Happy Monday! I'm especially chipper this morning. I taught my 6 a.m. spin class this morning and I'm off to work (for a very long day) but this is my last full week of work before I get to go home to Florida for a much needed little break. I cannot wait to get back to the sunny 85 degree weather (although this weekend in Philly was warm!!) and spend a lot of time with the family. 

This past weekend was great - I didn't get home until around 7:30 on Friday night and had zero energy to do anything, but I woke up refreshed on Saturday morning. I taught a great Super Circuits class at Sweat Fitness, ran some errands, baked and relaxed. My ideal Saturday. Saturday night Michael and I went to a Christmas party with a lot of his Men's Health co-workers. A little too much alcohol, pizza and chips called for a very lazy Sunday, which I had no problem with :)

So Rachel from athleticavocado.com put together an Epic Roundup of Healthy Gingerbread Recipes where I found this amazing Pear Gingerbread recipe made by Lindsay from theleangreenbean.com! I just had to make it. I used Lindsay's recipe as a guide, but I did have to adapt it because I do not have a loaf pan in my new apartment yet, I didn't have any white whole wheat flour on hand (aka Lindsay's recipe is a tad healthier) and I didn't have any pears. SO, I worked with what I had to create these Apple Gingerbread Muffins. They came out incredible, so I bet that Lindsay's Pear Gingerbread recipe is out of this world. 

[yumprint-recipe id='10'] I LOVE these. I've never been one to use ginger a whole lot in my baking  and cooking, but it adds SO much flavor. It will definitely become a staple from now on! This recipe is very easy to throw together, and the yogurt icing is so delicious! I used plain greek yogurt, some powdered sugar and some vanilla extract. 

Have a wonderful day! Thank you, Lindsay for the awesome recipe inspiration!

XO- Rach

Good morning!  I've got a great, pinnable workout to share with everyone this morning. Yesterday morning I taught my Super Circuits class in Old City and I was so surprised with the turnout! I usually have a small class of about 5-8 women, but yesterday I had about 15 people - even a couple guys. I love the energy that a bigger class gives off. 

Before I taught, I had to down a 16 oz of Wawa's Pumpkin Spice Coffee...if you haven't had it GO GET IT NOW. Their pumpkin spice coffee is better than any other coffee places. And way cheaper. 

Anyway, on to the fun stuff. This Super Sweaty Circuit Workout consists of 4 different circuits and a little core burnout at the end. Each circuit is designed to focus on a specific part of the body. I think this one got us all sweatier than usual because after each circuit, that muscle group was a bit fatigued. 

For the elevated side squat, you simply have one foot on the bench and you bring it down into a squat and then immediately come up to raise your opposite leg. I demo this one in the short video below! The chest press and skull crusher combo means that you will be laying on the bench. You start with a basic chest press, turn your palms to face each other at the top and then go into a skull crusher (tricep extension.)

The alternating reverse lunges to a single leg deadlift are also in the short video below. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite exercises! Single leg deadlifts are an awesome exercise not only for your hamstrings and glutes, but also for your core and stability. This combo movement is a great one to ease you into doing single leg deadlifts because it will take some of the balance challenge away by adding the lunges in. 

Here's  snippet of some of the moves this video is also on my Instagram - with a little better quality!):

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpWc4xiE-LQ[/embed]

On another note, who's celebrating Rosh Hashana today? I'm making a dinner tonight for Michael and I and we are going to FaceTime my family in Florida. Sad that we can't be all together but technology kind of makes it possible! I'm making a turkey breast, matzoh ball soup and this honey cake. I'm excited. 

Michael and I just walked to our local coffee shop (at the train station) for some lattes and I'm about to head out for a long run in this BEAUTIFUL 70 degree weather. It's starting to feel like fall and I am so happy :) After that I'll get cooking.

I LOVE SUNDAYS!!

XO- Rach

What's your favorite thing to do on a Sunday?

I've got two recipes to share! A burger with melted mozzarella and bacon paired with a spinach, berry and beet salad with an olive oil honey glaze for the dressing. Sounds fancy? It's really not. With the 4th of July coming up this weekend, I'm feeling rather festive lately and wanted to make something fun and different than I usually make for dinner. I stopped by Trader Joe's after work today (note to self: avoid going to Trader Joe's Monday afternoons at 5:45 p.m. at all costs) and the cheese section was calling my name. I have been craving cheese like crazy lately and I never splurge and buy fresh mozzarella, so it happened.

Burger Ingredients (for one serving):

• 1 lean ground beef patty
• Hearty slice of mozzarella cheese
• 1 slice of bacon (cooked)
• Lawry's seasoning salt (to taste)

Directions:

• Spray small pan with cooking oil
• Season patty with seasoning salt
• Cook on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes each side
• Place mozzarella on burger once flipped
• Let cheese melt, remove from heat and garnish with crispy bacon

For the salad:

• Toss together spinach, sliced strawberries, beets and blueberries (EASY!)
• I suggest adding walnuts or pine nuts to this as well. I loved it as is, but an extra little crunch would be delicious.

Dressing (makes 2 servings):

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp greek yogurt (I use full fat)
• 1 tsp sea salt

Directions:

• Heat oil and honey over medium heat in a small saucepan
• Once oil starts to bubble, take the saucepan off heat and whisk the mixture
• Pour oil and honey into a bowl and add the yogurt and salt
• Whisk until you get a creamy consistency

Plate everything and enjoy!

I think I'll have to make these burgers again on Saturday!

- Rach