Moving

While lazily sitting in bed this morning.. (again no work out) I decided to switch my blog over to word press.
I will still change it and update it.. But here it is so far.
http://hannahbananaa.wordpress.com/

A mini update.

I really have not had time or been able to give updates during this trip.
We have been constantly on the go, loosing phone service, maxing out phone batteries and without internet.
It has been wonderful.
I have no reason to think about work.. & just been able to relaxxx.

We are currently in Oregon --> McMinninville which is in the heart of wine country.
Today, Jason and I spent the day wine tasting!!
So fun.  The wineries here are wonderful & the people are so nice.
We actually had to stop after 4 wineries.. (but lots of tasting!) because we felt we would be talked into buying more wine!

Yesterday we spent the day traveling from Victoria, on Vancouver Island, by ferry to Seattle, and then by train to Portland!! LLOOONG DAY!!

Tomorrow we will be heading to Bend Oregon where my sister lives before trying to head back on Saturday!!

On workouts, I got a mini run in yesterday combined with a walk with my mom.  Other than that not too much other than walks and some hikes. O well!

Hope you are having a wonderful week!!

Guest Post: Blue-Eyed Runner

Keri is a great blogger which I have grown to love.  I admire her speediness in races, and only hope to be as fast as her one day!! I love her track work outs but I do not have a track near me to try.  She only lives ONE state over from me.  I wish I could keep up with her so I could run with her!! Enjoy her post!

Finding Motivation

Hi Hannah Banana readers! My name is Keri and I blog over at Blue-Eyed Runner.

I am very excited to guest post for Hannah while she is away! I am obviously a runner, but I love all kinds of exercise...anything to break a sweat! I recently began working as a bootcamp instructor.

Having trouble getting motivated in the summer heat? Or maybe you are just need to switch up your routine?

Try these tips to get or stay motivated:

*Enjoy Yourself

Don't want to run today? Don't. Take a spin class, do Pilates, go for a hike with a friend. Go to the beach and run in the sand for 10-20 minutes (killer workout, by the way). The point is, don't do something you dread doing. People ask me all the time how I can run so long because they find it incredibly boring. I do it because I love it. Find something that you love to do. 

*Switch Up Your Routine

Even though I love running, I don't always want to do it everyday. Change up your workouts so you are not doing the same pace and route everyday. Try a track workout, tempo run, hill workout, plyometric routine, etc.

Bored with your runs? Try these workouts: 

*12 x 400s w/ 400 meter rest

*1 mile warm up, 3 mile tempo run, 1 mile cool down

*5 x 1000 meter sprints w/ 200 meter rest

*10 x 10 second hill sprints 

*10 minute workouts

Still bored? Try something else: a spin class, Pilates, or BOOT CAMP :)

*Workout With a Buddy

Making plans with a friend will hold you accountable and keep you motivated at the same time!

*Blog or Read Blogs

There is a ton of inspiration out there on the web! 

*Track Your Training

Sometimes I force myself to workout just so I won't see that blank space on my training log!

*Make an Inspiration Board

Mine always keeps me motivated! I post these on my wall. Just looking at them is instant motivation.

  

*Set a Goal

I like training for races. It keeps me motivated and focused. Your goal can be anything from I want to sweat 5 days a week to lose weight or train for a marathon.

*Reward Yourself

Reward yourself for reaching your goal, trying something new or just sticking with it!

Thanks for reading!!

*What do you do to stay motivated??

Guest Post: Greek Yogurt & Apple Slice

I recently found Holly's post through another guest post that she did. She has now become one of my favorite bloggers to check on to get tips and ideas for workouts, recipe ideas and just ready about her daily life.  She recently made the commitment to become 100% vegetarian.. OOPs I mean 100% Pescatarian (is that how you spell it?!).  Like me, she cannot give up the fishy stuff that is oh so yummy. 

ENJOY!

Hey There Hannah Banana Readers!! ☺

I’m Holly & I have this little blog over at Greek Yogurt & Apple Slices. 

(Longest blog name EVER!! ☺ )

I just want to first thank Hannah for letting me invade her blog today! 

I have enjoyed reading her posts, and I hope that she is having a BLAST on vacation!! ☺

My blog is all about living a healthy lifestyle while trying to keep my Crohn’s Disease from flaring up.

I recently married my best friend, and am enjoying every minute of the newlywed lifestyle! ☺

I love coming up with new recipes & sharing them on my blog,

things like Caesar Salad pasta and Cinnamon Roll Muffins!


Today I thought I would share with you one of my absolute favorite breakfast recipes that I have come up with to date!! Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes! It is the perfect summertime recipe because of the fresh smell of lemon. I LOVE lemon, it just smells so refreshing & crisp!

