Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

 

 

I had to post about last night's baking project, which had to get done so I have a quick and healthy breakfast option for this morning.  I need one because I will be going to work for my first day as a personal trainer!  Thats right folks, I am officially hired by the Navy base gym here in Guam!  Yay!! Anyways... I have been making these breakfast cookies for months now, and they are AMAZING!!  They have no flour or sugar in them at all, but still taste like, well, a cookie!  They are very healthy as well as quick and easy  for breakfast in the morning.  The recipe can be found at this wonderful blog:

 

http://watching-what-i-eat.blogspot.com/2012/06/peanut-butter-banana-oat-breakfast.html

 

A few notes on the recipe:  I always use the protein powder, specifically Muscle Milk's Vanilla Creme whey powder.  Ladies, do not fear. It will not cause you to bulk up.  It's very important to get some protein in your breakfast, and this helps me do that.  I also add in things like a handful of mini chocolate chips and/ or raisens.  It tastes like an oatmeal cookie!  This last time I also added some cinnamon.  I am hoping it turns out well.  Also, make sure to let it rest for 10 minutes like it says in the recipe.  I was in a hurry this time and didn't, and they spread more than normal and cooked a little strangely.

 

Finally, I THINK (think being the operative word here.) these are gluten free. I have heard that Irish Oats can be found without gluten.  I am not sure about the protein powder, but that is an optional ingredient.  Since I do eat gluten, I am not sure about this and would love any tips from those that cannot eat gluten concerning this.  Agin though, if you are allergic to gluten, do not take my word for it that these are gluten free. I just think they are.

 

Enjoy!

Fall in a Glass Pumpkin Smoothie

Continuing on my quest to make fun and tasty smoothies, I decided to make a new fall flavored drink for my post run recovery today.  I made a fantastic pumpkin smoothie that was AMAZING!  Very different than your normal fruit smoothie.  It was perfect for my post run recovery drink, but can also be made as a healthy snack.

 

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Ingredients:

1 Banana

1/3 cup of canned pumpkin (I would have loved to use real pumpkin, but ours aren't ready yet)

4 oz. plain yogurt, preferably greek yogurt

1 scoop of vanilla creme protein powder

A few sprinkles of pumpkin pie spice

Splash of milk

 

The directions are easy.  Put the banana, pumpkin, yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, and protein powder in a blender.  If you are using this as a snack instead of a post workout drink,  substitute the plain yogurt and protein powder for vanilla greek yogurt.  Use about 6 ounces. Blend it all together until mixed.  The smoothie will be very think at this point, so add some milk and a little more yogurt to bring it to a consistancy that you like.  Pour into a serving glass and spinkle with a dash of pumpkin pie spice for garnish.  Enjoy!

So tasty!!

 

 

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Fitness Adventures Series! *Extreme Hiking*

Here on Guam, there are many opportunites to have adventures that can double as working out.  For example, this hike we went on a little bit ago.  It took about 6 hours and involved hiking down to a waterfall, up a river, and back out of the ravine.  It was wonderfully exhausting and so much fun! 

After a couple hours of hiking to the valley, we climbed down the side of the valley using ropes.  There were places that I had to pull myself out of that were up to my chest!

 

 The view at the bottom was worth the climb.  We made it to Lower Sigua Falls!  My husband had the guts to jump in from a third of the way up.  I chickened out though.  I stuck with just swimming around.

Then we climbed around to the top of the waterfall where we found this baby waterfall and little pool.  We climbed down the little waterfall, explored a bit, then started thelast leg of our journey- up the river.  And when I say up the river, I'm not kidding.  We walked for over 2 hours THROUGH the river.  It was very, ah, wet.

By the end of hiking up the river, I was pretty tired and soaked.  I was covered in dirt, sweat, mud, and probably some spiderwebs.  I was so glad I had my tall pink socks and gloves on to help me climb up over rocks and mudslides and to protect me a little.  But I was most thankful for my Camelback.  I woud suggest anyone that ever is doing a strenuous activity where they aren't sure where they can get water to invest in one.  Mine is nice and small and I can even run with it, but it keeps me well hydrated.

 

We finally made it to Upper Sigua Falls!  This was one tall waterfall and quite the beautiful site to see.  Once we got to the top of this set of falls, we looked over the terrain that we climbed over all day. Talk about feeling accomplished! 

Hiking is a fantastic way to exercise in a fun, different, and challenging way.  A hike does not have to be nearly as intense as this particular one was.  The best part about hiking is it can be done just about anywhere! Whether you are going on vacation or want to explore your own area, there is always some place to hike.  Check out your local state parks for an easy way to find some trails.  For my followers in Wisconsin, I recommend Rails to Trails (www.railstotrails.org) or the Ice Age Trail (www.iceagetrail.org/).  If you have a place you like to hike, feel free to share it below!