PTEX Open Patella Knee Sleeves

PTEX Open Patella Knee Sleeves

I have flat feet and with all the physical activity I engage in it really takes a toll on my knees. Before HIIT I only rubbed muscle cream on my knees to alleviate pain, after HIIT it’s a different story. With all the jumping and plyometric moves as well as heavy lifting on leg day muscle cream just isn’t enough to ease my knee pain. Because of this I decided, much to my disdain, to get knee brace’s. While I was shopping around for knee braces a sales associate suggested I get the PTEX Open Patella Knee Sleeves instead of knee brace’s as the latter are most often used on people who play sports.

The open patella sleeves allow for awesome range of motion while I’m jumping around and almost completely diminish my knee pain. Since I bought these knee sleeves I’ve worn them during all of my workouts except upper body days (for obvious reasons) and my results re: pain and stability have been amazing. I now can’t imagine working out without these sleeves.

Honestly, if knee pain is something you suffer from during or after your workouts these are awesome. As with all my reviews I’m not sponsored by the company just want to share my experiences and hope you too can benefit from a great product.

If you also suffer from knee pain and don’t use sleeves or braces, what do you use to help alleviate the pain?

Airmax ALL THE WAY!

The runner ups.

I’m happy to announce I’ve become one of those people who wear active gear all day long. Yes, after my intense workouts I like to shower and hop right back into comfy active gear. Call me crazy but there’s NO WAY I could possibly shower and then stick my feet back into the shoes I just sweat profusely in. NATURALLY this meant I had to go shopping for casual sneakers. I am extremely biased however, so when I think of any sneaker I only think Nike.

I was immediately drawn to the white Nike’s in the picture because obviously they’re super cute with their silver cheetah print and matching swoosh. I was already picking out outfits while test-driving them in the store until the sales assistant suggested I try on the 2015 Airmax’s. I’ve never tried on Airmax’s before mostly because I love to hold on to my coin (I’m cheap) and this is a $200 shoe. Once they were on my feet though, I COULD NOT take them off! These are the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on my feet. I know they are called Airmax and you’re technically walking on air when you wear them, but it really feels like you are walking on air!

The winners!

I highly recommend this shoe! It’s probably a great shoe to workout in but of course I’m not ready to bang them all up because their sooooo pretty. Does anyone else work out in their Airmax? What’s it like? And what are your favorite sneakers?

Harbinger Padded Leather Weight Belt

Feeling like Superwoman in my Harbinger Padded Leather Belt!

My interests are vast yet I don’t have many hobbies outside of physical activity/fitness. Because of this it’s only natural that most gifts I receive from family and friends are related to the one thing they all know I love. That said I was ecstatic when I opened my Harbinger Padded Leather Weight Belt on Christmas! I’m proud to call myself a heavy lifter and as is natural when you lift heavy you weights you lift increase number so this belt couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s been about a month and I now feel very confident recommending it to others. So on to the review…

Why does one need the Harbinger Padded Leather Belt?

Because you lift heavy! The Harbinger supports the back and core (abdomen) and it ensures your form is correct. Your form is very important when lifting heavy as correct form will help you avoid injury.

 Is it comfortable?

Insert Usher ft. Lil Jon YEAH here. The interior foam cushioning and suede lining is super comfortable (no digging into your skin like weight belts that aren’t padded) and helps maintain muscle warmth. The Harbinger Padded Leather belt also has a dual-pronged steel roller buckle that stays in place once secure.

What are common uses for weight belts?

Weight belts are typically used for lifts that challenge core (abdomen) strength like the squat and dead lift. In overhead lifts, they help prevent back hyperextension and most importantly as I mentioned above weightlifting belts provide feedback (meaning you’ll feel it) on the correct body positioning during lifting.

If you lift heavy and don’t have a weight belt yet I definitely recommend this one. I’m not sponsored by this company and will get nothing from this review. I’m just a satisfied customer and really enjoy how comfortable and secure I feel in this belt.

Black Bean Spinach Burgers

They “brown” just like actual burgers so you know when to flip.

Finished product!

As a new vegan I’m learning that it’s near pointless going out to eat unless I’m going to a vegan specific restaurant or a restaurant that will have vegan options. That’s why I spent a small part of my evening making delicious Black Bean Spinach Burgers for dinner!  As you know from the rest of my posts, I work out a lot and therefore am always looking to incorporate lots of protein in my diet. I had a bunch of spinach that needed to be cooked and was originally only going to make Spinach Burgers. However, after a good ole’ Google search I decided to increase my protein intake and make Black Bean Spinach Burgers instead.

Like most people probably do I found a recipe and tweaked it to my taste. For example I added WAY more spinach, too much olive oil (cooking foul but it turned out okay), and more garlic to the recipe I found to make it my own. Here’s what you need to recreate my Black Bean Spinach Burgers:

1 can of Goya Black Beans (rinsed and strained)

a couple handfuls of Spinach

½ cup whole-wheat flour

4 tbsp. oats

2 tbsp lemon juice

4 tbsp olive oil (you can use less)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

2 garlic cloves (you can use less)

Directions

1. Toss all ingredients into a food processor (I processed for about 1 minute, to a consistency I liked).
2. Once mixed, form into patties (the amounts above created 4 patties)
3. Toss them onto a skillet (or grill) coated with cooking oil/pray and cook on medium high for about 5 minutes, flipping at least once until they have a bit of crust on them (see picture)
4. Eat!

These are delicious! I ate mine on a low-carb bun with avocado, tomato and Dijon mustard.

These are delicious! I ate mine on a low-carb bun with avocado, tomato and Dijon mustard.

