Look at what I INHALED for breakfast yesterday!

IMG_0212

Okay – this is one of those meals that don’t LOOK amazing but sure taste delicious.  It’s a chia seed pudding (so an excellent vegan yogurt replacer) with baked green apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup mixed in.  And it’s so, so good.

IMG_0211

Ingredients (for two servings):

 

  • 3 small/medium Granny Smith apples (or 2 large ones)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • Cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 1 and 1/4 cup almond milk, unsweetened
  • Drizzle of maple syrup

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a glass baking dish.
  • Slice apples into small wedges.  Place in baking dish.  Top with coconut oil and cinnamon to taste. Cover with baking safe lid or aluminum foil.
  • Bake apples for 35 minutes.  Remove and let stand until entirely cool (at least two hours).
  • In a tupperware with lid, mix apples, chia seeds, and milk.
  • Refrigerator overnight until liquid is totally absorbed, stirring once or twice during the process.
  • To serve: drizzle with maple syrup.  Top with pecans, walnuts, or other nuts, if desired.

IMG_0208

Walk Harder

 

I have long been a fan of walking.  Sure, it’s not as glamorous as running (with the races and medals and all that), but it always feel so go to stroll.  So whether you regularly walk and are simply looking for a way to make it extra sweaty or you’re wanting to use walking to break into exercise, here are some suggestions.

IMG_2146

(“W” is for walking – Once I walked a half marathon in Central Park.  Walking 13.1 miles was honestly harder than running it!)

 

Add Lunges: The best tip first!  I throw in a series of walking lunges at the halfway point of my walk.  It’s challenging for my leg muscles, it always triggers a sweat, and my heart pounds afterwards. At traffic lights, I’ve been known to bust out some squats or push-ups as I wait for the light to change.

 

Pump Your Arms: I find that I pick up the pace when I pump my arms.  No idea if this is just psychological or what, but pumping my arms motivates me to go faster.  Although your’re not going to truly tone your arms, chest, or back without resistance, I also find that my upper body feels looser and more relaxed when I pump my arms when I walk – probably because it’s a good stretch!

 

Carry or Push Weight:  Parents – bring that stroller.  Nothing picks up a walk like pushing 50-odd pounds up a hill, am I right?  We also love our hiking backpack, which we definitely use around the neighborhood as much as we do on the trails.

photo-63_thumb

Ditch the Distractions:  Stop chatting on the phone or multitasking on a work project in your head.  I love to maximize my time as much as the next person, but I’ve found the more things you focus on –> the less effort you put into your workout.  Also, your dog can definitely count as a “distraction!” I love walking with James (Maggie is not a fan of walking), but he goes pretty slow, and I like to let him sniff around as much as possible.  When I’m trying to walk as workout, I do an initial “pleasure” lap with the dog and then return him home for a second round.

 

Take it to the Trail:  Choose a hilly course or try off-road walking – you’ll recruit different muscles in new ways!

 

Sign up for a Race:  There are PLENTLY of 5Ks and charity events that are walker friendly.  You can do a 5K even if you plan on walking the entire thing!  Just check the race website to make sure you’ll meet any cut-off times, and be sure to line up at the race start at the very back of the pack so you don’t accidentally hold up the runners.

DSC_2802_thumb

Related post —> 6 Ways to Maximize your Run/Walk Habit

How do you “walk harder?” Any other fans of the walk out there?

{ 14 comments }

 

  • Laura@SneakersandSpatulas October 2, 2014, 9:28 am

    I love to do walking lunges while walking! It is such a great workout for the legs. I always embarrass my sister and husband when I do it though. haha. I always bring my dog on walks, she’s 50 pounds and it is her primary form of exercise so it inspires me to walk longer so she can be healthy, also she loves it and will walk for ages if I let her!

  • glenneth October 2, 2014, 9:49 am

    i LOVE walking! especially walking 5Ks. luckily our area has plenty of walker friendly events. i also love all the color races that are untimed – so perfect for family and friends.

  • Ali October 2, 2014, 9:59 am

    I can’t run because of foot and knee issues, so I took up walking a few years ago. The last half marathon I walked, I was faster than the runners! I get a great workout without killing myself and being sore for weeks. You can do all the same stuff as running – interval training, distance, etc. – and you don’t need special equipment, just a place to walk.

  • Emily October 2, 2014, 10:16 am

    That pudding sounds like a fun make-ahead for breakfast. And I even think I have all the ingredients on hand! Those are my favorite recipes 🙂

  • Julie October 2, 2014, 10:39 am

    I have LONG been a big fan of “the walk”. Just took up running last year & have run 1 5k, but have walked countless! 🙂 My boyfriend & I try to go for a walk every night, weather permitting. It’s a great way to get some exercise in & spend some quality time together talking. It’s funny because I’m a pretty slow runner, but a naturally FAST walker. He always holds my hand… I think partly to slow me down a little! 😛

  • amy October 2, 2014, 11:06 am

    I just started walking after being an avid runner. I am in my second trimester and am honestly running just makes me a bit nervous now so I have adopted walking (and swimming!)for the time being! I love adding in lunges and am thinking about getting some hand weights.
    Sorta related question- do you follow the rule to not let your heart rate go over 140 during exercise while pregnant? I’ve found this hard to abide by so am more just “listening to my body”…what about you?

    • Caitlin October 2, 2014, 1:42 pm

      Most of the new research I’ve read about that says it’s too simplified to apply to everyone… I’ve heard it’s more about rate of perceived exertion and just making sure you aren’t taxing your body too much. Congrats 😉

      • amy October 3, 2014, 12:31 pm

        Thanks for responding and the congrats 🙂

  • Carrie (This Fit Chick) October 2, 2014, 11:42 am

    I love walking! Although, I prefer either walking slowly or just jogging… I am not a huge chia seed fan, but I haven’t been able to use them properly, so this pudding looks good!

  • Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom October 2, 2014, 2:21 pm

    I love walking on trails! It’s very tranquil yet you can get in a good bit of exercise. And the pudding is going on my menu!!!

  • Pauline October 2, 2014, 11:29 pm

    Eeeeee Baby Henry in that last picture is so precious!!! 🙂

  • Heather October 3, 2014, 3:51 pm

    Another yummy recipe and walking is so good for you. We have lots of hills around our way to give a good workout.

  • Amanda K. October 4, 2014, 11:10 am

    oh my gosh, i walked a half-marathon once and it was SO HARD! i’ve run 6 and the walking one was the one that left me aching, tired and with screaming knees. i wonder if it’s just harder on you to be on your feet for that long?

  • Emily @ Tips on Healthy Living October 6, 2014, 2:13 am

    Can’t wait to try this pudding…awesome! And great tip to “ditch the distraction.” I am so guilty of this…need to try harder to put down the phone! LOL

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point