Do you hang out with people that help you spring forward or make you fall back?

I try to surround myself with people who bring out the best in me like you, and you, and especially YOU!

And, I have a tendency to weed out the people that hold me back like, well, like the energy drainers and chronic complainers, for example.

I have found my springs. The people who know more than I do, who train differently, who train harder, who eat better, who challenge me. These are the people who spring me forward.

I hope you find your springs this season, too. They’ll help you jump to the next level.

Now I really must grow.

When I was a kid I was on swim teams all year round. 

My favorite part of swim practice was the ride home. My carpool would split an entire bag of peanut butter cups. Nothing like fast acting sugars for post workout nutrition, right? Riiiggghhhttt!

Anywho, this weekend I was craving peanut butter cups so I popped into my station wagon kitchen to see what I could create. Since I  banned peanut butter from my house after too much spooning, I had to do a little improv. Speaking of improv…

Why did the vegetarians stop swimming?
They didn’t like meets!

I’ll be here all week.

Ok, back to the kitchen…

I tossed a handful of almonds into my Magic Bullet blender with a tablespoon or two of water to create instant homemade almond butter and then smothered it between a piece of extremely dark chocolate.

Needless to say my grown up almond butter cup turned out swimmingly!

Now I really must go brush up on my stand up and dive into another pool of chocolate.

Q. What do you get when you cross Rocco Dispirito and Joanna Sutter in the kitchen?

A. A HOT MESS!

And by hot mess I mean, Rocco is hot and my kitchen was a mess!

Let’s just say, I made one of Rocco’s cookie recipes three times before I got them right. THREE TIMES!  I nearly turned into a cookie monster after the second batch…and not the cute, cuddly kind that lives on Sesame Street. Next time I’ll just follow the instructions as they’re written the first time it will go as easy as an easy-bake oven. Backing up…

Dr. Oz had the good Chef Dispirito on his talk show the other day making healthy triple chocolate cookies, so, being the good healthy-living blogger that I am, I hunted down the recipe.

The secret ingredients in these good-for-you cookies? Egg whites and white cannellini beans. Before you start gagging, relax, you cannot taste the beans, I promise. And before you reach for your egg white substitute: STOP! they do not work in this recipe. You can make like Michael Jackson and beat it…and beat it and beat it and egg white substitute will not form soft peaks, I promise. Apparently, egg whites lose something in the heating and pasteurization process that keeps them from fluffing. Lesson learned. Twice.

Moving on.

Here’s Rocco’s recipe (shamelessly copied and pasted from the Dr. Oz web site) for…

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 cup canned white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tbsp light agave syrup (I used honey)
• 3 large egg whites
• 1½ cups granulated sugar substitute
• ¼ cup dark chocolate-covered cacao nibs
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine vanilla, cocoa, cannellini beans, and the agave syrup, and blend the mixture until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl halfway through blending.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whip attachment, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually beat in the sugar substitute. Continue to beat the whites until they are creamy and nearly stiff. Add 1/3 of the egg-white mixture to the cocoa bean mixture in the food processor. Blend to combine, for about 30 seconds. In 2 batches, fold the lightened cocoa mixture into the egg whites until they are almost fully combined. Add cacao nibs to the batter. Fold batter until cacao nibs are evenly dispersed and cocoa mixture is completely incorporated.

Drop mounded spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared sheets. Spread batter out to form cookies about 2½ inches in diameter. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookies.

Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pans one turn halfway through baking. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

The final result? Light, fluffy, cookies as yummy as Rocco.

Now I really must go tell Dr. Oz these cookies Rocco’d my world!

Have you had an aha moment lately?

I have.

According to Mutual of Omaha an aha moment is…”a moment of clarity, a defining moment where you gain real wisdom – wisdom you can use to change your life. Whether big or small, funny or sad, they can be surprising and inspiring. Each one is unique, deeply personal, and we think, worth sharing.”

Want to hear my latest aha moment?

Are

You

Ready?

This is groundbreaking.

Go get a pen. I’ll wait.

It might change your workouts forever.

This might be Nike’s next campaign.

Or finally get me an invitation on the Today Show.

Is your mind open?

Wait.

For.

It.

“THEY DON’T CALL IT A WORKOUT BECAUSE IT’S SUPPOSE TO BE EASY!”

- Joanna Sutter

AHA!

I wrote this down in my fitbook this week and looked at it in the gym every time I wanted to quit.

Or slow down.

Or pick up a lighter weight.

Or take the easy way out.

Think about it.

Really.

Think about it.

Then go.

Do the work. Get the results.

Have you had an aha moment recently? Do tell!

Now I really must go WORKOUT so I can look good for my morning show debut!

