What Kat Ate + ThisFitChick’s Workout Program

Hey My Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Swirls!

I’m so glad that you enjoyed my grain-free cookies. I know my family and I have been enjoying them, and I love how there are so many whole ingredients in them! (I’ve also come up with Chocolate Soy-Nut Butter, so I’ll be sharing that deliciousness soon, too!)

I thought it was time to do another What Kat Ate #18– “Fall”ing into Healthful Habits Style.

Thank you so much for holding this party every week, Jenn! It is always so much fun!

BREAKFAST:

My Vegan Pumpkin Spice Milkshake, topped with Dark Chocolate Chips and chopped Pecans (both of which I added more after stirring them in – they are just so delicious that way).

LUNCH:

I had been craving some spinach for lunch, so I made myself a 10oz package of it (I get it frozen and cook it for convenience), steamed a fillet of tilapia (topped with no-salt seasoning and a little season salt), and had both along with a side of chickpeas which I like eating rinsed straight from the can. (I really need to try roasted chickpeas though – I’ve heard they’re SO good!)

SNACK:

I had a Chocolate Raspberry Fiber Luna Bar for my snack. I always love snacks (and breakfasts!) that involve chocolate. This was a little sweet for my taste, but still good.

DINNER:

I tried Two Peas in a Pod’s Vegetarian Quinoa Chili for dinner. (Thank you Pinterest!) It is SO good! I loved it so much (my family enjoyed it too, which I was SUPER excited about!). I especially love how easy it was to throw together. The recipe originally calls for it to be made in the stove, but it worked beautifully in the crock-pot. (I started it around lunch and cooked it on high until dinner time.)

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Carrie from This Fit Chick contacted me and asked me if I would like to try out one of her workout packages. (I had seen her mention them on her blog a few days previously, and I thought it would be a lot of fun!)

Each of her workout packages are only $20 – $30 at most for each, which is much more affordable than many other workout programs I have seen — and you get so much information and support from it! She has 3 workout programs right now:

• Strength and Hypertrophy Workout Program (If you are looking to increase muscle mass, gain strength and achieve a strong and muscular physique.)
  
• Slim and Sculpt Workout Package (If you are looking to turn your body into a fat burning machine and achieve a lean and sculpted look.)
  
• Customized Training Programs (If you are looking to achieve specific fitness goals and want a more individualized program.)
  

And each workout program consists of:

• A Periodized 12 Week Training Program
  
• A supplemental workout log to go along with your program
  
• A nutrition tips and guidelines sheet
  
• 12 Weeks of online consultation from me to answer any questions you have during your program.
  

She sent me the Slim and Sculpt Workout Package to try out. I’ll keep you updated with how this goes for me. (I just did my first workout this morning.) I love being able to have a workout plan set in front of me – not only does it help keep my workouts fun, but it also makes working out easier as I focus on my college classes.

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What is one healthful habit you are working on this fall?

I’m striving to get enough sleep at night. When I don’t, I can’t focus and it just inflicts extra stress on my body it doesn’t need. I also get more done throughout the day.

Favorite food pictured?

I’m really liking the quinoa chili. I will HAVE to make some more of that soon.

Do you prefer cardio or weights? Which do you enjoy more?

I really like weights. I just feel so powerful after doing them.

With lots of hugs,

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Milkshake!

Hey My Pretty Pearly Petunias!

Thanks for all of your comments on my last WIAW. I always have fun participating in Jenn’s blogworld-wide party to celebrate something we all have in common ! I’ve also really been enjoying working with those little cuties everyday — they make me smile every time I see them. That’s how I am — kids make me happy.

Have an open can of pumpkin you need to use up?

Have some speckled bananas turning brown and freckled?

Have a desire for a sweet treat?

Then this smoothie-like milkshake for just right for you!

My Vegan Pumpkin Spice Milkshake!

Here is a picture of all my ingredients!

Measure out 1 cup vanilla soymilk in the blender.

Add the pumpkin puree with a spoon until the measuring container reaches 2 cups. (You can also just use a measuring cup and add it to your blender, but I was being lazy and didn’t want to clean up a measuring cup afterwards. )

Cut your banana into chunks/slices.

Add the slices of banana to the blender.

Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Place the blender into its slot on the machine.

Put on the lid.

And blend ‘er up! (I did it on level one, so it shouldn’t take that much time or effort.)

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Pour into a glass and serve ‘er up!

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Milkshake!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
  
• 1 banana, frozen and cut into chunks
  
• 1 cup (8 oz) vanilla soymilk (vanilla almond milk works too)
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• ¼ tsp ginger
  
• pinch of nutmeg and cloves
  
• Optional: handful(s) of cacao nibs, chocolate chips, or chopped toasted pecans
  

Makes a little over 2 cups. (Serves 2 as a side; Serves 1 if eaten as a meal.)

Directions

Measure out 1 cup vanilla soymilk in the blender. Add the pumpkin puree with a spoon until the measuring container reaches 2 cups. (You can also just use a measuring cup and add it to your blender, but I was being lazy and didn’t want to clean up a measuring cup afterwards.) Cut your banana into slices and add the slices to the blender. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Hook up the blender, pop on the lid, and blend ‘er up! (I did it on power level one, so it shouldn’t take that much time or effort.) Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. (I like the sweetness as it is, but I’ll sometimes add 1-2 packets of stevia or splenda – whatever I have on hand – if I want a sweet treat.)

Pour into a glass and serve ‘er up! Top with cacao nibs, chocolate chips, and/or chopped toasted pecans if desired.

