Woo! I am 14 days into the Whole Life Challenge and training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and let me tell you - it has been equally tough and rewarding.
I was doing SO well with my nutrition points every day... until Radiothon. Jackie & Bender’s annual One Big KISS for Seattle Children’s Hospital is my favorite event of the year (this year we raised ANOTHER $1 million dollars for the kids! YES!). I always go to the hospital on both days to hangout and help where I can. This year, though, I got really sucked into one of the stories, and five minutes later, found myself with tears in my eyes and a box of Thin Mints in my lap. Trouble.
Alas, I lost some points. BUT, I am seeing some awesome results! Seven pounds of pesky weight that has never gone away no matter how many times I went to the gym each week are now GONE (gone, I tell you!) and I’ve lost 2 inches off of both of my starting measurements. BOOM. Clearly, its working. Downside? All of my favorite jeans no longer fit! Well, I mean that’s a good thing and a bad thing all rolled into one (but an epic excuse for shopping).
How is the marathon training going for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon? I think its going well! I’ve been trying to amp up my amount of works outs both weeks, and I know that this challenge will really prep my body for all of the running I’ll be doing. I’m stoked! My hip flexors have been really sore, but I’ve found that with a lot of water, stretching, and being active every single day keep my legs feeling good.
With training for my first half marathon and participating in the Whole Life Challenge, I have found a ton of awesome new products that I want to share with you!
First up, my new kitchen obsession: the Ninja Express Chop food processor. This thing is amazeballs and helps with tons of different recipes and fun things.
When I first decided to make the Nom Nom Paleo Short Ribs, I realized that the recipe called for a blender or a food processor and, sadly, I had neither. So, I went shopping! I didn’t want to spend a ton of money, and didn’t want anything huge (our apartment is less than 500 square feet, after all). We went to a few different stores, and then landed at Target where we found this Ninja gem. At $19.99, its a steal (we even got ours on sale!), comes in a bunch of super fun colors, is compact, easy to clean, and efficient.
So, here is a ONE INGREDIENT recipe to use with your Ninja Express Chop (or blender!).
Banana Ice Cream
You’ll need:
2 bananas
1 baking sheet
a freezer
blender or food processor
Instructions:
- Peel the bananas and slice them into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
- Place slices evenly on the baking sheet
- Place baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour (or until frozen solid)
- After they’re frozen, simply drop the banana slices into your food processor and let’er rip!
- VOILA. Creamy, sugary, banana ice cream. SO DELICIOUS.
This is probably the easiest, simplest dessert to make, ever. You can get creative and (depending on what your diet allows), add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, cinnamon, peanut butter, or whatever you want to spice it up a bit. But in all honesty, you’ll be shocked by how sweet this recipe is! Really brings out the sugars in the fruit. A great way to take care of any sugar cravings.
Join me in getting fit and sign up NOW for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon!!! I’d love to see you there and cheer you on, too!!! Got any tips for me for really falling in love with running? Let me know!
XOXODanielle / @BonjourDanielle
