Archive for December 8, 2011

08 Dec 2011
banana • muffins • recipe

Mini Banana Muffins

DSC01945

On Thanksgiving eve, I saw these on sale at my local grocery store. I am not one to pass up a good deal, so I bought them.

Especially if it has to do with mini muffins. For food, everything is just better in mini form, no?

They are cuter, more portable, fun to eat, and it probably means you can eat more.

I was brainstorming ideas of what I wanted to make in these cute little pans. Pumpkin? Blueberry? Chocolate?

Then this happened:

DSC01944

The only thing you can do with this type of tragedy is bake with it. So that’s what I did.

DSC01979

Mini Banana Muffins

Inspired by Brown Eyed Baker.

  • 1 C. All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1/2 C. Sugar
  • 1/2 C. Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1.5 Eggs
  • 1/2 C. Canola Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tablespoon Applesauce (optional)
  • 2 Ripe Bananas

*Yield: 28 mini muffins.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 and spray muffin pans.

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix wet ingredients in another bowl. Mix both together and stir until they are completely combined.

Pour into muffin trays, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

DSC01951

DSC01962

DSC01974DSC01977DSC01984

 

 

Favorite flavor muffin?

Mini or large baked goods?

What have you baked recently?

gothextramile | 14 comments | Tags: , , ,
08 Dec 2011
fitfluential • food • morning • Tips • workout

Strive for Progress, Not Perfection

Last night I received an email letting me know I have officially become a Fitfluential Ambassador!

fit

FFBadge1

Taken directly from their website:

  • FitFluential is a growing family of fitness fanatics spreading a positive healthy message year-round.
  • FitFluential is the perfect combination of fitness and influence.
  • Fitfluential is all about balance.
  • Fitness is all about fitting in to your LIFE.
  • At FitFluential, we are passionate about fitness.

There was no way I could NOT be a part of that! I love talking about fitness, I love participating in anything fitness, I love shopping for fitness, and of course I love blogging and sharing fitness with others.

I am so excited and honored to be a part of this community!

With that being said, I thought I’d share tips on how to become a morning exerciser.

When getting ready to head out for my run this morning, my mom asked me why I wasn’t sleeping instead.

I mean, I am on winter break but choose to wake up early and get my workout done.

I am one of those people who prefer to get it done early for many reasons.

  • It starts your day off right.
  • It’s cooler to run.
  • You don’t have to worry about it later on.
  • I am more awake in the morning.
  • You don’t have to worry about certain foods not sitting well with you as if you were working out later in the day.

I remember when I thought the people who woke up early were crazy. Once I started doing it, I realized why. It’s not that bad!

1. Put your clothes out the night before. This is a life savor. Just wake up, throw on your clothes, and head out the door. No wasting time searching.

2. Do something you enjoy. If you are dreading your workout, you will be more likely to skip out on it! Doing something you look forward to gives you the natural motivation to get up and get moving.

3. Plan ahead. Waking up and trying to wing it may discourage you. Going into your workout with a plan will help you because you won’t have to think about it.

4. Go to bed and wake up the same time. Having a similar schedule every day will be easier for you to continue. If you go to bed at 2am one night, then wake up late the next morning, the next night you won’t be able to fall asleep early enough.

5. Stick with it. Nothing is going to be easy the first few times! Eventually, you will get used to it. Be consistent and it will become natural.

~~~~~~~~

Workout

This morning I ventured out for another morning run on my half training plan.

The plan was to do some race day practice. I decided to do my miles like this:

Mile 1: Training Pace (Just run how I feel)

Mile 2: Faster Pace

Mile 3: Training Pace

Mile 4: Faster Pace

Cool down.

IMG_1668

Success! I completed 4.51 miles in 42 minutes. The last half a mile was just a walking cool down.

I also completed Chris Freytag’s yoga DVD on On Demand TV. It felt so good to stretch out my muscles, I really love Vinyasa Flow. I felt strong and balanced!

She also said something that I LOVED.

“Strive for progress, not perfection.” – Chris Freytag

Breakfast

You’d think I would want something warm on this chilly day, but all I wanted was yogurt. I haven’t been in the mood for oats at all lately, so weird.

DSC02071

DSC02073

3/4 C. Plain Fage Greek Yogurt.

1 super small banana.

Blackberries (still obsessed).

Kiwi.

Chia seeds.

 

Do you have any tips to add if you workout in the morning?

Do you feel better after you do yoga?

Do you stop craving foods after a while of eating them too often?

gothextramile | 18 comments | Tags: , , , , ,