Blueberry muffins with almond streusel

Dinner last night was leftover chinese, sauteed mushrooms and shallots (siracha, soy sauce), and fried rice. I couldn't be bothered to do any actual cooking other than the vegetables. Our fridge was totally empty too!

I ate store bought apple pie and hazelnut sponge cake while watching One Tree Hill. Talk about a blast from the past... I haven't watched that show in years, but somehow managed to keep up with the storyline like a bad soap opera :)

 This morning, I was in a baking mood so I decided to make some blueberry muffins from this cookbook:

I've had this cookbook for a few years now and I always go to it when I'm craving something delicious, but also on the healthy side.

I made blueberry muffins with almond streusel on top. As always, I didn't follow the directions completely and they turned out pretty good but I think they could have been better if I had just followed the streusel recipe correctly. Instead of chopping the slivered almonds into smaller pieces, I left em in their original form, which made for the topping a bit too chunky texturally instead of crunchy, as it probably should have been.

Below is the recipe I found online. The only thing I changed was I used skim milk instead of 2% milk.
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/blueberry-power-muffins-with-almond-streusel-10000000671030/

my poor excuse of an almond streusel topping

nice and golden blueberry muffins

No surprise here as I ate one straight outtadaoven ;)

I just couldn't help myself. Seriously.

After my lil baking fiesta, I went to the gym and did a quick warm up on the treadmill for 6 minutes starting with some light jogging, and afterwards did a chest and tricep session.

10 reps, 3 sets

• Barbell bench press (15kg)
• Tricep kickback (5kg dumbbells)
• Cable chest fly 
• overhead tricep rope extension on pulley machine
• incline chest press (5kg dumbbells)
• tricep dips on bench
• Stretches

After the gym, I made myself a quick muscle recovery protein smoothie and then followed it later with some lunch.

• almond milk
• frozen banana
• scoop protein powder
• frozen berries
• agave nectar
• toppings: sprinkle of cranberry and maple muesli

Just a simple turkey sandwich dressed up with lettuce, avocado, mayo, siracha, and a side of mature cheddar and onion kettle chips-- yum!

I have a strong desire to be productive today but my eyes want to shut for some reason.. I think a nap may be in order for this afternoon.

Naked, I mean Nakd

I love when I accidentally discover delicious gluten free snacks. When you are forced to follow a certain diet, it's always comforting to find foods that resembles what you were used to eating so you don't feel like you're missing out. Since I liked the cashew Nakd bar so much, I decided to try the cocoa bar and it was just as good-- it had a nice, sweet balance of chocolate and dates.

Gym time yesterday: Chest/Back/Abs, 3 sets, 10-12 reps

• Seated row (15 kg)
• DB chest press on a stability ball (5kg weights)
• Lat pulldown (20kg)
• Pushup
• Assisted pullups
• DB fly on a stability ball (3kg weights)
• side plank dips
• reverse crunch 
• straight leg up and down
• regular crunches

okay.. I might be overdoing it on the GF snacking but I can't help it! Whenever I try something new, I like to try it all :) These jammies were really good- almost tasted like the real things but this cookie was a lot more crumblier in texture.

lunch was leftover shepherd's pie and sauteed bok choy- my fav!

afternoon snack- GF veggie chips, refried beans, and salsa. My version of nachos w. out the cheese :)

Dinner: I ate this while watching Jennifer's Body- The movie was quite cheesy but I actually found Megan Fox's acting to be alright!!

leftover lamb w. brown rice

I also threw together a sloppily made caprese salad because I was too lazy to cook some vegetables...

my botched attempt at cinnamon/allspice sunny side up eggs!

After breakfast, I trekked out to the gym in the gunky weather (it's raining!!!) and ran for 45 minutes on the treadmill. I was quite happy because I got to watch rerun of the Man U vs. Tottenham football match and run. Call me a weirdo but I luuuuuurve <3 watching sports when working out. It almost beats watching Sports Center.. ..almost... It was nice doing a longer run today. I think my plan is to incorporate more cardio. Here's my tentative workout schedule for the week.

• Monday- Weights (Chest, Back, Abs)
• Tuesday- Run
• Wednesday- Punch class, weights (Legs-hams, glutes, Shoulders, abs)
• Thursday- Run
• Friday- Weights (Biceps, Triceps, Legs-quads, abs)
• Saturday- Run
• Sunday- Day of rest :)

Yuuuuumm- my smoothie was extra delicious and sweet today. I think I might like my smoothies more when I don't add any spinach to them. I'm sort of over the spinach for now..

• almond milk
• frozen banana
• frozen blueberries
• scoop protein powder
• ice cubes
• squeeze of agave nectar 
• sprinkle of cold water
• Toppings: Muesli, almonds, dark chocolate chips

 

Agenda: Study Chemistry- Hip Hip Hooraay! :-P, teach Zumba, salsa class, relax