Matcha Green Tea Latte's Made Easy

Thank goodness the week is half over!! This morning started off with my typical breakfast of oatmeal and flatbread topped with peanut butter, 1/2 of a banana and a tiny spoonful of chocolate chips. My breakfast hit the spot and I headed into work. :)

Really tasty and simple!

Another busy day at the office so lunch came fast. I had packed some of my leftover tilapia from Monday. It was surprising good and not fishy at all. Apparently my eyes were to big this morning because I had enough green beans for a couple of days. Oh well!!

Even fish can make decent leftovers!

I got an awesome surprise for lunch. My brother's family decided to Skype with my dad and I at the office. It was so much fun to see them. Lil Lily said "Auntie indsay pretty," I have to say that she freaking made my day. I love being an Auntie!!

As soon as 4pm came I was off to my spinning class at Fly Fitness. Apparently everyone decided not to come to class today because the sun was shining. So it was just me and Tracy! We decided to mix up the class, we spent 35 minutes on the bike and then the rest of the class doing strength training. I really enjoy working out at Fly Fitness because every workout makes me feel energized!

When I got home I decided to make a protein shake: scoop of protein powder, 8 oz of milk, handful of ice and a 1/2 cup of blueberries. This shake was beautiful and tasted pretty darn good. I paired it with some leftover chile relleno casserole that was even better the second time. Reheating leftovers is just so convenient and easy, now I am able to enjoy the rest of my night reading, cleaning and relaxing.

Weird combo...not good together but seperately they are amazing!

I didn't feel like a big dessert tonight so I decided to make myself a semi homemade Matcha Green Tea Latte. My favorite indulgence at Starbucks is a Non-Fat Green Tea Latte but they are just so pricey. I was at QFC one day walking down the tea aisle and I saw that Tazo started distributing a liquid based matcha tea. This was so exciting to me because now I can have my favorite latte in the comfort of my own home and as a bonus I am saving myself money. The carton costs about $6 and will make 6-8 lattes. I usually pay $3.50 at Starbucks on each latte. My wallet and I win!!!

Easy, cheap and satisfying dessert!

You simply mix equal parts milk and matcha and heat (either microwave or stove top). After heating you have yourself a delicious Matcha Green Tea Latte! I recommend this to every tea lover.

I Love the UGI Ball!

Today started off with a great typical breakfast! Oatmeal, sandwich thin w/ ½ a banana and 6 mini chocolate chips.
I headed into work today and just felt like it was going to be a good day. For lunch, I had left over Corn & Shrimp Chowder w/ some carrot sticks and ½ an avocado. It was pretty darn tasty.

Yummy Leftovers!

I was excited to try a new workout class at Fly Fitness today called FlyFlex. I didn’t really know what to expect because all of the classes are so different. This is a great class to get bikini ready (I know it’s Seattle but a girl can dream of hot weather) because it focuses on all those trouble areas. We did some exercises that burned so good, think push-ups, triceps, squats, deltoids, core, hamstrings, glutes and any other part of your body you see as troubled.

We used the UGI ball a ton today and I am convinced that I want to purchase one of my very own. An UGI ball is the perfect combination of a medicine ball and exercise ball. Fly Fitness is the only gym in Seattle that has UGI ball focused classes.The UGI balls are 6, 8 10 and 12 pounds. Today we used the 8 lb UGI ball but last week for Organized Chaos we used a 10 lb UGI ball. Let’s just say that no matter the weight the UGI Ball will kick your butt! Check out UGI Fitness & Fly Fitness to learn more.

I've never used the 12 lb one...I feel like you have to work up to that!

They may look cute but they will kick your booty!

After my intense and satisfying sculpting class I headed to have dinner with my beau, who finally is back from travelling for a few days. He was so kind as to bake a chicken for me…okay he went and bought a baked chicken! This does bring up the question: Why would you ever bake a chicken when you can buy one for $6 that is perfectly moist and delicious? Dinner was paired with a small glass of wine and sautéed spinach, it was light and satisfying. Since I have a sweet tooth these days, he bought three different kinds of sorbet…mixed berry, mango and raspberry swirl. I of course insisted on eating a scoop of all three. J 

I don't play favorites with sorbet!

Now it’s time to give into my guilty pleasure called Winter Wipeout! I just love the show, commentators and contestants. I can’t wait for Spring Wipeout. 

Organized Chaos, Fish Tacos & Chocolate Cake in a Mug!

Today was an awesome busy day!

I had signed up for Fly Fitness's Organized Chaos, which is my favorite bootcamp after work. The class started at 4:15pm and I was ready to sweat and have a good time.

My favorite instructor was leading the class today, Tracy. She is the owner and founder of this amazing little studio. This workout had a little bit of everything but mainly focused on our booty! The workout included just about every piece of equipment in the studio (spinning bike, half stability ball, 10 pound UGI ball, 8 pound weights and an aerobic step). I love this workout because it shocks and energizes my body. 

