Month: November 2014

Gwen’s Breakfast Bites

Gwen shared two of her favorite morning bites for you to enjoy.  Her protein pancakes are great when you have some time to make them fresh OR if you want to make ahead, they are fantastic rewarmed.  When I say time…this is in Gwen/Sarah defined 15 minutes.  Yes, that is a lot of time in our schedule :)  I am new to the whole chicken and waffles breakfast experience, but her southern charm had me excited to give it a try!  Gwen’s Chicken and Waffle alternative is great for grab and go! I make my own maple butter with REAL maple syrup mixed with REAL butter softened and then put in the fridge for yumness on hand.

Gwen’s Protein Pancakes
Beat until smooth:
1 Cup Oats
1 Cup Vanilla Yogurt
6 Eggs
1 Tsp Cinnamon
Coconut Oil to grease skillet, heat to medium
make you some pancakes and LOVE THEM

Gwen’s Chicken and Waffles
Microwave until warm:
Organic/Hormone Free Chicken Sausage Patties
Toast to desired burntness:
Sprouted Grain Frozen Waffles
Add some maple butter and BOOOOOM, Southern Goodness, Nom Nom

Gwen’s AM Thigh Burner

Okay people…this one had me sweating!  It is quick, so keep your form while speed counts.  Gwen put me to the test and I enjoyed every second of this workout and hope you do too.  It took us less than 30 minutes and is perfect for a busy day.

Warm-Up: Half Mile Run

Workout: 3-part Circuit
Part 1
(10) Balance Squats
(10) Reverse Lunges
30 Second Rest
REPEAT (2 SETS)

Part 2
(15) Barbell Dead Lift
(15) Barbell Side Lunge
30 Second Rest
REPEAT (2 SETS)

Part 3
(20) Hip Raises
(20) Swimmers
30 Second Rest
REPEAT (2 SETS)

Cool Down: Stretch
Head Rolls 15 Sec (L/R)
Shoulder Rolls 15 Sec (Back/Forward)
Reach to sky – to – Toe touch 15 Sec (repeat)

Inspired by Microsoft Fitness App – Six Moves for Slimmer Hips and Thighs

My day with Gwen

Three months ago I was able to have a day with my friend Gwen and her husband. Although this was just one day in a very busy weekend, it kept me looking forward to Success School 2014 and a welcomed distraction to my dissertation studies.

AdvoCare’s Success School is an amazing gathering of the most positive group energy I have ever experienced.  It is the time of year where we are recharged, ignited with new fuel, and remodeled with an refreshed outlook on the future.  I realize that each year means something so different because I am never the same person.  I am a year older, a year wiser, a year experienced.  These experiences mould and sculpt my life.  Some years are fine details, others are rough shapes…but this weekend is more to me than AdvoCare, it is a moment for me to reflect positively on what I am working towards, how I am helping others, and learn more.

My journey with AdvoCare has goals. This year I set a 90 day goal, that goal expired November 15. I had hoped that this post would be a celebration of sorts as I have been holding onto it for various reasons. And although I cannot write that I met my goal this week, I can say that I have evaluated my focus, revised my reach, and am okay with my current purpose.  So…it is now that I choose to celebrate my friend Gwen!

I met Gwen through a mutual friend in Florida. She has since gotten married, moved (back) to Texas, passed her professional engineering exams, and has demonstrated more ambition wrapped up in a spunky personality than I can express in words. While getting to know her in a more personal context, I have come to realize she and I struggle with some of the same areas of life. We both are driven resulting in wanting to do it all, a need for activities, and a strong desire to find a balance between personal life, faith and family. We know we can stand alone but we strongly desire camaraderie and the love of partnerships.  We are very hard on ourselves when we feel we have failed ourselves and especially when we feel we have disappointed others. Disappointment is something we try to avoid at any cost, even if it is to our own sanity. I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the day with her, to catch up on life, to talk about our dreams…and yes, our time together did include a scheduled morning workout before I drove back to Kansas. BUT it also included a pretty amazing first for GoSarahRun…paddle board yoga!

Friends, I cannot tell you just how amazing paddle board yoga is for the soul. Although it was hot and we did not prepare well for hydration…the connection to every muscle in your body while balancing on the surface of water is an overwhelmingly inspiring practice. If you ever have the opportunity to go for a paddle…do it!!! Even if you have no yoga experience whatsoever, just try it with an open mind and open heart. Let yourself explore. The worst thing that happens is a refreshing dip in nature’s swimming pools.

Words for Gwen…

These are words I must remind myself and now I share with you…

When in doubt find patience in your thoughts…be in awe of your accomplishments…give praise for all that has been placed in your life…breathe and know there is no shame in baby steps for even the smallest movements forward with determination amount to miles of accomplishments.

You are an amazing friend. I cannot wait to see you again next year! Hopefully Russ is our instructor again and we will actually get those photos of our handstands (and water plunge) attempts.