Holy Blueberry Muffin Heaven

Wow...I have been the laziest blogger ever. Who knew being unemployed could be so busy, I have been running around with my head cut-off for the past two weeks. Today I was finally able to relax and actually do a couple of things that make me smile and happy.

I have still been waking up super early...5am. This is actually a good thing because I am able to check my email, apply for some positions, make a healthy breakfast and get my exercise done early.  Today's breakfast of choice was leftover oatmeal topped with delicious fresh fruit. I love that summer is right around the corner because fruit is my favorite breakfast/snack/dessert!

After breakfast was a killer BOSU Ball Full Body Workout. Everytime I do this workout it leaves my arms and legs feeling like jelly and my core burning. I guess this isn't the best way to promote a workout but in all honesty it's a wonderful full body workout that gets results. :)

I did pound a boring protein shake when I got home..no need for a picture or description. After getting myself ready I got bit by the baking bug. I bought a crate of fresh blueberries and really want to make something delicious. So I decided to look through my Cooking Light Cookbook and I found the perfect recipe BLUEBERRY POWER MUFFINS WITH ALMOND STREUSEL. Reading this recipe made my heart happy...123 calories for one muffin. :) Check out the recipe below:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt

1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Cooking spray

Streusel:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2) Mix dry ingredients together

3) Mix wet ingredients together

4) Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients

5) Fold in blueberries

6) Top with streusel and bake muffins for 15 minutes

This recipe is super easy and believe me these muffins are MUF-I-LICOUS! Best muffins I have ever baked.

Pretty much the perfect MUFFIN!

So satisfying..a blueberry muffin without feeling guilty!

I was still on my baking high when it was time to hit up the Melting Pot for happy hour with Mary. Check out my previous review of The Melting Pot Happy Hour. I love the fact that I can get fondue and a drink for $10! I mean that is pretty fantastic...and if you go with friends you can get out of there by paying less than $10 (without tip)...if you order beer! $3.00 pints are a MUST.

Today I smiled a lot because I was not only productive but I also made time to do things that make me happy such as baking, working out, socializing with besties and happy hour. Life is good even without a job!! :)

BOSU Full Body Workout

Today I wanted to make something new for breakfast today and I was inspired by Chocolate Covered Katie's Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal. She is one of my favorite bloggers because she has the most amazing recipes and personality.

Here is the recipe:

Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake
(Serves One!)

• 1/2 cup oats (50g)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• sweetener, such as 1 1/2 T maple syrup or 1 to 1 1/2 packs stevia (I omitted, but I’ve cautioned y’all before about my lack of sweet tooth.)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (60g) (Or sub banana… it’s awesome this way!)
• 1/4 cup milk, creamer, juice, or water (I used 60g)
• heaping 1/16th tsp salt
• Handful of chocolate chips (and a few for the top, too!)
• Optional: unless you like the taste of fat-free baking, add 1-2T oil, vegan butter, or nut butter (If oil, scale the milk back a little. If vegan butter, scale the salt back a little.)
• Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon (If you like cinnamon in chocolate chip cookies)

Pop the "Boatmeal" in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and bam you have the most delicious and healthy breakfast. (Stick back in the oven on broil for about 2-3 minutes if you want a nice crust)

I used a banana instead of applesauce and used a little more cinnamon than noted above and it was amazing. I made muffins out of this "boatmeal" recipe and they were so tasty! This is definitely going to be a breakfast stable for me. :) Thanks Chocolate Covered Katie.

I paired an amazing Cookie Dough Oatmeal Muffins with a hardboiled egg and a few fresh strawberries. :)

After enjoying my breakfast I decided to do some research on BOSU Stability Ball and create my own workout. I found some really helpful websites: BOSU Balance Trainer Total Body Workout and Ask The Trainer.

Here is the workout I came up with:

Warm-up: 10 Minute of Cardio on the Elliptical

(Do four sets of the workout below and follow the reps & times noted below)

Lower Body BOSU Workout

• Squat Jumps (60 sec, 45 sec, 45 sec, 30 sec)
• Squat with Overhead Press with 5lb weights (15, 10, 10, 5)
• Power Lunges (60 sec, 45 sec, 45 sec, 30 sec)
• Forward Lunges (15, 10, 10, 5)

Upper Body BOSU Workout

• Pushups (15, 10, 10, 5)
• Fly Exchange w/ 5lb weights (15, 10, 10, 5)
• One Armed Row w/ 5lb weights (15, 10, 10, 5)

Core BOSU Workout

• Full Crunch (15, 15, 15, 15)
• V-sit (60 sec, 45 sec, 45 sec, 30 sec)
• Plank (60 sec, 45 sec, 45 sec, 30 sec)

Cool Down: 10 Minute of Cardio on the Elliptical

This workout was very challenging and enjoyable. I can't wait to try it again!! :)

I headed home to have a healthy lunch that included a Mango/Cinnamon Smoothie and a big plate of veggies.

Handful of frozen mangoes

1 frozen bananas

1 scoop of protein powder

1 tsp of cinnamon

1 cup of almond milk

3 Carrots

1/3 of a cucumber

3 celery stalks

1/4 cup of garbanzo beans

 

This was the perfect post workout meal! I also was able to Skype with Lily today and she gave me lots of kisses...personally I think that is the best feeling in the world. :)