Hi guys!
Well I guess I’m back to my blabbering self today!
So weird story. Yesterday morning I woke up and the back of my neck was kind of itchy so I put some hydrocortisone cream on it and forgot about it. Then last night when I was babysitting I started getting super itchy.. and when I looked in the mirror I had a rash/hives all over my neck, chest, back, arms, stomach, and spots on my legs! It was awful! Me being a nurse I tried to figure out what caused it- different med/supplement? nope. Different food? nope. Different detergent? nope. Different soap? Nope.. so I came home, took a shower, put calamine lotion on, and took an antihistamine. This morning the rash was gone.. so weird! I still have no idea what caused it.
Needless to say I slept pretty good from that medicine! LOL. I woke up at 7 and decided to hit up the gym while it was still early and not crowded. My pre-workout breakfast was 5.5 oz baked and mashed sweet potato microwaved with 1/4 cup Daisy 2% cottage cheese, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla stevia:
195 calories, 8 grams of protein, 28 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fat
Yummy!
Today’s workout was based around the Pull muscles- back, biceps, and abs. Here’s what I did:
- Bent Over Row- 1 set of 10 with 35 pounds (warm up), 5 sets of 6 with 65 pounds, 1 set of 4 with 75 pounds
- Weighted Supine Row (I didn’t use the bench)- 3 sets of 8
- Seated Row- 5 sets of 6 with 70 pounds, 1 set of 4 with 75 pounds
- EZ Bar Curls- 2 sets of 8 with 30 pounds, 2 sets of 5 with 40 pounds
- Hammer Curls- 2 sets of 12 with 30 pounds
- One Arm Row- 2 sets of 8 on each arm with 27.5 pounds
- Weighted Swiss Bar Crunches- 4 sets of 8 with 12 pounds (**You must keep arms behind your ears.. you’ll feel it big time!)
- Straight Leg Knee In’s/Weighted Crunch combo- 12 pounds, 4 sets of 20 (I have no idea what this is called and I probably made it up.. maybe I should take a picture!)
- 10 minutes on the elliptical using my back to move
- Underhand Chin Up- **NOT ASSISTED 12 reps
- Wide Grip Pull Up- **NOT ASSISTED 4 reps
I was pretty darn proud of those last two.. have you guys ever tried doing a wide grip pull up? The one that uses only your back.. it’s tough stuff! I got in 4 reps today.. woohoo!!
Then I came home and had a yummy but ugly post-workout snack! I promise it tasted way better than it looked. It was simply 1/2 cup 0% Fage mixed with 1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese, 1 serving chocolate whey, 1/2 cup defrosted dark sweet cherries (for a fast-acting carb), and the usual seasonings:
300 calories, 33 grams of protein, 31 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fat
Yummy! Cherries are another one I don’t eat too often due to the sugar content.. but it made it an easy way to get in some carbs!
About 3 hours later I was hungry! Salmon Sunday was today as usual. I had 3.5 oz of salmon covered in cayenne pepper; roasted asparagus with pepper and cayenne; 3.5 oz brown rice, and “yam cake” (see below):
When I say covered in cayenne.. I mean covered in cayenne!
305 calories, 29 grams of protein, 28 carbs, 13 grams of fat
I found this “yam cake” at the Asian Market a while back and bought it with a coupon that was sent to me from House Foods.
It has almost no calories.. I looked it up online and saw it’s how they make the shirataki noodles! I had no idea what to do with it so I just chopped it up and cooked it in a pan with Braggs, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. It was.. odd.. it tasted fine but was kind of rubbery! It helped add volume to the rice though.
An hour later and still hungry I went to old faithful- a double portion with 2 tsp Sunland mixed nut butter:
270 calories, 44 grams of protein, 12 carbs, 6 grams of fat
After lunch my dad and I went to Costco for the staples- salmon, broccoli, Fage 0%, sweet potatoes (but they were all out! 
) and other various items for the family that I don’t eat (Cheerios, bread, etc.).
When we got back my dad and I went on a 2 mile walk- the weather was perfect! I had a snack when I got back (with my strength training and walk I burned over 500 calories!) I had my new favorite snack- sweet egg omelet! I cooked up 1 cup liquid egg whites with Capella french toast flavor drops, cinnamon, and one packet stevia. Then I topped it with 1 tbsp 0% Fage mixed with 1 tsp bee pollen, 7 grams of almonds, and a drizzle of sugar free maple syrup:
180 calories, 27 grams of protein, 2 carbs, 4 grams of fat
Ok guys- it’s back! I’m enjoying the sugar free maple syrup and Walden Farms calorie free chocolate sauce again.. and I’m not ashamed! That’s the worst thing I eat in my diet (I don’t even out Flat-Outs anymore!) So I’m pretty sure a little splenda is not going to kill me. Besides if girls who look like this:
Jamie Eason.. she has an amazing body
Can eat sugar free stuff and look like that I’m sure I can too! 