After my exhausting workout I headed home to make a romantic dinner for my friend Mary. The menu consisted of Blackened Tilapia Tacos (Cooking Light) a healthier version of Chocolate Cake in a Mug.

I knew I was going to be in a bit of hurry cooking so I chopped the ingredients and measured the spices the night before. This is a great habit to get into its incredible how much time you save!!!

I have never cooked Tilapia before so I was a little nervous but this recipe turned out to be idiot proof. I cut the recipe in half and added a 1/2 cup of presliced cole slaw to the onion mix and it gave the tacos a wonderful crunch!

I give this recipe 5 stars, I will definitely add this to my recipe book.

After dinner, I started preparing my 5 minute dessert. The HEALTHIER version of chocolate cake in a mug, took 2 minutes to prep and 3 minutes to cook in the microwave. It came out looking a little funny but tasted pretty darn good! The cake is made with apple sauce instead of oil and egg white instead of eggs. I didn't feel as guilty eating the healthier version! Note: 2 people can share one mug and if you use a regular size mug the cake with bubble over the top. 

See it looks a bit questionable! 

DELISH and EASY!

What a great day! I love hosting dinner's for my besties...

Not in the Mood to Run...

I am an avid runner and most of the time I love running, but somedays it just doesn't seem fun. As a fitness fanatic I am always looking to find alternative forms of cardio and strength training to shock my body! :) 

Below are the best classes I have found! If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.

FlyFlex - Fly Fitness

This a new small gym located on Carillon Point in Kirkland. FlyFlex is a total body workout that slims your hips, tightens your thighs, lifts your bum and increases your metabolism. This is the best sculpting class I have been to because no class is ever the same. Tracy is the best and all the other trainers are equally great.

FlyCycle - Fly Fitness

This is another class offered at Fly Fitness. Flycycle is a traditional spinning class, 

you get it all…hills, sprints and endurance followed by abdominal and core exercise. The best part is that you are never looking at the clock. The instructors are awesome, the music is great, classes are small and again no class is ever the same! 

Organized Chaos - Fly Fitness
This is the best bootcamp on the Eastside! :) Anything goes with this ultimate calorie-burning workout! Each class is different, but every class is equally fun and challenging. 

Pilates w/ Gina - 24 Hour Fitness 

I absolutely love Gina's Pilates class at the Kirkland 24 Hour fitness on Thursday's. I have been a regular for about a year and I still find the class challenging, it works parts of your body that you always neglect. It is a great full body strength workout and if you are a member at 24 Hour Fitness the class is FREE (well sort of).

Zumba w/ Michaela - 24 Hour Fitness

This is an awesome workout! You shake you butt for 60 minutes and the last thing you are worried about is how you look because you are burning close to 500 calories. This class will up your energy and make you smile. Michaela is great and she really can shake it, the music is current and she is constantly changing the dances! Note: This class is always full so be prepared to get really close to your neighbors. :) 

Zumba w/ Quincy - Issaquah Community Center

This Zumba class is not as high intensity as the 24 Hour Fitness class but is still a great workout. The class is usually small, the demographic is a little older and the music is more classic Zumba music. Quincy is a great instructor, she is so encouraging. My favorite part of the class is when you get to put on a belly dancing skirt, believe me you will feel like a certified belly dancer. :) The first class is free, and the drop in rate is ONLY $6. You can also buy a package of 10 classes for $50, you can't beat those prices and the class is well worth the money. 

Barre3 - Barre3 Bellevue

This is an amazing class that combines ballet with yoga and pilates. This is the most challenging class I have taken in awhile. You are working muscles you haven't work in years, my legs were shaking 25 minutes into the class. I was lucky enough to do this class for FREE, when it first opened. The classes are a little expensive but well worth it, if you love the unique workout. It is a really great studio and they offer daycare for $5. Be on the lookout for locations opening up all around Seattle, because they usually offer FREE classes and discounted packages.

Hooping w/ Amanda - Sirin Hoops

This a great class to do w/ a group of girlfriends because it takes your back to your childhood. I took the beginners hoop class and it was so much fun, Amanda's excitement for hooping was contagious! The hour long class is a great low impact workout, you learn how to walk & hoop, hoop around your neck & arms and even dance while hooping. The best part was I was really sore the next day!! The first class is FREE and each additional class is $15. 

Yoga Classes - Luluemon

Lululemon offers yoga classes at their Bellevue Square location every Sunday at 9:30. The great part is they feature a different studio every month and all the classes are FREE. This is how I found about Fly Fitness my new favorite studio. I have been to these classes a number of times and have never left disappointed. I really enjoy being able to try different studios in the area without doing any research. I recommend joining their Facebook FanPage so you can get all the information.