Winter Workouts

Winter to me means creative workouts indoors.  This year we have stepped up the home gym with a few new acquisitions.  It has completely taken over my dining room now and that's okay with me.  I like to see everything waiting for me to use it.  

The home gym.

We have a mirror on the wall behind me that we use to check our form.

Weights and Kettle Bells.  I love lifting weights!  It makes me feel so strong.

Power Blocks were recommended to me by a trainer friend and we picked up a used set through KIJIJI.ca and they have been fantastic.  This set is 5lbs-50lbs and they take up minimal room in my cozy house.

Hanging up are 2 jump ropes, 3 resistance bands and Adam's homemade TRX.  I am loving the new TRX for working my core.  I can workout for 10 minutes and my abs are super sore the next day.  I haven't done a crunch in 5-6 years because I discovered how wonderful planks and Pilates are for abs.  Now the TRX is going to take it to a whole new level.

We've got a step that Adam made me years ago, some exercise balls and the all important exercise diary.  I have been keeping a workout diary for a few years as well.  It's a great way to keep track of it all.  There is no guessing how may reps and what weight you used last time because it's all right there in the diary.

Some good pumping music is a must, as is this Yoga for Athletes book that I have continually checked out of the library (I really ought to just buy a copy already).  I do love to stretch.

The "TRX" ceiling mounts (rock climbing bolt anchors).

Grain Free, Gluten Free Almond Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

     I have been feeling great since mostly giving up grains and sugars but sometimes you just need a treat.  I have been making chocolate chip cookies as my go to treat for over 20 years now. (I'm not old I just started baking early!)  I need to come up with some delicious grain free treats that the whole family will eat so I surfed the blogs to find a good cookie recipe.  I was inspired by this blog so I went with my 6 year old to make them, however it just didn't seem right to my bakers mind that there were no eggs in the cookies.  So I started tweaking it and I ended up with these.  

Grain Free, Almond Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mix together until well blended.

1 cup almond flour

1/4 cup butter

Add and mix until well blended.

1 egg

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 tsp. almond extract

3/4 tsp vanilla

Add and mix.

1 cup dried unsweetened coconut

Add and mix.

1/3 cup chocolate chips (or raisins, dates nuts etc.)

Scoop out 1 Tbsp sized balls and press down slightly on baking sheet with fingers.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-11 min until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown.  Makes 32  1 Tbsp sized cookies.

The 2nd batch baking.

For the first batch we baked 12 and they went fast! 

Merry Trails and Happy New Beer Ride - December 29th

Adam and I went out to Dundas Thursday for a group ride.  A surprising 17 riders showed up for the 9am ride up the escarpment.  We have never ridden on the trails at Dundas before so it was great to have The conditions couldn't have been better everything was good and frozen .

The bike rode amazing It was super light and rolled like a dream.  I can't wait until spring when I can get it out and not have super cold toes!

Thanks to everyone that waited for us when Adam got his flat at the train tracks.  My usually super prepared husband felt terrible for holding everyone up in the cold.