Today is the American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day. I challenge you to join me to grab your sole mate and carve out 30 minutes and take a hike walk! Why does the American Heart Association want us to walk?

Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:

• Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
• Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Improve blood lipid profile
• Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
• Enhance mental well being
• Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
• Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
• Reduce the risk of non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

Now I really must go…

Picking strawberries can be back-breaking work. I know, I’ve done it. Once.

This recipe I found in Health magazine will not hurt a bit, I promise. Here’s the scoop:

• 1 pint strawberries
• 1 T balsamic vinegar

Add the balsamic vinegar to your sliced strawberries and toss in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

It sounds kind of strange doesn’t it? Well, adding balsamic to the Vitamin C packed berries “brings out their subtle tartness,” according to the mag.

You can eat these flavor-infused strawberries right out of the bowl, as a dessert or side dish, or I think they’d be perfect on top of a simple spinach salad with some feta and toasted almonds. Don’t you?

Now I really must go get my strawberries out of the fridge before they turn into a jam!

Shay challenged me to create a mango protein shake under 200 calories. I did not dance around, I went straight to my blender and whipped up this low calorie, highly-delicious…

Mango Tango

• 1/3 cup frozen mangos [35 cals]
• 1/2 cup unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk – [25 cals]
• 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (not quite a ‘full scoop’) – [100 cals]
• 3/4 – 1 cup water
• Ice
• Stevia to taste

Combine all ingredients in a mixer. Blend. Garnish with one of those cute little umbrellas.

How does it taste? Exactly like a refreshing tropical vacation, minus the sand and cabana boy. But Shay didn’t ask for all that, so my work here is done.

Now I really must go give Shay a call and tell her to shake up some mangos and whey.

Creepy picture borrowed from awkwardfamilyphotos.com

10. Taking candy from strangers is a bad thing but taking candy from large rodents is not.

9. Hiding chocolate-filled Easter baskets is not such a bad thing.

8. Eating endless amounts of garden fresh veggies will not make you fat.

7. Barefoot running burns Cadberry Eggs calories.

6. Jelly beans are neither fruits nor vegetables.

5. It’s good to go green and eat local.

4. Easter is a great day to hang out with your peeps.

3. Some chicks dig guys with gray hare.

2. Carrots must be good for eyesight since rabbits don’t wear glasses.

1. Regular eggercise keeps your tail in good shape.

Now I really must go get off my keaster and wish you and yours a very hoppy Easter!

I love two carat diamonds, and as of last night, I’m wearing one! I’M OFFICIALLY ENGAGED!!!!

So, I thought we could celebrate with…

A Two Carrot Cake

• 3/4 cup shredded carrots (approximately…you guessed it…2 carrots)
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla protein powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar substitute
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I used So Delicious)
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (you could probably substitute pumpkin or applesauce if you’re not into healthy fats)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8×8 pan with Pam baking spray. In a large bowl sift together dry ingredients and then slowly whisk in additional ingredients. Fold in walnuts. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Once completely cool, refrigerate and serve chilled. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with walnuts.

Would I serve this to my wedding guests or bring it for Easter dessert? Probably not. But would I make this recipe for a healthier alternative to a carrot cake? Silly question!

I’m rather obsessed with carrots at the moment. Why?

• Well, we are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Easter, aren’t we?
• They are a great source of fiber
• They get an A in the Vitamin A category
• They help support your immune system
• They help maintain healthy skin
• They help regulate metabolism

What’s not to love? Speaking of love…

Now I really must go call my parents and tell them I’m not really engaged and wish you all a happy April Fools Day!

I’ll admit it, I have lazy bones. I blame society, it’s easier that way.

1. I blame the U.S. Postal service for making drive-up mail boxes.
2. I blame banks for drive-thru tellers and drive-up ATM’s.
3. I blame fast food restaurants for making it way too easy to eat on the go.
4. I blame restaurants for having valet parking.
5. I blame my gym for having valet parking (although I swear I’ve never used it!)
6. I blame airports for escalators and moving walkways.
7. I blame dry cleaners for having drive-thru pick up and delivery service.

Back in the day there weren’t drive-thru anythings. And now everything is easy as pie to get to by car. No wonder I have lazy bones.

So, I propose we get out of our cars and start the Walk-Thru Diet instead of the drive-thru kind. I’ll start…

• I’m actually going to walk to the mailbox instead of driving by on my way to the gym
  
• I’m actually going to get out of my car to get my Starbucks fix on my way home from the gym
• I’m actually going to park a little further away from WHEREVER I’m going

Little changes, big differences.

Now I really must go dust off my lazy bones and take another step in the right direction!