For dinner I made a simple stir-fry type thing.. I simply cooked up 1 zucchini and 1 summer squash with Braggs, water, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan until soft. Then I added 4 oz of lean ground turkey breast, 1/2 tsp taco seasoning, and homemade salsa until warm. Finally, I threw in 1/2 an avocado:
290 calories, 28 grams of protein, 4 carbs, 17 grams of fat
Realizing I’m way too short on calories to build or maintain my muscle.. I know dessert is a must! I’m going to have my new favorite (I’ve been eating it every night for the past 3 days) – cottage cheese, cocoa powder, Walden Farms Calorie Free Chocolate Syrup, and peanut butter!:
270 calories, 38 grams of protein, 10 carbs, 14 grams of fat **BUT I may add more peanut butter
Well I better get going! I need to pack my backpack, pack my snacks, plan out my meals, and get my gym bag ready for the morning. And maybe study but I doubt it
See ya later!
I LOVE Jamie Eason!!!
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i am so sorry to hear about that rash! hopefully it won’t come back again!
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why dont you eat FLAT outs? just curious? I use them for “pizzas” alot
I have tried a few walden farms products and NEVER EVER liked them so I am scared to try the choc sauce…i tried the marshmallow dip and choc sauce dip…they tasted like chemicals to me.
But I am curious about this one you say is good….maybe ill give it a try.
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April Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Hi Shari! Flat-outs actually hurt my stomach! I don’t know why.. I was assuming it was one of the preservatives in them or something. They aren’t bad but I figured I should do away with them since they don’t agree with me!
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great workout! So weird about the rash! Maybe stress or something?? I’m so glad it went away!!
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what is this ommlette maker you speak of!? i thiiink i want to get one
share the deets on that baby 
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hot dang, homegirl is RIPPED. If that doesn’t make you want to go workout, I don’t know what would.
I’m definitely going to be trying that cottage cheese dessert…looks like a winner!
Have a great night, my new best friend! hehehe.
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Loving the cayenne-covered salmon and asparagus…spicy! Sugar-free stuff is my vice, too. I try to keep it in moderation though!
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“so I’m pretty sure a little splenda is not going to kill me”–Well said b/c you know what, life is about moderation, common sense, and living a little. Enjoy it babe!
And the rash. Could be a food allergy. You’re gonna immediately say, but i dont have any. Well, I had an anaphalatic reaction to shellfish at age 23 after a lifetime of never an issue and now I could die if i have it. Not trying to scare you! but it is possible to just develop food allergies outta the blue…I did!
Keep us posted!
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ack sorry about the rash! you think it could just be the weather? my skin has been out of control recently with these cold temps!
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Too bad about the hives/rash! Maybe you should check it out with a doctor? Better safe than sorry!!
Love that yummy looking sweet potato “mess!”
<3 jess
xoxo
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Yuck, rashes are NO FUN! I must try the sweet potato breakfast and cayenne covered salmon, haha!
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holy cayenne! i commend you my dear – i am such a pansy when it comes to spicy food. i need to start practicing. also, totally obsessed with the cookie dough. so. dang. good.
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i’ve always looked up to jamie eason, her body is amazing! it’s healthy and muscular!
and i’m glad that you like the calorie free chocolate syrup, because i tried the calorie free whipped pb and it was DISGUSTING AND APPALLING! haha, no lie. hands down nastiest thing i’ve ever eaten
oh and congrats on those unassisted moves!
♥ lindsey
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Your workouts are so impressive and put mine to shame, haha!
Way to go girl!! 
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dang girl ur workouts are IMPRESSIVE!
that girl looks so good-look at those abs!
eating cookie dough in the am..already made it..in honor of you!
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Wow, you lift crazy heavy weight. Mine are like half of yours!
And I lift more then most girls at my gym, LOL!(Actually, I never see a lot of girls out on the floor lifting, most are partial to the Bodypump Class, which is a class that does lifting for an hour, but it bores me to tears). After a while, their bodies stop changing…seen it happen, they never move their weights up! I really need to get back into the lifting. I did some today after my run and it was all good! Have a great night 
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Ooh, love the idea of cherries with Fage!
