Yet another beautiful day in the neighborhood this morning. 🙂 I had my normal Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday workout scheduled for today – a full body workout and a run. I split up the two earlier this week, but don’t want to do that on Saturdays. So, I drove to the gym and ran a quick 3.2 mile loop on the roads by the gym. Then, I headed indoors for my weights workout. I ended up with this for today:

After my workout I came home and had a breakfast fail. I had reached the bottom of my peanut butter jar.

That meant OIAJ of course. Since we still don’t have produce, I figured I would do a strawberry yogurt mixed with the oats to get some flavor instead.

Well, the yogurt cooled the oats down. Non-hot oats = non-melty peanut butter = can’t scoop up all the good stuff. That’s the WHOLE point of OIAJ!! At least it still tasted good, despite not being able to savor melty gobs of peanut butter at the end.

And now I must get on with my Saturday…and the week’s features, but of course!

Featured Move: Kick It!

I find kickboxing a very fun and effective workout. You don’t have to take a class or do a DVD though to get the benefits. I have been known to add the moves in the video clip to standard workouts as an extra cardio boost between weights moves or to work the midsection a bit more.

And I do NOT know why the voice is all squeaky and fast in the video. Annoying!

Featured Moment: Body After Baby Progress

Continuing to make progress in my Body After Baby journey. Most importantly…continuing that progress in a balanced, healthy, and realistic way. 

Featured Meal: Springtime Lemon Raspberry Muffins

I’ve had lots of yummy eats this week. Goat cheese + pesto sandwiches. Goat cheese, artichoke, & mushroom stuffed chicken. But you all know I’m a breakfast lover first, so my Springtime lemon Raspberry muffins win the honor. Have you tried them yet?

Featured Cuteness: Nap Time

Last Sunday afternoon, after the fabulous time change, i crashed for a three hour nap with Makenzie. Peter managed to sneak a shot of us sleeping. So special!

Featured Reading: Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers – The Comparison Trap

Many of you have likely already seen this post because Julie has such a fabulous blog, but in case you haven’t – read it!

Question of the Day – Do you like kickboxing workouts?

First off, I completely forgot to say THANK YOU to all of you for your uplifting comments on my most recent Body After Baby progress. I really hope to show that its possible to make changes with balance and consistency. Hearing that you all recognize that in my journey means a lot. And it’s not over yet! So, thank you for the continued support I know you all will offer on a regular basis. 🙂

As the normal, I started today off with a solid workout. It really does get my day up and running on a positive note. I did a group kickboxing class for my workout today. Remember a couple weeks ago when I went and the instructor had a lot of difficulty leading the class? Well, she had her A game on today and gave us a great workout. I was so happy for her! I can only imagine the stress of starting out as a fitness instructor. She definitely seemed more comfortable today, though, and I really enjoyed the class.

After the gym, we took a pit-stop at home before heading back out for a Mom’s Club activity. Today we all met up at a local Chick-Fil-A for the kids to eat and play on the playground. We rarely do fast food, so I don’t have a problem with Makenzie having some for lunch every once in awhile. She enjoyed her chicken nuggets, fruit, and milk alongside her friends. I, however, had different plans for lunch. You see, I’m on a new kick. A goat cheese kick. I can’t get enough!

I couldn’t wait to get home for lunch. I did something quite tasty. I took two slices of 9 Grain & Seed bakery bread. Spread one piece with the goat cheese. Spread the other slice with pesto.

Then added a bit of turkey, spinach, and tomato between the two. It quickly became a thing of beauty.

And disappeared way, way too fast. So much better than any fast food!

My goat cheese kick extended to dinner as well. I guess I’m on a new kick in the kitchen lately too. I have wanted to cook a ton lately! Strangely, I find myself loving it more and more. Kind of like running. Except dishes are involved so not quite as much as running. I think my newfound enjoyment in the kitchen comes from churning out the winners I have come up with recently. First, the Springtime Lemon Raspberry Muffins. Now, my next creation:

Artichoke, Mushroom, & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 can artichoke hearts (I used those in water)
• 6 T goat cheese (I used basil & roasted garlic)
• a couple handfuls mushrooms (white, cremini, or baby bella)

Preheat oven to 375.

Slice and sautee the mushrooms until brown and tender. Set aside on a cutting board. Chop the mushrooms and the artichoke hearts into small, even pieces. Add to a small bowl along with the goat cheese. Mix to an even consistency.

Pound the chicken breasts out to 1/4” thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Spoon about 2 tablespoons worth of the artichoke, mushroom, and goat cheese mixture into the center of the flattened chicken.

Roll up and secure with toothpicks. Repeat with remaining breasts.

Place in a hot pan lightly oiled or sprayed with cooking spray. Let brown on one side for 2-3 minutes. Flip and brown on the opposite side for 2-3 minutes more.

Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and bake in the 375 oven for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.

Now you tell me. Why wouldn’t you want to eat something bursting with gooey cheesiness and delicious things like mushrooms and artichokes? Especially something as easy as this.

It almost makes me love cooking. But don’t quote me on that….yet.

Question of the Day – What makes you like cooking more?