Peppermint patty

It had to happen.

tea

After posting about the dark chocolate almond milk yesterday, you guys started flooding my brain with amazing chocolaty almond suggestions. I knew it would be good in smoothies and baked goodies, but hadnโ€™t even thought about heating it up to make hot chocolate or, as Vanessa suggested, steeping mint tea in it.

I was all over that.

tea (2)

I heated up the dark chocolate milk + a little plain almond milk to thin it out โ€“the chocolate milk is THICK- for about 1 min 30 sec in the microwave. Added the tea bag,

made my eggs and toast

eggs and toast

and then heated again for an additional minute.

It was the perfect morning pick-me-up and tasted SO much like those York peppermint patties!! This will be a holiday staple over here ๐Ÿ™‚

Pre-chocolate and egg feast, I hit up the base gym for a killer arms workout:

Arms Workout

[If you plan on doing this on your own, check with a doc before making any fitness changes]

Warm-up 5 minutes, elliptical
Side laying lateral raise- right side 15 reps
Bench push-ups 15
Side laying lateral raise-left side 15
Bench push-ups 15
*Repeat lat raise combo and push-ups 2 more times, to get 3 sets total  
Bench tricep dips 3 sets of 12
Lat pulldown 3 sets of 12
Sumo deadlifts 3 sets of 12
Bicep curls Countdown reps *More info on this at the bottom of the post

Itโ€™s someone specialโ€™s birthday next week โ€“and heโ€™s actually home for it this year!- so I have some birthday fairy errands to run ๐Ÿ˜‰

Enjoy your day and Iโ€™ll see ya later!

bell

xoxo

Gina

Todayโ€™s tip: Countdown reps! This is an awesome way to burn out at the end of a workout. My favorite moves to do this with are leg presses, bicep curls, and tricep dips, but the options are endless.

[Even though youโ€™re doing a lot of reps, be sure to chose a weight that enables you to maintain proper form the entire time]

-Start with 10 reps

-Then do 9

-8, 7, 6 and so on

-Then when you get to the last set, instead of doing 1, do 10. Whew!

Post Navigation:

52 Comments

  1. Amanda @ JustAmandaJ on October 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    Not a tea fan but you did just remind me to go get some peppermint extract!

  2. Liz @ Tip Top Shape on October 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    Brilliant idea!! Now I want one! lol

  3. Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen on October 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    That sounds delicious! I had been doing TJ’s red chai steeped in vanilla coconut milk for a while as an afternoon work treat. Steeping tea in milk is such a great way to treat yourself without really going over the top. It feels so indulgent!

  4. Krystina (Organically Me) on October 18, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    That’s SUCH a good idea. I’m on it. ๐Ÿ˜€

  5. Cat @Breakfast to Bed on October 18, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    I know you’re pregnant, but you won’t always be. I LOVE dark chocolate almond milk with godiva coffee liqueur. Oh lawdy. So good.

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2011 at 12:26 pm

      i just heard an angel sing. i’m excited for the day i can add some baileys or vanilla vodka to it, too

  6. Vanessa @ Swift as Shadows on October 18, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    In so glad you loved it. =) I’m heating some up right now!
    BTW, thank you so much for linking to my blog — it means a lot.

  7. Emily @ Gltiz Glam Granola on October 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Ohh I love the idea of doing dark chocolate almond milk and peppermint tea! I bet a chocolate peppermint smoothie would be amazing as well! The perfect night time treat! And wow, that countdown workout sounds hard but awesome!

  8. Lindsey @ SoundEats on October 18, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    BRILLIANT!! Peppermint tea is one of my favorite things, and I love having it as a de-stressor after a long day. I feel like adding the dark choc almond milk would be something I would LOVE, plus it would be a great sweet something to distract my massive sweet tooth. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  9. Kate on October 18, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    I dont like peppermint but I love chocolate almond milk warm!

  10. Ali @ Peaches and Football on October 18, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    That sounds like a super idea! I’ve been trying to ease off the coffee bandwagon anyway. Now another good reason to switch to tea!

