Workout: Leg Day!

I have had a few people ask what the heck I do when I go to the gym. To be honest, some days I would rather stay home & workout, but getting to the gym gets me FOCUSED and INSPIRED to give my all. As I say that, I try to design my workouts using minimal equipment, so that if I am stuck at home I have NO EXCUSES to not work out!

Here is a Leg Day workout that should take ~40 minutes!

Obviously if you are doing this at home, you may not have access to an elliptical or stair stepper. But I bet you have access to some sidewalk and some real stairs! Improvise :)

Description
Walking lunges - 20, holding 8-10lb weights
Sumo Squat - Spread your feet wide, with toes facing out at 3 and 9 o'clock. Squat. Raise up on your tippy toes to flex your calves. Release. Stand up. Do 10-15.
Straight Leg Deadlift - The most important thing here is to keep your back flat! Reach to the floor (like you are stretching your hammies) and pick up a barbell or 2 dumbells weighing 20-30lb total. Lift, keeping your back flat, until the weights reach mid-calf to knee. Lower & repeat. 10-15 reps
Lunges on Bosu - Step foward onto a bosu and lunge. Great for core stability! Do 20, holding 8-10lb weights
Bridge on medicine ball - Place your heels on a medicine ball and raise your hips to be flat. Lower, keeping abs contracted. Do 20 reps.
Goblet squat - Hold a 8-10lb weight in front of your chest. Squat, keeping weight at chest level, and rise up. Do 10-15 reps.

Repeat 2-3 times!

So, let me know, is this helpful to you? Would you like me to post more of my workouts? Tell me what you're thinking in the comments!

Nut Butter Waffles

I'm normally a smoothie-for-breakfast kind of girl, but sometimes (especially in the winter) I just want something a little warmer, hearter even. Not that smoothies don't keep me full, but sometimes I guess I just want to chew my food!

I take part in a vegan freezer exchange with a small group women. I was planning on making my black bean burgers this month, but someone else mentioned they were making black bean falafel, so I decided to make waffles instead!

I'm all about quick breakfasts in the morning - probably why I rely on smoothies so much. These waffles are easy enough to make in a big batch, you can freeze them, and then either toast them or microwave them in the morning while you are rushing out the door!

I used almond butter (crunchy) this time around, but I have also had luck with peanut butter (crunchy). This recipe comes from Isa's "Vegan Brunch" and as she mentions, the batter is pretty forgiving! It is also THICK so don't try to thin it out - you may end up with waffle breakage!

These are great topped with some Earth Balance & Maple syrup, or with bananas & chocolate chips! I didn't have any chocolate chips on hand, so I made a quick chocolate drizzle sauce using some left over Christmas chocolate :)

PB Waffles

3/4c chunky nut butter
3 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp canola oil
2c non-dairy milk
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 c AP flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Mix nut butter, syrup and oil together well.

Mix milk & cornstarch in a separate bowl, until cornstarch is well dissolved. Add, along with vanilla, to nut butter mixture

Add remaining ingredients and mix until batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix.

This yielded 6 square waffles for me! Enjoy!

L ♥