm into awesome!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
Happy Friday!! Looks like your day is already off to an amazing start :) TGIF!
Nicole says
Four days in a row….woot woot!! That dessert looks sooo gooooood!
kim@hungryhealthygirl says
I already have dessert planned tonight! After seening the yogurt mix here and on lunchbox diaries…you guys have given me a major craving!
Jenna @ Crazy Healthy Fit says
Have fun tonight! That dessert looks amazing. Well, add chocolate chips to anything and it’ll look amazing to me :-)
Khushboo says
Avocado melts?? Must try stat- yuMm!
Melanie says
Nice job on the workouts! Your dinner looks AMAZING!
Sarah@makingthymeforhealth says
That dinner does look delicious. I love avocado and tomatoes together.
I love your yogurt toppings too. I always mix dark chocolate chips with chia in my vanilla yogurt but i haven’t tried pb2 and animal crackers! That sounds sooo good.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Avocado and parmesan sounds like an amazing combination. But, then again, I pretty much love avocado with just about anything! ;)
That dessert looks AMAZING! I absolutely love the Dannon Light ‘N Fit Greek vanilla yogurt. It seriously tastes like eating vanilla frosting. I always pair it with fresh berries, but I will definitely have to try the sweeter route with the PB and chocolate. There is no way that it cannot be good!
Chelsea @ Cardio and Cocktails says
Way to go with the workouts, I’m finally starting to get back in the groove too! It’s definitely opened my eyes back up to working out because I like it and it makes me happy rather than to see results on the scale. Yay for the 2nd trimester!
Kelsey@ kelseyruns says
I pinned that recipe too! I wasn’t sure about the avocado but it looks like it’s a winner, I’ll have to try it soon! Cody is just the cutest!
Danica @ It's Progression says
Congrats on the 4 days of workouts this week!! Getting back into a routine is always an awesome accomplishment.
Sara @ fitcupcaker says
I just bought the chocolate PB2 last night…I had it in my protein shake after the gym today and it was great..I cant wait to try some new desserts (healthy ones) at that!
Also how do you get the comment luv at the bottom of your blog?
Courtney says
It’s a plugin! Just search for comment luv, I believe!
Lauren says
Eee! Pregnancy DVDs. So exciting :-) I love getting any new workout DVDs just to try something new. Things DO get stale really fast.
Your greek yogurt snack looks really yummy. Mayyyy need to try this! Except Snackimals in place of cat cookies!
Ashlee says
Holiday kick of in January!? I remember you posting about that last year…sounds like a fun time!!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Nice job on all the workouts!!
That dessert sounds like awesomeness…. I love yogurt & choc chips together.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul says
I’ve never tried those snacks/meals at starbucks, only the protein tray with fruit. :) And I hope you guys have so much fun at the party!!!
Danielle @ Truffles n' Treadmills says
Have you tried the starbucks spiced vanilla latte yet?! So gooood
Colleen says
YAY! Great job on the workouts. And that chicken looks amazing. Me and avocado have become BFF’s since getting pregnant! Add cheese and chicken to the mix and I’m in heaven!
Katie @ Skinny Minnie Moves says
happy friday to u too! I am so glad its the weekend. yogurt looks yum!
Bek @ Crave says
Awesome post! Good job on the workouts and that ‘healthy’ dessert is defs my kind of thing- love crushing up a bikkie with some chocolate and banana in yogurt. THE best. :)
Have fun at the party- don’t get too loose ;)
Oh and the avo parmy looks so good! Must try :)
ashley@cupcakesncrunches says
Way to go for getting in 4 solid workouts!
That dessert looks delicious. I just realized, I consumed ice-cream every night this week…I’m not sure if that makes this an awesome week or a really bad week? haha
Brittany says
Your dessert looks delicious! Great job on the workouts!
Alicia @ NeverEverBeenSkinny says
That chicken looks so good! It is now on my list of things to try! Happy Friday hope you have a great weekend!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
That dessert looks delicious! I may need to try that one!
Brittany @ DulceVie says
Good job with the workouts! That yogurt looks delish!
Emily @ Hungry Delights says
Awww your dinner looks soo good! I have to try this out! I need to find a bit more of a groove with my workouts too.. they kinda went on the wayside at Christmas time.. slowly getting there though :)
Kellie says
May sound like a silly question, but how do you heat up your frozen chicken? We always have frozen chicken but haven’t found a good way to quickly heat it, without having it thaw in the fridge for 2 days first… which defeats the purpose of having it on hand for easy & quick meals! Just wondering what works for you!
Courtney says
Haha, good question! We usually try to take the chicken out the night before. Otherwise, we’ll just defrost it in the microwave (watching it carefully so it doesn’t begin to really cook!)