    For whatever reason, your egg looks especially delicious today. Maybe that’s a signal it’s lunchtime here ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Amy Ramos on October 18, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    OMG!! That sounds delicious. Since I can not have coffee, this might be my go to drink in the morning-esp since it is getting chily!!
    and thanks for the arm workout session. I have to limit my exercise too but I think this will be good for m
    This lack of coffee and limit exercise better pay off soon (it has to relate to fertility treatments)

  12. sherice on October 18, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    the countdown reps, aren’t those also called drop sets or is that something different.. those confuse me but I’m always making things harder than they have to be.. oh I’m a mess I tell ya!

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      for drop sets, i do each set with a lighter weight. so i’ll do 12 reps with a SUPER heavy weight, 12 reps with a moderate weight , and 12 reps with a lighter weight. i call those drop sets since you are literally dropping the weights and replacing them with one slightly lighter (which will feel just as heavy). but i could be mistaken

  13. lisanne on October 18, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    peppermint patties and almond milk are just about my favorite things ever, but i’ve never tried the chocolate kind…. i can’t wait to make this! i usually steep green tea in hot vanilla almond milk which is lovely too.

  14. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on October 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I never used to like tea but I am slowly starting too! Wegmans has a tea bar that is phenomenal! That’s so exciting the pilot will be home for his birthday! I know you’ll make it really special!

  15. mary on October 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Yum, I think I’ll try the ‘cold w/mint extract’ version here. I like the Silk Almond Milk but I wish the dark chocolate flavor was more like DARK chocolate. I guess because it’s milk, but it’s pretty sweet and milk-chocolatey to me.

  16. April @ Grits and Granola Bars on October 18, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    Steeping tea in milk honestly never crossed my mind…but right now I have some Sweet Thai Delight steeping in hot almond milk and I am SO EXCITED!

  17. Julie on October 18, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I love that mug!

  18. Caitlin on October 18, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    The eggs/salsa look so good. I LOVE eggs/salsa!
    Thanks for the workout idea w/countdown reps! Never heard of that before. The 10 at the end will slam me! Kinda reminds me of drop sets which I did yesterday with biceps – OW.

  19. Jill on October 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    So sad I’m sitting at work and can’t go make that RIGHT THIS SECOND.

  20. Ali on October 18, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Yum! That chocolate tea looks amazing! Have you tried it with chai tea?! I LOVE chocolate and chai, I think they are a match made in tea heaven.

  21. marissa on October 18, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    YUM!!! that sounds soo good..what a good combo..chocolate and mint!!

  22. Amanda on October 18, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I’ve been loving the TJ’s mint melange tea lately. It’s also really good iced!

  23. Jen@FoodFamilyFitness on October 18, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Peppermint, chocolate and tea. You can’t go wrong!!!

  24. Clare @ Fitting It All In on October 18, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    sounds amazing! totally doing that with my hot chocolate and tazo refresh tea:)

  25. Anna @ The Guiltless Life on October 18, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I’m heading to the gym on my lunch break today and wanted a new routine to shake things up – thanks!

  26. J on October 18, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Yummm, this sounds delish! Another to try that I LURVE:

    Seep one mint tea and one french vanilla tea in mug half-filled with water. When done, top off with almond milk (or other type of milk) and stick in the microwave for a minute.

    AMAZING.

  27. Umm… I LOVE the idea of steeping mint tea in the chocolate almond milk!

    And I love seeing pictures of Bella. My dog’s back home at the moment, and her face looks a lot like Bellas. ๐Ÿ™‚

  28. Katie @ Peace Love and Oats on October 18, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    what a good idea!!!! mint and chocolate milk! I love putting tea flavors into things to mix it up!

  29. Roselyn @ A Balanced Fit on October 18, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    Thanks for sharing the peppermint patty tea concoction!! Gonna try!

  30. Natasha on October 18, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I will have to add chocolate almond milk to my shopping list this week….thanks for the idea!