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way to go on your chin ups, April!
your pre workout snack looks delicious
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WOW, love the pre workout fuel. That Jamie Easton does have an amazing body ! I would love to rock those muscles
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Ok, I just have to know….12 consecutive chins???
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Glad the rash is gone!
Love salmon and I am so craving your egg omlet! Mmmmm
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Hmmm, that’s really interesting about the rash! I wouldn’t worry unless it comes back… sometimes weird allergies or whatever spring up for no apparent reason.
OMG, I am LOVING your pre-workout breakfast. So unique!
xxoo
Heather
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OK, so do you have ANY tastebuds left????? I would think that they were burned off by that cayenne! I was never one for hot stuff, but about a year ago, I developed a love of wasabi peas. I’ll eat them by the fistfull – at 2:00am! ha ha.
I’ve seen the yam cake in the Asian Market by me. I knew that it’s what they made shiratakis out of, so I counted on that chewy/rubbery texture. I have yet to pick up the cake, as I can’t figure out what to do with it. I do like the noodles though. They are fun to work with and you can get rid of the rubbery texture. Have you tried those yet?
And, yeah, Jamie’s body rocks! But then she’s an Oxygen girl, and they all rock! Those picks defintely motivate you to hit the gym day in and day out. If I’m feeling like I’m having an off day, I glance through the mag, and then I’m off and running to the gym.
Way to go on those wide grip chin ups! Awesome.
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How funny! I got to explore an Asian market this weekend too! I spied the yam cake, but had NO idea what to do with it , so I just snagged some of the shiratake noodles instead. No soy! I was so excited! Have a wonderful week! xoxo
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Oh goodness, the rash/hives sound awful!
Hopefully it won’t come back!
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Love that workout! I need to do the weighted supine row! May help me get the wide grip pull-up I have been working towards for months! You already have 4! OK, you are like 30+ years younger than me.
Weird thing on that rash!!! Craziness! Glad it is gone!
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I can picture the Straight Leg Knee-Ins/Weighted Crunch combo you’re talking about, and I’ve honestly never seen anyone perform that combo before. It may not even have a name. But working out is all about innovation and concepts, so I’m crediting you with the invention.
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LOVE jamie eason, she is a freakin powerhouse!!! and awesome bod on her as well. love your meals, and the sweet potato nuked with spices, I need to try that!!
breaking up your workouts into push pull is a great idea, I give that split to my clients all the time and they love it and see results! so weird about the Rash! that happened to me a few months ago, I got some hydroxixine and lotion and it helped!
happy monday, April
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You know what girl, we are human. No one can have a 100% clean processed free diet (or at least I couldn’t without feeling super restricted) so you shouldn’t have any shame! You eat so super clean…you wouldn’t want to get to the point where you were afraid to eat something just because you didn’t make it yourself you know?
You are SO gonna be as ripped as Jamie Eason…she is a rockstar!
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I LOVE waldens farms maple syrup but everything else ive tasted is yuck!!
and VERY nice on the chin ups–I can do 4 chin ups in a row and my goal is to get to 5, and then 1 pull up!
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I am glad that rash went away…it does sound like an allergic reaction of some sort. Have you introduced anything new into your diet lately??
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Wow congrats on the pull-ups/chin-ups! Those sound intense!
Weird about that rash, hopefully it’s gone for good! Have you done anything differently at the gym or worn anything different? I noticed that I’ve got a little bit of a rash where my HR monitor has been rubbing the top of my wrist, so I’m loosening it up a bit.
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Never heard of yam cake!!!!! Oh girl i love ya, you need to have a yogurt mess tomorrow for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!! Put that on your menu for breakfast!!!
Jamie Eason is a hottie, she has shot with a couple of the same photographers I have : ) she is a sweetheart I have heard!
How did I get back in shape after my son, well chasing him around does very well for your body!!! I started eating really clean too!!!
Keep rocking your hot body love and those guns!!!!
Much love!!!!
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WOW that’s a lot of chin-ups and pull-ups! I just was able to do 1 chin-up the other day and you can do 12!?!?
I don’t freak out about splenda and artificial sweeteners either. I try not to go crazy, but I use splenda almost everyday. I tried stevia a couple of times but just didn’t like it. Maybe one day.
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I TRULY love your blog:) You are fantastic. I keep on trying your recipes and I haven’t disliked ANY of them yet!! My fav is the power chocolate muffin and the pumpkin cocoa bars! My next one to do is the power up pumpkin cookies!!!
I want to start weightlifting more and you’ve given me the inspiration to do so!!! You rock!! XOXO ANd thank you for commenting on my blog:) Totally made my day!!
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jamie eason is the shit!
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