HEY boos! I hope you all had a lovely Monday. Is anyone else thrilled that we’re getting so close to summertime!? I just recently noticed that the trees are green again. I could swear the leaves grew overnight…
Daily Recap
Back in the day (aka like a few month ago) I despised Mondays. But now? Now I don’t mind them at all. In fact, today was a pretty great day. Breakfast was a quick one since I was running out the door.
I had a peanut butter wrap and an apple.
Then I went to an 8a.m. yoga class. It was the first time taking a class with this particular instructor, and unfortunately I didn’t like her style too much. I’m still glad I went, though, because it gave me a taste of a different way of doing yoga. Instead of moving from pose to pose at a semi-fast pace, we really took our time and held each pose longer. While it wasn’t as vigorous, it definitely required more strength and balance on my part. Not to mention it set me off on a calm and peaceful start for the rest of the day.
When I got to the office I sipped on some Skinny Water, which was really tasty!
It reminded me of drinking Hi-C orange stuff as a kid, bahah. I decided to skip the coffee since this was supposed to “wake me up.” Let’s just say I could barely keep my eyes open, so I made a much-needed Starbucks run. I got a grande coffee with heavy cream, which I sweetened with stevia.
Heavy cream makes a cup of coffee, in my opinion. Skim milk? Just doesn’t do it for me. Don’t fear the fat, people!
I was *this close* to getting a scone or a coffee cake when I saw a pile of these Two Moms In The Raw granola bars.
Yeah yeah, I just yesterday said how I wanted to cut back on buying bars, but I just had to give this one a try. And the ingredient list was quite impressive.
It looked pretty too.
So the only question that remained was, how does it taste? Unfortunately it wasn’t as good as I hoped for :/ It was really crunchy (and I like a bit of chew in a granola bar) and there was a weird taste to it, which I couldn’t put my finger on. I still managed to eat the whole thing, though.
Lunch came a few hours later and was a semi-repeat of last night’s dinner.
That’s chocolate Greek yogurt (1 container plain yogurt + 1 tbsp cocoa powder) topped with strawbs, April’s Sweet Bread, and crushed macadamia nuts.
When I got home I made a Green Monster, topped with Galaxy Granola.
And snacked on another small piece of April’s Sweet Bread with peanut butter.
Momma Meets Health made a bangin’ dinner spread tonight, so I had this big bowl of deliciousness.
That’s brown rice, black beans, and pork tenderloin topped with salsa and sour cream. Oh, Mexican-inspired casseroles, you may just be one of my favorite meals.
Monster Pumpkin Pancake
For dessert I had a breakfast favorite - a Monster Pumpkin Pancake.
I actually made it this afternoon and stored in the fridge (this picture is pre-eating, before being topped with almond butter, obv). Pumpkin pancakes = hands down the best way to use up leftover pumpkin, in case you were wondering.
ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pancake mix (I used whole wheat)
- 1/4 cup milk (I used coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
- 1/2 tbsp flax
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 drops liquid stevia
- 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
Combine all ingredients and cook on low heat. The added pumpkin makes for an insanely moist cake.
I assume you could make 2-3 pancakes out of this, but I prefer the monster-sized. Plus it’s a fun challenge trying to flip this baby 
My Yoga Journey: What I’ve Learned So Far
I thought I’d take a minute to share with you all how my newfound yoga regimen has been going. I know I’ve only been practicing yoga for a few weeks, but I cannot tell you enough how much I’ve seen a change in myself since then. First of all, I’ve made it no secret that I struggle with stress and anxiety. It is seriously incredible how much yoga has reduced that stress - not just right after class - but throughout the entire day. Furthermore, I’ve been noticing something else lately: yoga has made me feel more confident and beautiful than I have in while. And here’s why.
Well, to put it plainly, I’m good at it! It turns out that I’m much stronger and more flexible than I thought. I feel a sense of pride when I can hold difficult poses after being back in the game for just a few weeks. I can bow and flatten my hands on the ground with ease. I can stand in tree pose without the slightest movement.
When I watch my body movement in the mirrors in front of me, I like the way I look. It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, if I have make-up on, or whether or not I’m having a “skinny” day. I can simply appreciate what my body can do, and how far it’s taken me. No outfit, hair-do, or even guy has ever made me feel that thankful and proud of my body.
