Smoooooooooothie

Who's blogging two nights in a row? This girl!


How are you doing tonight? I am relaxing with some Sour Patch Kids and the latest episode of Jersey Shore. Because it's a Thursday.


By the way... Is it just me, or does "The Situation" kinda look like 90s MTV star Pauly Shore?

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No? Maybe? Hard to tell without that bandana.


Today at work, I spent some quality time with my spreadsheets, and got a ton accomplished. I sometimes think of each show we do at work as a little baby that I take care of (yes, I know that's kinda weird), and today my babies got lots of attention. Three cheers for productivity!


I'd like to share with you, my very favorite smoothie combination. There is probably nothing unique about it as many other bloggers have used similar ingredients. So I'm not claiming to have invented this beast... rather, this is my favorite mishmash of healthy smoothie ingredients!


It starts with frozen, pitted cherries, spinach and some milk.

Then, the star of the show... Cacao!

(Any Portlandia fans in here? Remember the Cacao skit? Too funny.)

Some chia seeds. If you haven't heard of these, they are the same seeds that you put on chia pets. They are full of good-for-you stuff (Omega 3's, B-vitamins, etc.) and because they become gelatinous when they combine with liquid, they aid with hydrating your bod.

Protein powdah (chocolate, of course)...

It looks like a pile of... healthy:

But once blended, has the creamy consistency and rich flavor of a chocolate milkshake. Delicious!

Healthy Smoothie, Backstage Balance-style
Serving size: Two giant glasses


1 cup milk (any kind will do - I like to use coconut milk beverage)
3 handfulls of spinach (about 2 cups, packed)
1 cup pitted, frozen sweet cherries
2 tbsp raw cacao powder (cocoa powder will work, too)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1.5 scoops chocolate protein powder


Blend milk, spinach, and frozen cherries until smooth. Stop blender and add in the raw cacao powder, chia seeds and protein powder. Blend until incorporated, then serve and enjoy!


You do the talking: What are your favorite smoothie ingredients?
I almost always roll with a chocolatey or vanilla-y smoothie. I've tried to do fruity smoothies and haven't quite hit my stride with those. 


Do you see the resemblance between The Situation and Pauly Shore? I realize it may not be super obvious but was seriously giggling over putting their images side by side :-)


I did another Google image search and found another comparison! What do you think?

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'Tis the Season: Workout DVDs

With every passing Holiday season, comes the inevitable New-Year, New-You / get-back-into-a-fitness-routine-with-THIS-gimmicky/awful-product, season.

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Yes, this is real, it's true. I can't believe I missed this being released last week.

*crickets*


For those fitness buffs on your Holiday shopping list, look to these fun new release workout DVDs for gift ideas. Here are some that have caught my eye:






1. Dance with Julianne: Just Dance! 

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I don't really watch Dancing With the Stars, but am somehow familiar with Julianne Hough. She's stinking adorable, and I really want to try out her DVD workout. 
And something tells me that even though Zak detests DWTS, he wouldn't mind following along with Julianne and trying out this routine. Bonus. 


2. Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six-Pack

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Who doesn't love Jillian Michaels? I would love for her to mold me a six-pack in 6 weeks. Hopefully her plan doesn't include taking her B.S. weight loss supplements. 

3. Dance Fitness Workouts: Urban Street and African Beat with MaDonna Grimes

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Admittedly, I have not yet heard any buzz about this DVD. I picked it off of Amazon's new release list because it looks awesome. Having taken African dance classes in the past, this caught my eye. The description promises that the program offers "Dance moves you can take to the club," so that sounds good to me! Plus, it looks like on the cover, MaDona's sport bra says 'JIINGA.' That can only be good.
Note: this DVD won't be released until January 25, 2011. 


4. Billy Blanks: This Is Tae Bo

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Okay, ok. I know what you're thinking, and you're right. This did make my list mainly for its narcissistic title. However, I've heard in general that 'Tae Bo' is fun. You can pick this up used on Amazon for $7. So, there you go.


5. The Situation Workout

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I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about just how gimmicky and awful this might be. You'd be lying if you aren't even a little curious, too. 
Maybe I'll have a party, and invite you all to come and try out 'The Sitch's' ab routine with me? We'll have some beers, some chips and dip, then try this workout. Then, we'll have ourselves a real situation.


Questions: What workout DVDs are you raring to try? Any current favorites?