I’ve got some great stuff goin’ on over here this morning. Great stuff.
Starting with breakfast…
Gosh, I love these things. I am so, so happy that I finally found them.
Today’s Kodiak Cakes were topped with some peanut butter (which I know looks like a ton – probably ~1 tbsp) and sugar-free syrup. I also ended up mashing half of a banana right into the batter, which I am now also a fan of.
Jay’s actually home today (but sleeping in) and I’ve debated on whether or not I want to make him some of his own pancakes or just keep them all to myself. Would that be horrible of me? 
Let’s do a quick rewind…before any sort of delicious breakfast was had this morning, it was yoga time.
Today’s session was the 40 minute Core Strength video off of my Yoga Bootcamp DVD.
I’ve tried all but the Legs & Butt video from this DVD, and I really enjoy them all. The one that I did today, even though it’s called Core Strength, gives me a MAJOR upper body workout too so that one’s definitely a favorite.
Sooooo, speaking of yoga…
It’s the June Yoga Challenge – Fourth (and final!) Week
Congratulations, everyone! We’ve all successfully (hopefully) made it to the end of the challenge. I’m so glad that some of you decided to join along with me this month, and it’s been so fun reading all of your challenge recaps (even if I don’t comment, I’m still reading!).
So here’s how the final week went for me:
My Challenge: Do 4 yoga sessions for the week
Actual: 4 yoga sessions done! (much better than last week!)
- (1) 40-minute 10lb. Slimdown Xtreme Yoga
- (2) 20-minute 10lb. Slimdown Yoga
- (1) 40-minute Core Strength Yoga Bootcamp
Final Thoughts
Deciding to incorporate yoga into my workout routine was probably the best thing I could have done for myself this month. I can honestly say that I’ve truly discovered a new love for yoga and have full intentions of following through with my continued challenge of 3 sessions per week.
I still have a ways to go before I’d even consider calling myself anything but a beginner, but I’m totally cool with that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of my stellar yoga DVD instructors, it’s that there’s no such thing as a perfect practice. And, well, since my practice is far from perfect, that is a-okay with me.
Yoga has helped to not only tone the body, but it has actually had quite an impact on my mind. I had a couple of times this week where I was feeling some pretty crazy anxiety – those were the two 20-minute sessions – and they really did help put my mind at ease.
I’m still planning to hit up a yoga class at a local studio sometime soon (Kate? Jen? Emily?) and hoping that maybe a Groupon or Living Social Deal will come out.
We’ll see what happens!
So now, here’s your LAST CHANCE to link up with your own challenge and get an extra entry into the giveaway for these goodies…
(To find out more on the details of the giveaway, check out this post and if you don’t have a blog, just remember to email me)
Let’s see how everyone finished up this week!
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I’m unsure why I never thought of adding peanut butter to my pancakes before but I will absolutely be trying this next time I make a batch!
Crap, that reminds me I killed the last of the PB at the house last night lol.
Those pancakes look to die for! I haven’t had a slow morning where I have time to make pancakes in a while but it looks like I might need to squeeze some time in this weekend :) Banana in the mix? PB on top? Yes… I need to make these! Happy Friday Courtney!
I can’t believe the challenge is over! Thanks so much for hosting it! It was really the push I needed to commit to yoga. I’m going to continue going to my studio at least twice a week for July too!
I actually bought Kodiak Cakes are Target yesterday–can’t wait to try them :)
I seriously need those Kodiak cakes. You and Ashley are killing me every time you write about them! I wish there was a Target closer to me!
I really need to try Kodiak Cakes!
You totally should snag a pancake of your husbands… you snooze, you lose!!! ;)
I say keep the pancake mix for yourself ;)
I caved… ;)
Did you find adding yoga to you exercise routine make you cut back on other areas of exercise (like strength training or cardio?).
My biggest dilemma is how to fit it all in.
Yes, to some extent, but that was personal preference. Not so much about finding time to fit it in.
Once again, those Kodiak pancakes look amazing.
4 sessions – way to go! Those DVDs look like they give a great workout; I’ll have to look into getting some for myself. The core strength aspect really appeals to me and is something I always enjoy working on.
Thanks for putting this challenge together! I,too, fully plan on continuing my practice. It’s been good for the mind and body, as you say, and I’m branching out into newer forms of yoga (this week was HOT yoga!) and maybe new DVD workouts to try.
