WSU Week 3 and a Thank-you Giveaway
Hey everyone!! Hope youโre having a happy Monday so far ๐
Weโre back in Valdosta and getting back to the grind over here. Even though I have a boatload of laundry and cleaning to do, it always feels nice to come back to the casa after sleeping in a hotel for a couple of nights. I like our house, I guess ๐
1. The Winter Shape Up
I didnโt design new workouts for this week because there are two that Iโd like love for you to try if youโre participating in the shape-up.
Beginners: (from this post)
–jumping squats (1 minute)
–wall push-ups (1 minute)
–couch dips (30 seconds)
–high knees (1 minute)
-plank (20 seconds)
–side plank (20 seconds)
-switch to the other side (20 seconds)
–plie squat (1 minute)
–chair calf raise (1 minute)
–Pilates swimming (1 minute)
* Repeat the entire circuit 2-3 times
Int/Advanced: (from this page)
1. Bent-Over Row and Kickback
It works: Latissimus Dorsi (Back) and Triceps
Make sure to keep your back flat and squeeze your shoulder blades together
Focus on the back of your arms (triceps) as you bring the weights back- do not bring them higher than your back
2. Plie and Bicep Curl (I would reduce the amount of sets of this one to 1 or 2 since the following exercise works similar muscle groups)
What it works: Biceps, Inner thighs, Glutes (booty) and Quads (top of thighs)
Feet a little further than shoulder-width with toes pointing outward
Keeping your elbows next to your body, curl the weights up and plie- think about squeezing your biceps and thighs as you do so
3. Ballerina Plie
What it works: Quads, Inner thighs, Glutes (booty) and Calves
Same kind of move- holding a dumbbell and remaining on your toes the entire time. Remember to keep your back straight
4. Chest Flye and Reverse Crunch
This works: Chest and Abdominals
Keep your weights from touching the floor and try to keep your legs at the same angle they were at on the ground and crunch your abs. As you gently bring your feet back down, bring the weights back together and squeeze your pectorals (chest).
5. Lunge and Lateral Raise
This works: Quads and Shoulders
Make sure to sink straight down (instead of forward) bending both legs and do not let your front knee extend past your front toe. As you lunge, bring the weights up to shoulder height.
6. Oblique Crunch with Dumbell
Works obliques
Remember to exhale as you crunch up and try to reach for your toes with the weight
7. Swimming back extension
Works: Lower back (erector spinae) and the backs of your shoulders (rear deltoids)
Squeeze your shoulder blades together as you bring your arms back
Repeat the entire circuit 2-3 times
2. The Raw Cacao Crunchies
So, remember the raw cacao cookies I made last week?
When I did another recipe test last night, the dough came out like this:
Can you believe thatโs RAW?!
Not to do any horn-tooting or anything, but that cookie dough is everything I wanted it to be ๐
I even had a hefty little taster to make sure ๐
I rolled out the raw cacao cookie dough:
Cut it into cute little hearts,
and put it into the dehydrator to dehydrate to perfection for 24-36 hours.
I canโt wait to see how they turn out! I have a good feeling about them ๐
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January 2010 was the best month the bloggy has EVER had! Thank you SO so very much for reading my little blog and for sticking around with me- I hope you know how much I appreciate it <3 You all make this such a fun place to talk about food and fitness, and Iโm very lucky to โknowโ all of you.
As a little thank-you,
Iโll send half of the raw cacao cookies to a lovely bloggy ๐
(+ some fun goodies Iโll throw in there)
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me which dessert youโd love to see a raw version of.
For me, itโs Funfetti cake! Itโs my mission to do it one of these days ๐
Iโll pick the cookie winner tonight at midnight EST.
Ready, setโฆ. GO!
<3
I would love to see a recipe for raw cheesecake! I’m a vegan now and I really miss cheesecake.
Dark chocolate anything or key lime anything.
I would love to see a raw version of Banana Creme Pie. It isn’t my favorite, but my husband would swim in it! I would love a raw version to soothe his sweet tooth and make me feel better than he’s getting a healthier version of his favorite treat! Funfetti cake..hmm..that would be an interesting one.
I would love to see a raw version of reese’s peanut butter cups.
honestly, these cocao crispies are the ones i’d really love to taste!
congrats girl, and I LOVE reading your blog ๐
WOW, congrats on your best month yet! I hope it’s a continuing trend ๐
You always have my mouth watering with your raw ice cream concoctions. YUM.