No form of exercise has made me feel this way either. Sure, I feel a sense of accomplishment after a vigorous elliptical workout or (an attempt at) running. But even more so than accomplishment, I feel a sense of relief. With yoga, though, I feel not only accomplished, but also refreshed, peaceful, strong, and beautiful.
I rarely ever felt like I was “good” at any other form of exercise. I know that practice makes perfect, but I never felt truly in my element (especially with running, for example). Now I’m realizing that being able to master difficult poses and become a yoga master (haha) is much more appealing to me than being able to run x-amount of miles. Don’t get me wrong - I will still do other forms of exercise and have a great appreciation for them. But I think I’m finally starting to find my fitness niche after years and years of exercising. And that is a wonderful feeling!
Well babes, on that note, I’m signing off for the night. Have a great one, K? xoxo G
- What do you like in your coffee?
- Is there a form of exercise that makes you feel confident and beautiful? If not, what does?
That’s so great. I love that about yoga. It totally makes me feel the same way, mostly because I’m good at it. I love knowing that I’m flexible and strong. That’s great that you feel that way and are starting to find your sweet spot with fitness.
Can’t answer the coffee question since I don’t drink coffee.
that’s so amazing that yoga has helped you so much! i am not that “great” at yoga, but it’s good for ME and i love doing it! it makes me feel strong and graceful and i find that i love myself when i’m doing it, which is a lot to say for me
in my coffee - i’m still stuck on Splenda with a little nonfat milk. just enough for it to change colors a bit
WOW amazing story my love!! im terrible at yoga-i need to get back into it because its SOO good for you!! i really really want to!
HMMM GREAT EATS! I LOVE yogurt and cocoa powda mixed! i actually love cocoa powda in EVERYTHING-especially OATS!!
GO MOMMMAAAAA. she made a baller dinner!! MEXICAN FIESTA! whoo!!
COFFEE- almond milk and truvia baby!
love you girl!
I am so glad that you’re loving yoga! I want to get more into it, but sometimes I lack concentration! Running definitely makes me feel that way!
So glad you are loving yoga, girl!! I love how it makes me feel, too. And initially I though it would never me that GREAT workout. Now I’m hooked!
ughh i am SO bad at yoga! and I really should do it more often, I wouund;t do it for a workout, just to stretch out and relaxation purposes, everytime I take it I enjoy it! but don’t do it as much as I should!!
that pumpkin pancake? will that send well to me
Loved reading your yoga journey
I am so glad to hear you feel confident in yourself - you should be! You are gorgeous, but more importantly, I can tell you put your heart into everything and truly care - about everything!
The ingreds really are killer!
That bar looks great - too bad it didn’t taste as good as hoped, though
At home, I just use almond milk in my coffee. Sometimes I just drink it black, too - depends on the mood! haha. If I’m out, I get a bit of cream and (if I can do it myself) a bit of sugar. I can never get the ppl at dunkin to not oversweeten it though, in which case I just go for cream, lol.
Have a great night!
Gracie this is such a GREAT post to read. To me, you are someone who radiates a lot of light as it is - now knowing you have found something that you love so much and you feel wonderful doing is positively, well, RADIANT!! I am so happy you’ve got yoga making you feel confident, beautiful and strong! I *finally* got that high with running a few weeks ago and nothing else compares to it.
As for coffee - I like mine with just some flavored creamer and it’s usually about the color of your hair
“Refreshed, peaceful, strong, and beautiful.” I could not have said it better myself!!
I completely agree with you about cream! I think skim milk is okay in lattes, but in a regular cup of coffee? NO, THANK YOU!
I’m so so happy to read that yoga is making you feel confident and beautiful!!! That’s so awesome! I definitely think that yoga has a unique ability to help us both accept and appreciate our bodies.
Yay for yoga. I am an avid runner and do cardio most days, but I find peace in my daily yoga. I’m addicted and go 5-6 days a week. It is amazing how it can change your view of yourself and make you just feel strong and refreshed all at the same time. You hit the nail on the head with the descriptions.
I really like yoga and I feel like I’m good at it too! It’s all genetics, I guess. I suck at pushups, but I surely can stretch and balance my body better than anyone else in the class, and I’ve only been doing it for a few months!
I’m very, very untalented when it comes to running, but I do love it…MOST of the time. When I’m finished, I feel like my legs are just SO strong. It really is a great feeling!
THose pancakes look so good!
I like a creamy cup of coffee, I do not like sweet.
I love yoga too, I am not the best at it, but I love the way it makes me feel…grounded and calm!