I’ve been wanting to mush up a banana right into the pancake batter for a while now. We bought some gluten-free mix so this weekend hopefully it’ll finally happen cause those pancakes look so good!
You are really making me want to try more yoga! Are you going to do some other sort of fitness-y challenge for July??
Good question! I’ve been thinking about it – have a few different ideas – but none of them are really standing out to me yet. We’ll see what happens! :)
I failed at my yoga challenge. I did better (maybe) than I had been doing but it’s a shame because I KNOW the affect yoga has on my mind and body and it is NOT something I should keep out of my practice. I absolutely love it and I’m hoping to get better in July….hoping. ;)
I loved your yoga challenge! I didn’t do great–but I made it to yoga class 1x/week–better than none;-) I hope to get a session or two in at home in July. Could you do a link-up or ‘where to find’ your yoga dvd’s…yours look much more exciting than the one’s I have….thanks!
Here’s a post with some of my favorite workout DVD’s: https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/favorites/2011/05/20/my-favorite-workout-dvds/
And you can also check out my Amazon store: http://astore.amazon.com/swetooswelif-20
I used to not like bananas in my pancakes when I was younger…my sister didn’t like them either. However, everytime we spent the night at my grandma’s she’d make banana pancakes without fail. My sister and I still joke about the one time she spoke up and yelled “and hold the bananas!” in her little 5 year old voice.
Now I really like them in my pancakes–especially when topped with some PB!
Reading this post makes me realize that I need to get back into yoga. I have been focusing more on strength training and I have noticed that my muscles are feeling pretty tight lately. I do think that it is good to switch up your routine every once in a while, but I also that yoga should at least be making a weekly appearance in my line-up. :)
I didn’t do the challenge, but I should’ve (my month was toooo crazy). Yoga IS so great! Must find time for it….. eventually ;)
Definitely go to a class at a studio! So much fun. Most all yoga teachers out there are just amazing people.
I was just at Target yesterday and now I am kicking myself for not looking to see if they had the Kodiak mix. Ugh!! I guess a special weekend trip is in my future!!
I’ll be honest, I slacked on yoga, but I am really trying to get back into the goove of things. Thank you for the inspiration!
I really want to start incorporating Yoga into my routine, especially during school when I am stressed with papers and exams! I will probably structure it to be on a “rest” day after a hard workout so I can really stretch out my muscles. Congrats on completing the whole month! :)
Glad you enjoyed your challenge – I really need to start incorporating yoga again. I know I feel better doing it, even ten minutes a day. I have a ton of great sun salutation routines and quick morning workouts. Its a mind game. Since I’m training for a triathlon right now, I find myself trying to log the miles, get in strength training, etc but I really need to find that quiet time – that stretchy, bendy time. Like the say, good for the mind, body and spirit. Thanks for the reminder.
I would definitely keep the pancakes for myself. delicious combo with the pb, syrup and banana. Nice job on the june yoga challenge, too. when i do yoga, i am not as jealous of my cat being able to stretch in the morning as he does. ;)
Kodiak cakes are bommmmb! Especially when they’re made into banana pancakes. And it seems like this challenge was a great success! I love yoga but I know I should def. incorporate it more :)
Those pancakes look awesome! They came out amazing! I always tend to burn mine! Your June yoga challenge looks awesome! I keep trying to get myself into it but haven’t quite got there yet!
If you add white chocolate chips to your banana pancakes, you will be in heaven! That was my dinner last night!
Just wanna say thank you for hosting this challenge =) It’s very motivational to do things as a team and linking up blog-posts is a great way to keep each
other accountable! Much love & Namaste ;)
I really need to incorporate yoga back into my workout routine, especially since my marathon training is really starting to get underway
Peanut butter on pancakes is simply the best thing ever! Adding bananas, now that’s just asking for an explosion of goodness in your mouth!
Yum! Those pancakes look divine- I wish Australia had them..us Aussies miss out on so much of the healthy delicious food you Americans get! Great job with the yoga also- I love taking the time to do Body balance but only get to it once a week.
Your june yoga session is really nice and amazing. I love also to take yoga session yet I don’t have time for this now. However, your pancakes are so delicious.