Since I have started blogging less often, quite a few things that happen go undocumented. Sometimes I feel like I don’t get the chance to share as much of those little nuances of my life. Which could very well be a good thing in your mind. And if that’s the case, I feel sorry for you because I’m about to unload a whole bunch of random things happening around the FFF household.

I can get very impatient. Especially when it comes to my current infatuation with mangoes. When Jess posted this recipe yesterday morning, I immediately told Makenzie we would be baking muffins that afternoon.

And we did. Mango. Banana. Coconut. Whole Wheat. Goodness. I followed her recipe exactly, with the exception of using vanilla almond milk instead of coconut milk. I didn’t have the patience to wait for a trip to the store. It made the muffins a bit less coconut-ty tasting, but I still loved them. I know what I’ll be snacking on the next few days…if they last that long.

Muffins and yogurt bowls aren’t the only things coming out of my kitchen though. I also take the time to whip up some easy dinners that don’t always make it in with my posts. I recently made these lettuce wraps and can’t wait to have them again.

All I did was cut some chicken into 1 inch cubes and cook it for about 7-8 minutes in a pan. Then I placed it in bibb lettuce leaves with a rainbow slaw (shredded broccoli, carrots, red cabbage), sliced cucumber, and Newman’s Own sesame ginger dressing. Simple and delicious!

I have also just had a lot going on that I couldn’t even begin to mention. I feel like I don’t know where my days go anymore! I’m so thankful for God in my life to help me keep perspective and calm me during stressful moments. I have picked back up leading our adult bible study class on Sundays.

You would think having something else on my plate would stress me, but it actually helps me. Growing in my faith makes me a better person. Believe me.

Workouts also help make me a better person, for the sanity factor alone. I have certainly experienced some great ones this week. I even broke out some Cathe DVD action yesterday. I completed her HIIT 30/30 workout. It’s been awhile since I have done an interval workout like that. I die.

I’m already dreading, but also looking forward to, the other 2 workouts from that DVD which up the challenge even more. Eep!

Lastly, I miss yoga. I think I do well fitting in regular stretching and foam rolling, but I do miss a more regular practice. I really wish a class at the gym would coincide with our schedules. Or that studio classes didn’t want to make my wallet seize with terror. The class on Wednesdays could work, but it cuts a bit into baby B’s best nap time. I can’t bring myself to do it. Almost like I can’t bring myself to do this…

…though I badly want to get in on the Netflix action. And okay – the yoga thing wasn’t “lastly”. I warned you I ramble. Anyhoo. Peter & I both know if we do the free trial, we may as well sign up because we will get hooked. We don’t need to get hooked. We already have one show a night to watch from our DVR and that hour is plenty. Although, Netflix does have workout options, right? Perhaps it could solve my yoga dilemma. Uh-oh. I feel my determination waning. 😉

• Do you have Netflix or something similar? What do you like most about it?
• What fruit are you currently loving?

I know I caught your eye with that title, huh? Just hold on to your antsy pants a little bit for me to explain at the end of this post. I have some venting to do first.

Yesterday at the gym I did something to my back. I completed my hamstrings, back, & biceps workout. During deadlifts, I felt like I may have gone too heavy on my last set. Once I finished the set, I felt fine and completed my workout. Then, a little later on it hurt pretty badly to bend down to pick up Braedon. My back continued to feel more and more messed up as the morning went on. In fact, it hurt so bad I spent almost the entire day with a heating pad laying on the couch. Well, as much as that’s possible as a mother of two little ones.

I consoled myself with one of my favorite lunches – a sandwich with egg, goat cheese, spinach, and tomato with a hefty serving of mango, grapes and cucumber slices.

I also turned to natural medicine. Chocolate, of course. For my snack, I continued my love affair with Love Grown Foods granola and poured a small bowl of their Cocoa Goodness granola with almond milk and a sliced banana.

If only that really helped the discouraged feeling. Back pain always makes me so nervous because you never know how long it will affect you. I hope to feel better very soon!

Now back to the title of my post. I want to end on a high note and what better way than sharing about going topless at the gym? 😉 During spin class on Monday I ended up without a sweat towel. All of mine were in the wash and I figured I would just get one of the ones offered in the class at the gym. Well, the towels in class ran out and I was left with no towel. About two songs into the class, I was dripping sweat and constantly trying to wipe my face with my tank top. Eventually I decided to just say “screw it” and took my top off to finish out the spin class in my sports bra.

Normally, I would never think to do this thanks to worrying what others thought. Of my body. Of being dressed “appropriately”. And so on. It hit me though that in all honesty no one pays that much attention to others at the gym. I think we’re all concerned with our own workouts and, truth be told, our own bodies. I didn’t need to worry what others thought. All that mattered is I would physically feel comfortable managing to wipe away all my sweat.

Then, I got to thinking a little bit deeper. I sat in that class sweating away because I was challenging myself with a great workout. My body can DO great things. I should take pride in my body and its strength. That includes no embarrassment on working out in just my sports bra for this class. I feel good and that is all the confidence I need. That is all the confidence we should all need. I’m not saying you have to bare your belly, because I even don’t plan on habitually working out sans shirt. I’m saying not to worry about how you look. Worry about how you WORK. Let that fuel your confidence because you rock!

• Do you ever workout in just a sports bra?
• Any back pain remedies to share?