Monthly Archives

July 2013

Jul 19
0

Puddin’

By | Fitness, Fuel | 2 Comments

Before I get to the ooey gooey stuff, I want to express my excitement and thanks to all of the crazy people who showed up to watch the sunrise and swim in the ocean with me at 5:45am today for Fun Friday.  You people inspire me!

Okay, here’s situation number 2 for today:  Chia Seed Pudding!

Have you had this stuff before?  I hadn’t, until my good friend Katie told me about her breakfast last week.  It’s so simple that I can make it before I go to bed, even when my eyes are about to close for the night.

All you really need is a package of chia seeds and a can of coconut milk…maybe some sweetener, too.  The rest is up to  your imagination.

To make this miracle breakfast (or anytime dessert-ish snack),  just combine:

1/3 c. chia seeds
1 can light coconut milk  *you can also use any other type of milk!
1/4 c. agave or honey
…in a mason jar or tupperware.  Refrigerate overnight, and add your mix-ins in the morning.  Shazam!

Some super duper chia puddin’ mix-in combos:

Coco-nut-Banana-Date
1/4 c. coconut flakes
1 whole banana (mashed or sliced)
3 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1-2 T. cocoa powder
grated nutmeg (to taste)
cinnamon (to taste)

Peach Pie
1-2 t. vanilla extract
1 t. cinnamon
1 peach, sliced
1-2 T. peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)
sprinkle of granola/raw oats/cereal

Some interesting facts about Chia Seeds:

  • Chia seeds have lots of good omega 3 oils, which are especially good for fighting inflammation.
    • Chia seeds are the most omega-3 dense vegetable source.
  • Chia seeds are also high in easily-digested protein.
  • Gel formation with liquid is a result of the high soluble fiber content of chia seeds.
  • Consuming chia seeds, which form gels in the stomach, slows carbohydrate digestion
    • Carbohydrate-to-sugar conversion slows, which is beneficial for diabetics!

Jul 12
0

Fun Fridays

By | Coaching, Fitness, Swimming | No Comments

Calling all swimmers, triathletes, and adventurous ones, near and far, young and old:

I will be setting up a couple of buoys and going for a morning circuit swim ’round them at the Ventura Pier (err…just to the north of it) on the regular.  I am hoping that a solid group of crazy people would like to join me!  No cost, except for a couple of marbles and caloric expenses.  “Crazy person” qualification standards include, but are not limited to:

  • Willingness to swim in the ocean
  • Desire to get up early in the morning and swim between 5:45-6:45am (ish)
  • Being human, age 18 or older…or must have parent consent
  • Ability to swim at least 500 meters in the ocean comfortably without assistance 
  • Wetsuit-wearing is not mandatory, but welcome, and, in some cases, encouraged
  • Agreement not to sue Brittany for any unfortunate ocean swim-related incidents
Planned swim dates are every other Friday, starting one week from today:
  • Friday, July 19th (5:45-6:45am)
  • Friday, August 2nd (5:45-6:45am)
  • Friday, August 16th (6-7am)
  • Friday, August 30th (6-7am)
  • Friday, September 13th (6-7am)
  • Friday, September 27th (6-7am)
Details:

  • Arrive at 5:45am (July 19th and August 2nd) or 6am to meet/prep/warmup.  Workout will begin at 6/6:15am and end at 6:45/7am.  Varied start times account for differences in daylight hours. You are welcome to stay later, but buoys will be removed.
  • Occasionally, as needed, open water swim skills and tips will be discussed
  • Workout will include water entry, exit, race pace circuits, beach running between circuits, etc.
  • Bring suit, cap, goggle, towel, warm/dry clothes, water/snack for afterwards, lube/body glide, water to rinse feet, sandals to walk to beach, swim accessories (nose clip, ear plugs, booties…)
  • Bathrooms are very close by, an immediate right from the parking garage near the pier
  • Outdoor showers are available close by if needed, but allow time for a 10 minute walk
  • Parking is available (early mornings are free!) in the lot on Harbor Blvd and California St.
    • From the 101 N, exit 70A for California St.  Make a left on S California St.  
If you would like to join in on the craziness, please contact me by commenting on the post, or by leaving a message/comment on the BrittFit Facebook Page.  Your response is necessary so that I can be sure to let you know of any changes/cancellations. I will also ask you to fill out the mandatory online waiver before attending a workout with me.

Let’s jump in!

Jul 01
0

Baked Oats

By | Fitness, Fuel | No Comments

Warm summer mornings call for breakfast outside.  There is really nothing quite like fresh tank-top-and-shorts–no-shoes weather and a side of free live music (birds singing) with your outdoor breakfast.  This combination appears to pause time.  Worries and hurries are suddenly stilled and forgotten–just long enough to remind one of the little, sweet, things in life which matter infinitely more than the things which try to take them over.

After sitting down to a homemade baked oatmeal with homegrown grapefruit and good company (my parents) and purposely forgetting my camera–in some cases, pausing to snap a quick pick for social networking purposes seems to steal an ounce or two of the joy of being present in a quality moment–I had to go a second round with the sweet-bitter-nutty-spicy-savory combo.  I would be absolutely dishonest to say that I merely went for round two with my leftovers in order to capture a few images for the sake of making my blog look pretty.  This was really worth it.  In fact, as I write this I have just finished round three–I couldn’t bear to see a spoonful of those soft, firm, perfectly-cooked oats go to waste.

These yummy oats make an excellent, filling breakfast any day.  They also provide fuel for and/or recovery from long bike rides/runs/swims/hikes/etc, and provide delicious omega 3 oils (walnuts, flax), fiber (oats!), and super antioxidants (berries, cocoa).

Taste them for yourself…

Baked Oats

(print this recipe)

serves 5-6

2 c. rolled oats
1/3 c. brown sugar (or less)
1 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. fresh ground nutmeg
1/2 t. salt
1 c. walnut pieces (or other nut/seed)
1 c. berries (I used thawed frozen mixed berries)
1/3 c. chocolate/carob chips
2 c. almond milk, coconut, or other milk
1 egg (or flax egg…1T ground flax mixed with 3T water)
3 T melted coconut oil
1 T vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, sliced

Preheat oven to 375*F, and grease an 8×8″ baking dish/pan (or 10.5×7) and place on top of a baking sheet.

Mix oats, sugar, baking powder, spices, half of the walnuts, and half of the berries, in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla.

Add dry mixture into baking dish.  Place chocolate chips, banana, and remaining berries and nuts on top.  Pour liquid mixture over everything, and gently shake the full baking dish to disperse the liquids.  Bake 35-45 minutes, until top is golden brown and the liquid mixture has set.  Let cool, and cut oatmeal into squares.  Serve with fruit, honey, brown sugar, etc.