I have the hummus!

(name that show)

Summer has officially arrived, really it has. Construction has started and everything. For those non-Canadians, up here we have two seasons: winter and construction. I was woken this morning some time before most birds crack an eyelid to the sounds of power tools and hammering making their way through my open window. Thinking it was landscaping, because at that time of morning all noise sounds the same, I rolled over and told myself there's only so much grass - they'd move on soon enough. Um, no such luck. I realized later they are redoing our roof - thanks for the notice, by the way - so they'll be here for the next two weeks. Rah.

But that's not the point. Summer is the point. Now that its here, I'm changing gears on my training focus from a more hypertrophy (growing) and strength base to a greater focus on fat loss. Why? A few reasons:

1. BVIs in August - bikinis. Need I say more? (details to come!)
   
2. My inner skinny girl has been patient enough.
3. To uncover what has been hiding under this layer of insulation and see what how far I've gotten so far.
4. Really 3b, to make sure I haven't been developing any imbalances or weak points
5. To look better naked. :-)

What this means in the gym is more metabolic work, so a greater emphasis on energy taxing lifts, higher reps and more explosive movements. I'm also doing a lot more cardio (Anything is a lot more than nothing right?), taking advantage of the weather and putting some extra miles on my bike among other things. I'll post more about the specifics sometime this week - promise!

What this means in the kitchen is mostly smaller portions and lighter meals. Now, when I say lighter, I'm usually referring to less carbs not fats. I already eat a mostly clean diet (ice cream sundaes excepted) so its really a matter of dialing it back a little further and being more careful with mindless munching. One of the changes I've made this week is the inclusion of veggies as a snack. I tend to reach for fruit when I'm studying, which unfortunately usually makes me more hungry and perpetuates a nasty little cycle of snacking. By switching to the veg, I am able to fill up on tons of nutrients and I don't really feel like snacking much after.

Here's where we get to the recipe, finally. To accompany this veg plate I finally got around to trying out a hummus recipe - late to the party, I know. I got this recipe from my Aunt, so will post it as I got it, but below are some changes I'm going to make for next time.

Spicy Hummus
1 19 oz can chick peas drained and rinsed
3 tbsp each lemon juice and water
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp sesame oil or 2 tbsp tahini or Peanut butter. ( I usually use tahini, and have also used peanut butter - all work)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin (needs closer to 2)
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce or cayenne (I use pepper sauce, blends better)

In food processor puree chick-peas, lemon juice, water, garlic, tahini, cumin and hot pepper sauce. If too thick add more water slowly until soft spreadable consistency.

Makes about 2 cups. Keeps for up to a week or so in the fridge covered.

Notes: It was a little spicy for my taste, so next time I'm going to leave out the cumin and cayenne and maybe try a different spice mix instead - or leave it plain. I may also add some cottage cheese to give it a creamier/cheesy texture.

Why?

So I'm sitting here at my desk with nearly every conceivable joint aching, begging the question so many ask me on a regular basis - "why?"

Why do you lift?
How is it worth all the aching?
Why do you watch your diet?
Why do you push those numbers?
Why 'waste' an hour every day, five or six days a week only to end up sore?

The reason: It makes me feel damn good.

My aching hip flexors, mid back, and abs are from my killer yoga class (taught by this super-awesome yogi) yesterday. My sore shoulders and traps are from some remedial work I did last night to fix my scapular tracking and work out the popping in my shoulder joints. My aching quads, glutes, and hamstrings are from both the yoga and the cardio I did right after.

Is this a bit excessive? Perhaps. Not all days are like this. Some days I roll out of bed with not an ache in sight. Others, I wake up and hitting the snooze button is a monumental task of bribing seized muscles into rolling over and reaching out far enough to stop the beeping.

I lift, run, cycle, and contort my body into unnatural poses because it keeps me sane. It is an epic battle of me against myself. I am my own competition and motivator. I love the rush of hitting new numbers on a squat or deadlift. I love the exhausted, sweaty, shaking feeling I get after a good run and a session of tabata sprints on the bike (more on those some other time). I look forward to that long, bendy feeling I walk away with after rolling up my yoga mat.

Do these loves outweigh the train-wreck feeling I wake up to some mornings? Absolutely. In fact, its those achy days that probably keep me going back. As cliche as it sounds, in some ways, it reminds me that I'm alive, of how lucky I am that my legs move when I tell them to, that I am strong and healthy enough to push new weights, distances, and stretches. It reminds me that when I eat, I am fueling recovery and growth. It forces me to realize this is my body and mine alone, the same way it is my life and mine alone. Any demons or chattering monkeys get dropped at the door. Negative and self depreciating thoughts get replaced with a sole purpose of bending deeper, breathing stronger, running further or lifting more.

Will I do this forever? Maybe, its hard to say. Currently I am looking to turn this into a career, at least for a while. I am on my way to starting a private studio for personal training, and would love to expand my education and experience into coaching, teaching yoga, maybe even massage. All in due time. I am still mastering this lifestyle myself, and feel it is something that is always evolving, changing and adapting based on external and internal influences. Right now my focus is on making this business work, and seeing how far we can take it.

going bananas

Need a REALLY good coffee and a nap. Maybe a hug too. Sorry I've been off for so long (to the 3 people who maybe read this). No excuses, just being me. Will post more soon, this week holds promise of being a little better... fingers crossed.

Here's a killer banana muffin recipe to tide you over. There are no pictures this time, but, well, imagine my carrot muffins minus the orange and it'll be close I'm sure.


3 ripe bananas
2tbsp grapeseed (or vegetable) oil
4tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/3c sugar
2tbsp honey
1 egg - beaten
1tsp vanilla extract

1c flour
1tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1 1/2tbsp ground flax
2tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
1/2tsp salt
1-2tbsp dark chocolate grated (chocolate chips will work too)

Preheat oven to 350F, line or grease muffin cups.

Mash bananas and mix in sugar, applesauce, and salt. Stir until mixed, add egg and vanilla. Once mixed, add remaining dry ingredients except chocolate. Mix until just combined, then fold in chocolate. Pour into muffin cups and bake 15-20min. Makes 9-12 muffins.