  31. Anna @ On Anna's Plate on October 18, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    My husband uses peppermint extract for stomach problems, so we always have a ton in the house– I bet a few drops would be delicious in the milk!

  32. Orla on October 18, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Hmm…..I don’t know how this never occurred to me, but this makes me think regular milk chocolate milk heated up might taste a bit like hot chocolate?? This could make my diet a lot easier to bear ๐Ÿ˜€

  33. Kacie on October 18, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Your arm workout was perfect timing! I knew I wanted to do arms before zumba tonight but hadn’t thought of a workout yet. Thanks for doing the work for me ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      it’s zumba and arms day over here, too ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. Yolie @ Practising Wellness on October 18, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Countdown reps sound awesome! ๐Ÿ˜€ I’ll definitely have to include those in my next workout – what a great idea! I’m stoked to do that with leg presses ๐Ÿ™‚ Mmmm…that dark chocolate almond milks sounds divine with the mint in it – what a FAB idea! Have a lovely day! <3 xyx

  35. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on October 18, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Mmm, that tea sounds great. I rarely make tea but I bet the minty chocolate is the perfect combo.

    Have a great day, Gina ๐Ÿ™‚

  36. Jennifer on October 18, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    Gina, I hate to just randomly stick this in here since it has nothing to do with today’s topics but I wanted to say thanks for the Udi’s suggestion last week. (I asked about the best Gluten Free bread for a child.)

    We wanted something the rest of the family could eat too so that he wouldn’t feel like he was different. I also wanted something I wouldn’t have to try to ‘trick’ the little ones with. I actually loved the texture for toast and will be eating it myself for toast/grilled cheese from now on. Thanks again for taking the time to suggest it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  37. Angela @ PattycakesnPancakes on October 18, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    What a great combo!! I can’t wait to try it!

  38. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on October 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    My roommate used to make that chocolate milk + mint tea combo all the time last year! I seriously thought she was a genius when she first showed it to me. It’s amazing! ๐Ÿ˜€

  39. Leslie Wingate on October 18, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    Oh my gosh. I want that drink stat! I’m trying to figure out which protein powder to start buying, and I want to cry. I can’t spend TOO much, and this website made my head spin.
    http://www.nutribodyprotein.com/protein-types.php

  40. Nicole @ Giraffelegs on October 18, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Yum, that sounds amazing!!
    P.S. You have inspired me to start weight training. Before that I was solely a cardio girl, but I already feel stronger! (and my butt kills!)

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      whoo hoo! i used to be a cardio only girl too, but weights are easy to get hooked on. plus, the results are awesome!

  41. Heather on October 19, 2011 at 7:44 am

    What an awesome idea for a warm, comforting drink! I neeeed that ASAP. I wonder how the dark chocolate almond milk would hold up in making a homemade chocolate sauce? ๐Ÿ™‚

  42. Haley @ Fit, Young, and Fabulous on October 19, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    AHHHHH! That sounds SOOO delicious!! It might be good with Chai as well!! OHhhh my goshh. I need to make a store trip to pick some up RIGHT NOW! (:

  43. Amanda on October 23, 2011 at 10:19 am

    I LOVE, LOVE the minty hot chocolate, so delicious! Especially now that’s it’s fall, it’s a perfect soothing treat!

  44. Jennifer on January 11, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Hi Fitnessista! Congrats on your little bundle ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m due with our first baby June 10th! We are so excited!!! I have a question about the above arm routine… How do you do your sumo dead lifts, and are they safe while preg?

    • Fitnessista on January 11, 2012 at 3:00 pm

      thank you! they’re safe if your body is used to it, and if the belly doesn’t get in the way. i got to the point where my belly was too big to keep doing them

  45. erin on February 3, 2012 at 11:13 am

    i just did this arm workout – it was great! thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Fitnessista on February 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm

      awesome- glad you liked it!

  46. October Blog Love on December 30, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    […] Gina at Fitnessista gives you a peppermint patty drink recipe and a killer workout, all in one post: Peppermint Patty […]

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.