I’d like to see if anyone can do a raw triamisu. It’d be pretty beat!
Anything with Dark Chocolate!! <3
I would love a way to make a raw keylime pie.
Can one make raw cupcakes? I am a sucker for a cupcake.
Mint chocolate oreo ice cream ๐ my favorite… don’t know if you can make oreo’s raw though
All of your raw desserts always look amazing; how about a coconut cream pie?! I usually do not comment, but I love reading your blog…it definitely helps make the workday go by quickly!
Congratulations on the great month! ๐ I would love, love, love a raw version of chocolate lava cake…yuuuuuummmm!!!!!!!
๐ The raw version of banana bread!!!
-I would also like to say…my arms are so sore I can barely type this, thanks G! <3
Um…creme brulee?? Good luck with that one though!
I want a RAW “Pizoooooooooookie!” I know you can make it happen girl!
I would love to see a raw version of gooey butter cake, I am not sure it is possible… but it is a great cake to EAT!! ๐
thanks for holding this wonderful giveway! i’d love to see a raw version of red velvet cupcake!
I would love to see raw oreo style cookies. YUM!
Brianna
I’d love to see raw peanut butter cups!
Donuts. I do love a good donut, but I will not eat them for their nutritional value (or lack thereof). Raw donut holes would be lovely
I’d love to see a raw tiramasu. Love that one and miss it since I gave up dairy.
a healthy (let alone raw!) version of buttercream frosting would be my dream!
Chocolate chip cookies, or dark chocolate bars are my favorite kinds of dessert. OMG I want that raw cookie dough!! You rock Gina ๐
A raw Oreo or Reese’s PB Cup would be awesome!
Vegan raw Tiramusu!!!!
How about raw boston creme pie?? Love your blog ๐
How about Tiramisu? my personal favorite ๐
I love your blog! I just found it very recently and am now an avid reader. Hearing about strength training always makes my day because so many bloggers only focus on cardio. Thanks for doing a giveaway! Hmmm… a raw dessert. Um… an M&M sugar cookie ๐ They are my favorite.
I’m always fascinated by your raw desserts! Admittedly I’m curious about cake – specifically, a vanilla bean flavor! And in cupcake form! Mmmm….
I would love a recipe for raw peanut butter cups.
Hey! Those cookies look a.m.a.z.i.n.g! I need to buy myself a dehydrator for an early bday present ๐
Anyways, one of my favorite can’t-pass-up-in-any-bakery-anywhere dessert would be an ECLAIR. It would be awesome to see some kind of dehydrated/hardish outside with some sort of creamy mixed inside.
Might be a fun challenge! Good luck with the giveaway!
-Jenna
Bread Pudding!
I would absolutely love to see a raw version of the Key Lime Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! Hands-down the best dessert ever!!
And those cacao nibs look so delicious!
That is SO awsome that your amazing blog had it’s best month yet! I would love to try a raw sugar cookie with buttercream frosting. They are my family’s best cookie recipe that everyone asks for.
Keep up all the good work. I LOVE your workouts and how much you inspire us all to stay fit and live the best life we can. Thank you for all your hard work!
I’m with you,gina on the Funfetti cake. yes please!
I would love to see a raw version of Divinity! Yummmm ๐
Creme brรปlรฉe and Italian Cream Cake are my favorites but I doubt they could ever be raw. ๐
Girl, I’m with you on the Funfetti cake. It’s one of my favorites!
Keep those raw cookies comin’! I LOVE cookies, so I’d be glad to eat raw ones. ๐
Cheescake… with or with our chocolate!!
mmm..That cookie dough looks fab! I would loveee a healthy raw version of a chocolate chip cheesecake!
funfetti sounds good to me!
Congrats on your blog success! May it continue fo’eva and eva…
I would love to see you do raw cupcakes, complete with frosting! I’m sure they’d be adorable. Maybe you could incorporate the funfetti there. ๐
Sounds like a really fun and easy workout! The cacao cookies are still my favorite.
raw tiramisu would have to be the best!!
Hi! could you try a raw lemon square?
I wish you could share the recipe for those malted chocolate tarts ๐ looks so delicious ๐
blueberry muffins!!
you are increds… im craving a mock baklava… could be a challenge haha
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BROWNIES but they have to be chewy ones ๐ YUMMY!!!!