Talk about coming back to earth with a thud, after having some time off its been back to it again this week! I generally like being kept busy, and as I decided to make some changes in how I manage my work load its been easier than it could have been. I used to try and multi task, but now I’m making a real effort to focus on one task at a time, and things like checking emails and social media has been kept to certain times so I’m not constantly checking things and losing my concentration!
At the weekend I made a lovely cottage pie which did us for two meals…
I love things like this – they taste so good, James likes it too, and it makes two portions. Cooking once and eating twice!
I’ve also been falling back on some simple meals while I’ve been busy, some of my favourites including steamed or roast veggies with some meat such as this harissa spiced pork chops and steamed kale and broccoli:
That was the first time I’ve ever tried pork chops and they were lovely! They went very well with the harissa. Then I tried some steak with roast squash and brussels:
Of course that’s not all I’ve been having, eggs with veggies and avocado and big salads with feta and olives have been great for lunches, always accompanied by some beef bone broth and some nuts to snack on afterwards:
Most mornings I’ve been having green smoothies after the gym as they are quick and easy to make and can be eaten on the go while I’m getting ready:
This was spinach, pear, chocolate sun warrior and kara coconut milk, yum!
For desserts I can’t seem to get out of the frozen berries and yoghurt ‘rut’:
I’ve been having some delicious Coyo this week, so sad that its now all gone! I have missed my carbs a bit this week, I think just due to rubbish planning on my part – it was so good to have some roasted squash and carrots for a few more starchy veggies once I’d got round to roasting them up. As always I’m experimenting with what works for me, and although a lower carb approach has been working for me recently, I have definitely been too low this week and I think my energy has suffered. I’ve been noticing lots of changes in my body since I started eating more meat, some positive and some negative. A wordy post is definitely in the pipeline!
Workouts this week…
- Weekend – REST + walk
- Monday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout legs, arms and abs, 10 min bike
- Tuesday – Power Yoga with Bryan Jones and Tara Stiles De Stress Yoga
- Wednesday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout chest, back, abs, 10 min bike
- Thursday – 30 minute intermediate Vinyasa Flow and Sadie 20 minute weight loss yoga
- Friday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout shoulders, abs, legs, 10 min bike
I have ended up doing some YouTube videos for yoga as when we have been sorting out cupboards at home James managed to move my workout DVD’s and I had no idea where to find them!
As it turned out it was a positive thing as I really enjoyed doing the YouTube videos for a change. They are definitely excellent for adding in more variety to your routine and avoiding boredom setting in!
On the Love List this week…
Earlier in the week I did my first Google Hangout Live Chat all about using Evernote for Health and Fitness with my lovely friend, fellow Evernote Ambassador Bryan from Singapore. It was so much fun! I really enjoyed doing it, you can watch the whole chat on YouTube if you would like to hear us waffle on ;-) Also…
Meeting with lots of Uniquely Healthy clients this week was wonderful! // getting excited about the future // the sunshine we had at the weekend // developing healthy eating and body image projects to do out in the community // emails from some lovely readers
In case you missed it…
- Where to save and where to splurge – healthy living
- Bacon, Squash and Almond Butter Salad Recipe
- Introducing Charlie from The Runner Beans!
- Healthy Breakfasts for Women on the go over at Uniquely Healthy
What’s on your Love List this week? Do you use YouTube for workouts? Any favourite videos?
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I love youtube for yoga videos, especially as you can choose anything you fancy as the mood strikes! Love the idea of your simple meals – protein + veggies. I need to get some more veggies in my life, have been relying way too much on salads recently. Yoghurt and frozen berries is such a great combo, I am a huge fan. And of course coyo always tastes amazing, so smooth and creamy. Have a brilliant weekend Laura!
Claire @ Flake And Cake recently posted..CrossFit: Double Winning
I do love a good salad as well but sometimes you just need some different veggies don’t you! Have a great weekend too!
Love when you waffle on :) Happy weekend, Laura!!
Rose recently posted..The Lovingest Friday Love List EVER
Haha, thank you!
I love YouTube videos to workout to. The can bring do much variety to home workouts. I’m seriously addicted to frozen fruit too. It’s like eating sorbet, yum!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..Dreams do come true
I love youtube for random workout videos, keeps things different and interesting. I love coyo, I managed to get one when I was briefly back in the UK, they are so expensive in Ireland I can’t justify buying them :P
Lauren (@PoweredbyPB) recently posted..WIAW- Pancake Day
I’ve only been able to get them when I’ve been in London which is probably not a bad thing for me or I’d be skint!
I really should look into you tube, but I find yoga hard to do when I am trying to look at the screen too. But I bet there are loads of fab ideas on there.