I love biking + yoga/Pilates, but I need to get back into the latter…thank you for the inspiration. So glad you found your “niche” ! Love you. xo
lovely post! i definitely feel most beautiful in the studio, on my mat, makeup-less and pouring out sweat.
great post!!!i agree 100%.i’m a yoga newbie and have ntoiced great effects onmy mind and body too.
coffee w/cream all the way! or iced lattes with soy
I love milk in my coffee - although I’ve cut coffee out for now in the quest for better sleep
You are spot on about the yoga! I used to take free yoga classes when I was in college and I was hooked because of that “after yoga” glow I would get! I would come back from class, relaized, not a care in the world. And, I was getting more flexible!
I’m so glad you’ve found your fitness niche!
Good for you Gracie, how awesome!
I am not too big of a fan of yoga, but it’s because I really am not very good at it. I know I need to stick to it though because my body feels great after I do it.
Sorry for the repeat comment but it got posted in the wrong spot! And again, sorry to be a pain but I really want to try taking yoga. I think I’d like the faster-paced (the first class you talked about) a little bit more than a slower class. Do you mind telling me the names of the two different classes/kinds? Thanks!
I always have my coffee with soy milk (or almond milk if I’m making it at home) but I’m going to have to try the cream now!
yoga makes me feel the same way! i’m so glad you are having such a great experience.
So glad you found yoga and discovered that you are actually good at it! I must agree with you coffee is good with a little cream once in a while. I usually mix mine with soy milk when I am at home… when I am at my parents house with half and half creamer.
i love that you found some exercise that you LOVE and that makes you feel good. thats the most important thing.
I always feel strong and amazing after busting out push ups and pull ups for some reason!
Good for you for finding a form of exercise you truly LOVE!! I’ve tried yoga probably a dozen times, and never fallen in love with it…I think the problem is that I’m a super antsy person and can’t seem to relax enough!! Running makes me feel CONFIDENT because I’m focusing on what my body can DO, instead of how many calories I’m burning. I feel so accomplished when I can push myself through an extra mile
I’m not a big coffee person, but if I do drink it it’s either in cappucino form or an espresso shot with about fifty packets of sugar
My dad LOVES cream in his coffee, but he’d go through a carton of cream in about three days, so now he has one cup of it and switches over to 2% milk, haha.
Hope you have a great day love!!
I think this is wonderful! I’m so glad you’ve finally found the fitness thing that works for you and makes you feel absolutely amazing. That’s how running makes me feel. Beautiful, strong, and like I can take on the world.
As for coffee. Dun like it. Bleh.
I felt the same way about yoga when I first started! Now that you mention it, I should really get back into it! Perhaps a little YogaDownload is in store for tonight! Anyway, I usually drink lattes but when I have coffee (which is usually during the summer)it is always iced hazelnut flavored with a splash of soy milk. I really dislike how artificial sweetners make coffee taste (or how they make anything taste for that matter)
i loveeeeeeee skinny water! my fave is the lemonade passionfruit! not really a fan of the orange for some reason though?
have a good day, love!
I’m so happy for you that you found something that you love so much!!!! I have a feeling that I’m going to feel the same way about it. When I have tried it in the past, I love the feeling it gives you. It makes you feel STRONG yet at peace at the same time. Amazing
Real cream or half and half is the way to go with coffee, it makes ALL the difference!
I felt like I could have written this post. I have exercised for years (run, spin, weights, power walk etc) but recently started taking Vinyasa yoga classes and felt the positive effects almost immediately. I feel so much calmer, more mindful, more confident. I feel a peace I have not felt in.. maybe ever? I never wanted to try yoga before, partially because I didn’t consider it a “real workout” but since I have started I have lost weight (without dieting) and my abs are flatter and more defined than they have ever been. I am astonished at the changes. Better results than in the years of running or spin classes. Seriously. I would never have believed but I am fitting into clothes I previously wore when I weighed 10 lbs less. Only difference is the yoga. The physical results have been great but the mental results are just as good, if not better.
I agree completely with that! Yoga always leaves me feeling more confident and beautiful too. And while I know I still have a lot of room for improvement with it, I enjoy doing it and am better than I thought too. Yay for finding something you are really loving!
@Lara - thanks so much for sharing your story! I also never thought it was a “real workout,” but now I find myself wanting to do those other foms of exercise less and less. I almost feel like they STRESSED my body, while yoga does the complete opposite.
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