Cookies Anyone?

As I said about a week ago, I need to get back on track with healthy eating and being active and what not. Unfortunately I am not off to the greatest start, but no time like the present and no day like today to make up for lost time. I think that part of my problem is the missing plan, most health gurus will note that an important part of getting fit is making a plan and committing to that plan. I need to set measurable and attainable goals for myself, create a meal and workout plan that will leave little room for error or excuse, and commit to making this change. Since talk is cheap, I've headed to the kitchen, removed contraband, and begun planning my meals for the week. 

Quick, easy, and filling breakfast!

Breakfast, they say*, is the most important meal of the day and is the meal I usually end up skipping. Solution: these delicious, healthy, gluten-free gems kick start mornings with something that feels carb-y and indulgent but isn't.
The original recipe for these cookies came from some fitness website many, many moons ago and since then I have tried a number of different ingredient combinations finally deciding that this was my favourite. That being said, these cookies are so easy to make and customize that I almost feel silly calling this a recipe. But I have, and so here is the recipe for my Banana Oat Breakfast Biscuits (I'm a big fan of alliteration).


Ingredients
- 1 cup of oats
- 2 super ripe bananas
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp cinnamon

Now What?
Preheat the oven to 375F and line a cookie sheet with parchment (or use some non-stick spray like Pam, otherwise the cookies will stick and make a horrible mess, I promise).
In a large bowl chop, mash, smush bananas until they are a big bowl of goop. Now mix in oats, almond butter, and cinnamon. 
Form cookie balls approximately 1 inch in diameter and flatten with a fork on cookie sheet. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. Remove, flip cookies, and rotate tray, then bake for another 8-10 minutes. This recipe will make about 16 crispy-on-the-outside cookies.






Just like tastes, ovens are different. The original recipe suggested a 15 minute bake time at 350F, so adjust as you see fit. 





That's today's exciting update! Goal-setting will follow along with what I plan to do for exercise (I've been putting that part off). 
More to come as I have more to say!

Love Alex, Absolutely!

*Who exactly is "they"? I don't know.

Oh Hey July! Where did you come from?!

Yikes!
It's been over a month since I've written anything here, I need to work on my consistency!

Here's a super speedy summary of what I was doing the past five weeks:

Mountains of LSAT Prep Material

- Studying for LSAT
- Writing LSAT
- Celebrating finishing the LSAT
- House-sitting & dog-sitting
- Birthdays, wedding & baby showers
- Catching up with the hommies
- 2013 Toronto Pride Parade!

Toronto Pride 2013

It has been a busy summer so far and between the studying, friends, and "sitting" I have definitely let my health and eating habits slide. Eating out, eating on the go, beer, wine, and lack of real exercise has taken its toll. 

So, it's time to get back on track!

I've been trolling the fitness blogs for clean eating tips, workouts, and general inspiration. I'm ready to make the changes necessary to get healthy and feel great again! Blogging about it should force me to share my successes and setbacks, along with lessons I pick up along the way.
More to come as I have more to say, 

Love Alex, Absolutely!

Mornings & What-Nots

Morning,

It's cold and rainy here in Toronto, getting out of bed was not easy. To add to the dismal weather, Tuesday is my least favourite day of the week, it's so far from Friday I can't even see the light at the end of the weekday tunnel. Wish I could have hibernated under the covers all day.
Well to be honest, I'm not a morning person at all. Whatever the day or outlook, when I wake up the last thing I want to do is groggily make a big breakfast of eggs or pancakes or whatever.
Because I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way I am sharing my current breakfast obsession  (aside from coffee). I wouldn't call this a recipe, more of a concoction of delicious and nutritious goodness that is sure to wake you right up and keep you energized all morning.

My beloved Hamilton Beach Blender and Tassimo Coffee Brewer

The Cinna-Fruit Smoothie

1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup coconut water
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Handful of baby spinach

Blend and Enjoy










I know that the cinnamon part sounds strange, but it is delicious. I find protein powder to often taste fake and unnaturally sweet, the cinnamon cuts this and creates a sort of cinnamon bun flavour. I use a basic whey isolate protein supplement, but obviously this can be swapped for anything (same with the skim and coconut water). Baby spinach and blueberries add tons of nutrients, thicken the smoothie, and don't clash with the vanilla or cinnamon.

That's my cure for the Tuesday-Morning-Blues! I'm off for a jog before I bury myself in books for the rest of the day.
Have a wonderful day filled with smiles and things,

Love Alex, Absolutely.







ps.  Pictures were adjusted and filtered with the DeluxeFX photo app for iPhone. I am addicted.

Spreading Cheer

It has been a very long time since I've written a blog post, so here goes nothing.

I find myself happier than I've been in a long time; I have a grasp on my future, I'm surrounded by wonderful people, and am ready for an excellent summer. So, ready and raring to go I hope to spread cheer along with some of my obsessions and observations.

More Smiles and Things to come soon,
Love Alex, Absolutely.