I normally do yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM. I wasn’t able to make it yesterday because I was watching my neighbors kids (who were super well behaved and a joy to have around; I need to get some parenting tips from my neighbors!) I really missed it so I decided to get up early and go this morning. The room was freezing and I didn’t love the instructor but it still felt great and I’m so glad I went. I love yoga.
After yoga I made a huge bowl of Double Chocolate Protein Oatmeal (recipe below). I topped it with blueberries and dug in. It was perfect for this chilly morning.
Double Chocolate Protein Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup rolling oats
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp. ground flax seeds
- 1 tbsp. almond butter (you can substitute peanut butter)
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 banana mashed
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
Combine oats, water, flax seeds, almond butter, and cocoa powder in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave. Stir, then add the banana and protein powder and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir again. Enjoy!
When I first started attending yoga classes I didn’t love them. I wouldn’t get all hot and sweaty so I felt like I didn’t get in a good workout. What’s the point of doing glorified stretches for an hour? Oh how little I knew. Even though I didn’t love it I kept going back because I kept hearing about how good it was for me. Now that I have been doing yoga for a while I am getting better at it and enjoying it immensely. I (and my body) have really benefitted from practicing yoga and I think everyone should give it a try. Here’s why:
- It is the perfect addition to cardiovascular training and will increase cardiovascular efficiency. Read; it will make you faster!
- It stretches out the entire body and increases range of motion. I am not a naturally flexible person so I love yoga because it forces me to work on becoming more flexible. I want to be able to do all the cool poses so I am motivated to continue stretching and enhance my ability to contort my body into different poses.
- It really helps with pain management. This is especially important for people who participate in endurance sports. You will recover from that long run or bike ride faster when you practice yoga regularly.
- Yoga helps to make mind body connections. You are forced to really think about the different parts of your body and how you are moving and breathing. This helps to block out all other thoughts and focus on your practice.
- When you block out all your thoughts to focus on connecting your mind to your body, you ease yourself into a state of relaxation and stress relief.
- Lastly, yoga helps with self acceptance. While practicing yoga you are encouraged to appreciate your body for what it does for you and accept yourself as you are. I can’t help but leave my yoga class in a wonderful mood and feeling great about myself.
What are your thoughts on yoga?
What is your favorite way to eat oatmeal?
berries and barbells 
awesome! I love your blog and am so glad I found it. As a life Coach, I’m always looking for positive, inspiring blogs to share with others. I think yours is one 🙂 also, yoga rocks!
Thank you so much Marie! I’ll be sure to stop by your blog as well.
I LOVE your bog! I can’t tell you what a transformation you’ve gone through since we first met….19 years ago! Britt, you are beautiful and strong and seeing you feel those things makes me so very happy 🙂 I know your boys are lucky to have such a motivating mama.
….In other news, I love to add ground flax seed, strawberries, a pinch of brown sugar, and cinnamon to my oatmeal! I’ve heard of others adding pumpkin and extra pumpkin pie spice to their oatmeal, too.
Rock on sister friend!
I love yoga. I did a little bit of it before I got pregnant but I really started doing it during pregnancy and I can tell you it makes such a different in how I feel. When I am having pregnancy aches and pains I know yoga will help me. I really feel like it has taught me to relax and breath in all aspects of life. It has been great along side of my hypnobirthing training. I love your blog. I have a health blog as well but I havent stayed on top of it as much I want. I love your recipes and food ideas too! Where do you get the recipes?
Yoga is awesome. You’ll have to let me know how hypnobirthing goes! I had both of my boys completely natural but I didn’t use a specific birthing technique. I’ve heard great things about hypnobirthing and if I have another one I’d like to give it a try.
As far as the recipes go if I don’t put up a link showing where the recipe is from then I just made it up!
Your oatmeal looks amazing! I will have to try adding some chocolate protein powder the next time I make it! I am a big fan of adding almond or peanut butter to oatmeal!
Also, I just found your blog and I have enjoyed reading it. I look forward to following it!
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