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Ingredients:

-1 cup Almond Milk
-1 tbsp. vinegar
-1 tbsp. lemon juice
-1/2 tsp. vanilla
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-2 tbsp. Splenda, or sweetener of choice
-1 tsp. baking powder
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. poppy seeds
- 3/4 tsp- 1 tsp. lemon peel (depending on your taste preference)
-cooking spray

Preparation:

1. Combine the milk, vinegar & lemon juice- mix together in a bowl. Let stand about 8-10 minutes to curdle. Stir in vanilla after the 10 minutes have ended.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the WW flour, Splenda (or sweetener of choice), baking powder, baking soda, salt, poppy seeds, & lemon peel.

3. Stir in the milk mixture into the flour mixture & whisk until the batter is free of lumps.

4. Heat a skillet, or griddle over medium high heat that is sprayed with cooking spray. Once heated, pour the batter into desired size pancakes. Cook on one side until you see bubbles form, then flip & cook for about another 2-3 minutes or until golden on each side.

Serve them with maple syrup, or sugar which. 

I prefer the sugar glaze, just the combination of the flavors is wonderful!! ☺

3 ingredient Sugar Glaze recipe:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix milk, extract and powdered sugar until glaze forms. 

You may need to add a little more sugar or water/milk to reach desired consistency. 

Mix into glaze and drizzle on pancakes.




These pancakes were not only a hit with me, but my husband loved them! He made me promise that I would make them again...guess I should probably do that, since it’s been a while since we have had them. ;)

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful day!! Please feel free to swing by my blog anytime ☺ Thanks again to Hannah for letting me guest post!

Two Mom's in the Raw Review

I have always been intrigued by the Raw food life style.
I am amazed that people can live this life style.
I do not think I can do this but always love the raw foods, and love a lot of foods at its natural state.

I contacted 2 Mom's in the Raw.
The story behind the company is inspirational...

In 2004, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After exploring all options, I found a natural approach to healing worked best for me. Food in its natural state without all the additives and pesticides is what the body needs to heal and feel good. 

minus the bar.. I was starving when I was out and ate it between errands.

 This bar was so good. Complete with nuts and cranberries.. I wish I could tell you more, however I just remember loving it while shoving it in my mouth...

Almond Butter Cacao Truffles

 Jason managed to get into these before I did...
They were a perfect treat.  Tasted pure and sweet without feeling full or guilty!  They gave me a little boost of energy in the middle of the day.

Tomato Basil Sea Crackers

I still have some of these.  They are packed along with me for snacks on our trip.
I love the texture.  They have enough flavor to eat solo or if you want to dip in something (though I have only eaten them plain).

Goji Berry Granola

This may have been my favorite product.  These were made as a to-go snack.
D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!  Perfect taste complete with a nice hint of cinnamon which I loved!

For those of you who are interested in the Raw lifestyle try some of these out.
I saw a couple things at Whole Foods, but I believe they are trying to expand to other places.

Definitely a must try even if you are not into the raw diet.. everything is delicious!

Busy Busy.

Quick Update..
Hope you enjoy the guest posts!!

We camped in a log cabin last night so no internet.

We are currently in Port Angeles.. Yes about 50 miles from Forks, Washington, home of Bella Swan from Twighlight!
I am not a big twighlight fan though I have read the books and was not to into the movie.

We also went to dinner at Bella Italia, the location of Bella and Edward's first date.
Not because of this but just because it had good reviews...

Tomorrow Jason, my mom and I are heading over to Vancouver Island while my sister heads back to Bend, Oregon.

Hopefully I get a chance to post later!!!

Guest Post- The Fitness Dish

I love Laury's Blog.  It was one of the first blogs that I began to read, and as a result found other blogs.

When I began reading her blogs, Laury was only recently pregnant.

Since then she has had a beautiful baby girl.  

I love reading how she has grown and how she has changed since becoming a mom.

She is so inspirational and motivating.

AND she also lives in the Philadelphia Area!!

I definitely want to try to meet up with her at some point.. 

Hello there! I'm Laury and I blog over at The Fitness Dish, which follows my life along with fitness and nutrition tips (and yummy recipes)! I'm a personal trainer, certified fitness nutritionist and a new mom to a beautiful baby girl!

Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite superfoods...HEMP! Hemp is an amazing source of plant protein, and it's a great source of many other amazing nutrients.

 I LOVE Hemp Milk, and I loooove adding hemp seeds to dressings, smoothies and yummy vegan desserts.

Such as...

Omega Tempeh Salad

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hemp Smoothie

or another variation of my favorite dessert...


Chocolate Peanut Butter Hemp Softserve

Why are Hemp Seeds so great, you ask?

Here's 5 reasons why...

1. They contain about 36.6% (complete) protein, making them the highest source of plant protein out there!

2. It’s more digestible than soy protein

3.It’s the highest plant source of essential fatty acids. Hemp Seed is a direct source of GLA (Gamma-linolenic acid/ Omega-6 fatty acid), Sterodonic Acid and Chlorophyll ( flax seed lacks all 3 of these)

4. Contains all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids that our bodies can not produce

5. It’s one of the most nutritionally complete food sources in the world!

So try adding some hemp seeds to your smoothie, or sprinkle it in your oats or a salad for some amazing nutrition!

Hope you enjoyed my post! 

xxoo

Laury