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted..Relaxing half term
Seeing your plates makes me realise that I seriously need to up my veggie intake!
Cottage pie is one of my all time favourites; it’s stopping at only a single portion that’s the trouble ;)
Jamie
Jamie Gibbs recently posted..Weigh-in and workout update
Try out the cauliflower topping and put lots of veggies in with the beef and then you can have more guilt free ;-)
I’ve been loving my smoothies this week, looking forward to your wordy post! Have a good weekend x
Tamzin recently posted..Moved in!
I need to look more into YouTube videos..I am definitely a bit of a gym bunny and with my current workouts involving a lot of weights it’s the only place I can do that really!
I’m looking forward to your wordy post..you always have really interesting things to say from your experiences :)
On the Love week this week for me is bringing eggs and more cheese into my diet, having the week off from uni woohoo!, lots of raw carob chocolates and a skype call with Emma and Leo for a whole afternoon haha!
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow lovie :) xxx
Nicky @kabochafashionista recently posted..Full Fat
Glad you enjoyed your week off! Disappointed I won’t be seeing you both today, great that you guys are on Skype, might have to try that some time instead? Raw carob chocolates sound amazing!
I’m too daft when it comes to technology for YouTube videos…I’d be lugging my laptop around everywhere with me squinting to see the screen. I really wanted to try Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown which is only available in the UK on YouTube – I’m sure even the Level 1 workout that’s around would be good enough! Even my Dad knows how to set his computer up so it plays through the TV…perhaps I should ask him to help me with it!
I love your thoughts and your wordy posts. Even if I don’t agree with some of the changes in lifestyle I respect your opinion on absolutely everything and you’re one of the few people who can change my mind/make me a more tolerant person
I do like Jillian’s Yoga one, the best thing about our DVD player is having youtube built into it! Thanks for saying that Jess, it does mean a lot :-)
Gah, the comment cut me off…
Anyway I was going to say enjoy the week-end and I hope this bloody second round of snow does not materialise.
xxx
Oh, I loved to see you life!! You are so pretty and have an awesome voice and that accent – I’d kill for the british one.
On and I’m an old fart when it comes to facebook or youtube – don’t use those much, just to congratulate my internet friends on their birthdays or to watch how to poach an egg :) That’s it! I’m in the back century!! :D
Greta recently posted..Sequin Dress
Aww thank you so much! Glad you like my accent ;-)
I’ve tried YouTube a few times but i prefer the free podcasts on itunes. They have loads of yoga, pilates etc that you can subscribe to for free. Have a great weekend!
I’ve used yoga download a few times but not any others – do you have some recommendations as I’d love to try more podcasts! Hope you have a good weekend too, despite the snow!
Is it me or did that snow just come out of nowhere? I was not expecting it.
Some Itunes recommendations -
Pilates, Yoga, Total Body, Meditation. (this is the name of all one podcast)
Yoga & Other Useful Stuff With Tara Stiles.
Yoga Journal.
On YouTube there is a woman called Denise Austin who does yoga, pilates and cardio. So far i’ve only tried the pilates but i liked the fact that it was quite fast so i didn’t get bored. I was out of breath after 15 minutes and didn’t struggle with any of the movements like i normally would as a beginner so i’ll definitely do it again! Have fun!
Tell me about it that snow completely caught me off guard! Thanks for those recommendations I’m going to check them out right now!
YouTube is just brilliant for work out videos, you can get pretty much any type. I always spend ages trying to find the one I want though as I’m so picky haha.
Mmm pork chops with Harissa paste sound really good. I have sme Harissa paste so I might give that a go!
Definitely give it a try its delicious!
Hey Laura I think I’ve shared some YT suggestions for yoga before but I have favourited (I think I made that word up) yogatic, plumtv and yogavidyaenglish. Yogatic is full of lovely Skandinavian accents to help even more with the relaxation!! MoonBodiesFitness also have an easy going attitude to it.
Couldn’t make the web chat sadly so will catch up on You Tube!! X
Going to check them out now, thanks!
I’m really looking forward to reading about your meat experiences. I haven’t eaten meat since I was 6 (or fish) and can’t imagine I ever will but I’m really interested in what you have to say, especially as you were completely vegan not too long ago. It’s one big old journey is the world of nutrition but I love hearing everyone’s “finding health” stories :-) can’t wait for our coffee date when the weather gets better! :-)
emma recently posted..My Favourite Things from the Last Few Weeks
You are absolutely right, it really is a journey and I think I’m learning just how different people’s paths can be to their own best version of health. Looking forward to coffee date too!