Favorite Things Thursday: My Fitness Pal

One of the great things about maintaining this blog is that it allows me to see what I'm eating and keeps me accountable.  While I've never been one to "diet," per se, I do try and keep track of what I eat and not go too overboard.  With the wedding coming up, I'm watching more zealously than ever.

Enter, of course, My Fitness Pal - an app that lets me keep track of everything I eat (with a handy dandy barcode scanner) as well as all of my physical activity and measurements.

These are not my screen shots (I wish I was permitted 2100 calories a day!)

Once you sign up for an account, you enter your current weight as well as what you hope to weigh (in 5 weeks), and your level of daily activity.  The app calculates everything from there, and it's easy as pie can be!  I have the app on my phone and tablet, and the website is my homepage at work so I never miss a calorie (taken in or burned).

While keeping track of my calories is NOT my favorite thing, this does make it easier and for that I am thankful.

And no, I'm not getting paid for this post (only big time bloggers get paid, peeps).

Images via www.fitcrazy.tv

The Saturday Sip: Vanilla Berry Protein Smoothie

I know I talk about the wedding a lot around here, peeps, and for that I apologize.  I have been eating and sleeping (and sweating and stressing) wedding non-stop since 2013 came rolling in.  Part of my plan to alleviate stress AND get ready for doomsday the big day involves barre amped classes at Above the Barre.

The classes are freakishly intense and, while I'm thrilled with the results I'm seeing it is VERY difficult being sore 24/7.  Enter protein smoothies.

We always have these big containers of whey protein in the kitchen . . . time for me to take advantage!

I knew I wanted my protein smoothie to be berry-based, with a bit of greens and NO dairy, so I concocted the following recipe (which makes enough for two people):

1 cup frozen, mixed berries (or any frozen fruit of your choosing)
1 cup light vanilla soymilk
1 heaping scoop of vanilla whey protein
2 huge handfuls of spinach

Throw it all in a blender, blend, and enjoy.  I usually end up adding a little ice to the blender, to make them nice and thick.  If you prefer a less frozen texture, this recipe should work just fine!

Spinach?  What spinach?  You can't even taste it, peeps!

This bag is a pretty good visual interpretation of the smoothie:

Reed Krakoff via Bergdorf Goodman

Deep berry hues on the outside and a nice vanilla finish on the inside.  Now if only the bag could help ease sore muscles, too . . .