Print This!

Note: To have a thinner in consistency, try streaming in more vanilla soymilk until you reach the desired thickness. You can also add ice cubes to it that will not only thin it to a more milkshake texture but also make this shake colder. I don’t list any sweetener in the ingredient list (as sometimes I don’t use any), but if you want a sweeter shake, try adding 1-2 packets of stevia (or splenda if desired) or drizzle in some honey or agave for a little natural sweetness.

I love topping this treat with handful(s) of cacao nibs (and pecans if I have them on hand). They add a crunch that I adore when paired with this.

Plus, this is SUPER filling! With over 10 grams of fiber* and 13 grams of protein* (depending on your brands of ingredients), your stomach and digestive track will be one happy camper!

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What do you like to do when you have an open can of pumpkin you want to use up? Freckled bananas ready to be used? I love to make smoothies, milkshakes, breads, and pancakes! I’ll also freeze the bananas (I have about 5 galloon-size bags of bananas in my freezer right now) to use topped with nut butter later as a treat or blended up into soft-serve “ice cream” for my family.

What are your favorite sources of fiber? I love vegetables, fruits, nuts and nut butters (especially almond and pecan butters), seeds, beans (especially chickpeas and black beans), oats, quinoa, coconut flour, cacao nibs, soynuts, and So Delicious’ coconut yogurt!

Do you consider pumpkin a vegetable? How about tomatoes and other squash? Cucumbers? I like to think of these as vegetables – I just can’t view eating them in any other way (if you get what I mean).

xoxox,

*The values of this smoothie-like milkshake were calculated without the addition of toppings. The pecans and cacao nibs would increase both fiber and protein counts and add some healthy fats, aiding in satiety.

Recipe Inspired: Great Harvest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread!

Hey My Luscious Pumpkin Chocolate Chips!

Thanks for all of your comments on my last post about how I have to get more blood tests and for all of your tips on what to do before/after. I had blood work done Friday morning and they took five vials worth! FIVE OF THEM! I was expecting maybe two or three at most… At least he used a baby/butterfly needle on me; I didn’t feel any pain (there’s never really any pain), and the guys who do it always tell me I have good veins, but I was just tensing up and stressing myself out just over the situation. The guy who did it had me talk the entire time, which helped it go by faster. Yeah, I still cried, but I was fine; I actually even went to the gym afterwards. Ha-ha, I know, I’m crazy, but I listened to my body and didn’t do anymore than I felt like; some laps around the track, plie jumps between laps, and some core work at the end was all I did. I did feel a little weird running around with the “bandage” on my arm. In fact, I don’t know if it’s from getting my blood pumping or leaving the bandage on for over one and a half or two hours, but I never got much of a bruise at all, (which I’m not in the least displeased by). So now I just get to wait and see what the tests say.

My family loves Great Harvest Bread. We always get the latest samples whenever we go. I usually either get the Honey Whole Wheat, the Pumpkin, or the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.

But now, I don’t have to go all the way there to have some: I can make some in my own kitchen.

What kind do I make?

My Great Harvest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread!

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl.

Set aside.

Mix pumpkin, oil, tofu, and water together in a bowl. (I used a whisk.)

Make sure to get the tofu really smooth so as not to have big pieces in the bread. (It won’t change the flavor at all, but it will look nicer.)

Add the dry ingredients to the wet

And mix them together until the flour is all incorporated. Don’t overmix.

Add chocolate chips

And fold them in.

Pour/spoon batter into a lightly greased 9×5 loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the center of the bread is firm and bounces back. Let it cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes,

And then transfer it to a wire rack. Cut when fully cooled and serve!

Great Harvest Inspired Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp ground ginger
  
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
  
• ½ tsp salt
  
• 1 cup (8oz) canned pumpkin purée
  
• ½ cup oil (either canola or coconut)
  
• ½ cup silken tofu
  
• 1/3 cup water
  
• ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (dairy-free ones preferred, but regular ones work just as well!)
  

Directions

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl; set aside.

Mix pumpkin, oil, tofu, and water together in a bowl. (I used a whisk.) Make sure to get the tofu really smooth so as not to have big pieces in the bread. (It won’t change the flavor at all, but it will look nicer.) Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix them together until the flour is all incorporated. Don’t overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour/spoon batter into a lightly greased 9×5 loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the center of the bread is firm and bounces back. Let it cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes, and then transfer it to a wire rack. Cut when fully cooled and serve!

Notes:

1. If you don’t have tofu, you can also use ½ cup more of pumpkin purée or applesauce, 2 tbsp of flax/chia plus 6 tbsp water, or even two eggs if desired.
   
2. To make gluten-free, you can use 1 ¾ cup of Bob’s Red Mills GF all purpose baking mix in place of the flour.
   
3. If you want even sweeter bread, you can use no-sugar-added canned sweet potato purée in place of the pumpkin or even up the sugar a little bit if desired. I found the sweetness of this was perfect for my family.

Print This!

Pumpkin + Chocolate = Heaven On Earth!

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Do you like Great Harvest’s Breads? My family adores them! But now I’m glad we can enjoy a Great Harvest Bread and not have to travel all the way to get it! (This version’s lighter on the wallet, too.)

Do you find it easy to give blood/have blood taken? I react the same way when I ice skate as when I get blood taken. It’s all in if I just stay relaxed and breathe normally; if I don’t, then I can feel faintish; if I do, then I’ve come off conqueror.

Have any plans for President’s Day? Tomorrow is actually one of my bff’s birthdays, so I’m going to give her a call!

xoxox,