Vegan Breakfast Cookies

Vegan Breakfast Cookies

As you may know from previous blogs I’m a 10-year vegetarian who made the switch to Vegan 1/1/2015 (though I used December 2014 to transition). I’m a full believer that Vegans don’t have to forego any of the delicacies of our vegetarian and omnivore friends. This morning I ate the most delicious, light & sweet Vegan Breakfast Cookies and would love for you to enjoy this experience as well!

Ingredients: 

¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons coconut oil

½ cup applesauce

¼ cup dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar + 1tablespoon molasses)

1 carrot cooked & pureed (or banana)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup raisins (or craisins or a mixture of both)

1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant and chopped

 Directions:

Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium sized bowl.
2. Combine oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute.
3. Add carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds.
4. Add flour mixture and beat additional 30 seconds.
5. Add oats, flakes, raisins/craisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. (Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough).
6. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
7. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet.
8. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies.
9. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about ¼ inch thick.
10. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft.
11. Let cookies cool slighty, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

*To create these vegan cookies we used Ellie Krieger’s Breakfast Cookies recipe as a base and removed/swapped some ingredients to vegan or preferential options.

1/8 Speed Bag

Hi Lioness’ & Lions! If you frequent my blog, you know I started boxing/kickboxing at my local 9Round a month ago. I’ve always watched people hitting the speed bag in awe and up until TODAY I could not get in my rhythm. After I did, I quickly asked the owner/trainer to film me so I could share a progress. My goal is to start hitting this bag harder and faster without concentrating so hard. How long do you think it will take me? Please share any goals you’ve reached in the comment section and we can celebrate together!

Beetroot Juice

1 beetroot, 1 apple, 1 lemon, 2 carrots, 1 small piece of ginger, handful of kale

Hello friends. Do any of you ever aimlessly “pin” on Pinterest? I’m guilty of this! I’ve probably only re-created about 1/4 of the pin’s I’ve pinned. That being said, a few days ago I pinned an article about Beetroot Juice, mainly because I like the individual ingredients and when it comes to juicing red, rather than green juices are my preference. Of the many benefits the website connected to the pin listed, when I read Beetroot Juice helps you power through workouts I had to try it! So before my workout I drank a glass (two parts juice, one part water) and I’m not so sure. I mean I didn’t feel a kick like I had drank a shot of espresso but I guess I did power through my workout. The problem is I’m not sure if I can attribute that to my dedication or the drink. What say you?

The picture above shows the ingredients I used. My suggestions are to use more carrots, or at least bigger ones and use WAY less ginger.

Happy New Year, Health & Fit Resolutions

Hi guys! Happy New Year! Did any of you make health and/or fitness related resolutions? I did! I’m thinking if we share we can hold each other accountable, like virtual resolution buddies. My resolution is to become Vegan. I’ve been a vegetarian for the past decade and decided it was time to make the switch to becoming fully plant powered! (Cheese addiction be gone). I spent December transitioning or slowly cutting out pastries and my beloved cheese so it wouldn’t be so hard on me. Well I must say I feel great! I think I had a stomachache my whole life that I finally don’t have anymore, I feel amazing light & clean. It’s almost hard to describe how good I feel in such a short amount of time. I’ve been trying lots of vegan products some I love, some not so much. So far my favorites are vegan cream cheese which just tastes like a spread & Plant Head Protein which helps me replenish my body after my workouts. As always I’ll keep you guys updated on my journey. Please share your resolutions with me and if you’d like me to be your virtual resolution buddy let me know!

    

Nike Pro Dry Fit review

Strength training in Nike Pro Dry Fit pants.

Hi all,

If you read my previous posts you’ll know my current fitness routine includes strength training (at least) three times a week and a boxing/kickboxing mix (at least) twice a week. As expected, I’m loving it! Instead of updates on how that’s going I want to tell you about my new work out pants! Before starting my new routine, I went and bought two below the knee Nike Pro Dry Fit pants. I already have super short (I’m not conservative at all) and moderate length Nike Pro shorts but needed longer ones because my thighs and buttcheeks eat up the super short shorts (I’m not that liberal with body parts hanging out) and it’s too cold for the moderate length shorts. That being said the below the knee Nike Pro Dry Fit pants are amazing! Throughout my workouts my pants:

1. Stay on my waist (no annoying pulling up after every set (strength) or round (boxing)

2. No embarrassing sweat marks (you know the ones)

3. Totally comfortable (it’s like the pants are molded for your body type. no area too lose or tight)

4. Stylish! (hello! see picture)

Joining a Boxing/Kickboxing Gym

I’m happy to announce that yesterday I joined 9Round. On their website it says that they are the fastest growing kickboxing franchise in the nation and I honestly see why. Today, I worked out there for the first time and IT. WAS. AMAZING. Each work out is 30 minutes in total. You spend 3 minutes on each round (there are 9 rounds) and in between each round there’s 30 seconds of anaerobic work. In the 30 minutes you work out your entire body, and depending on the workout at each round (they change daily) you can be drenched in sweat as soon as Round 3, which by the way is the round where you must put on your gloves! The penalty, by the way, for not putting your gloves on at Round 3 at the 9Round in Waynesboro, VA is 10 burpee’s so if yore going to this location you’ll want to remember that!

I know I’m only on day 1 but I’m pretty sure I’m in love with this style of working out plus, I’ve wanted to do some form of boxing training for quite some time now. I intend to incorporate 9Round into my regular fitness routine which currently includes spot training on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and some cardio on either Tuesday or Thursday. I’ll probably scrap the Tuesday/Thursday cardio and add 9Round on Thursdays and Saturdays. I’ll post pictures of my progress on Day 30 and Day 60 so stay tuned! Check out what the gyms looks like on the inside and my gloves (that I’m obsessed with) in the pictures below.

Inside 9Round Waynesboro, VA

My pink gloves! Love them!