Thursday, December 30, 2010

You wanna know who is awesome?


My sister Nichole. She lives here in AZ about a street away from my mom. One of the reasons I love to come and visit my M&D here so much is because it's a package deal. I get to hang out with my sister and her fam the whole time too. Love it. My sis has always been such a great example to me of living a well balanced life. She is an incredible mom/sister/aunt/daughter/niece/catsitter...she takes care of everyone basically. She is smart, spiritual, funny, and gorgeous. She has always lived an active, healthy lifestyle, and she teaches the importance of being healthy to her kids. Yep...if you knew her you'd probably want to hate her cause she's just so great, but it's impossible...because on top of all that she's one of the most genuinely nice people I know. 
This morning she made these whole wheat pancakes for all the kiddies running around here.
Nichole's Wheat Pancakes
(makes 16 pancakes)
1 cup skim milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tbsp oil
2 eggs (or 1 egg/2 egg whites)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp agave

Mix all of these ingredients together in the blender and cook on a hot griddle or pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Nichole said she doubles this recipe and saves half of it in the fridge in a closed container for another quick easy breakfast later in the week. She also makes them with buttermilk sometimes.
 And of course, the stats (for one pancake)...what a great breakfast option. These pancakes are filling, and SUPER healthy. Top them with fruit, light syrup, honey, or peanut butter...yum. If your kids need a quick breakfast while they are running out the door, use two pancakes to make a PB&J.
 
Another reason my sister is the greatest...she lets me work out in her home gym whenever I come here. One day I will have a scchhhweeet set up like she does. One day.
 She has an elliptical, treadmill, smith machine, free weights, and a bench. Perfection.
She also has all sorts of shows on Tivo to keep me plenty entertained. This morning I opted for a little ABC Family featuring America's favorite cheese festival. Does everyone remember the Tanner's? Oh how I love Full House. If you think I am kidding about watching this while I worked out, I most definitely am not. I'm still a kid at heart. What can I say?
How about that flash huh? Yikes. The blackberry can't be controlled sometimes. Nichole also gave me those new shorts for Christmas...Thanks Nicky!! (Looks like someone's legs are ready for some summer sunshine.)

In a perfect world we would all have our own personal home gyms attached to our houses, right? BUT, in the mean time working out at home is COMPLETELY doable even if you don't. Get yourself a jump rope, some workout DVD's, a set of free weights, a medicine ball, a bike-trainer, a Garmin, a TRX trainer, or even just a pair of running shoes..etc. etc. etc. Not having access to a gym shouldn't be your excuse for not working out. The options are ENDLESS!! Click HERE, HERE, HERE, or HERE for some workouts you can do at home that will burn a TON of calories! 

So, Do you workout at home? Does the thought of the gym or running on a treadmill make you want to gag, or do you have to workout at a gym? I like a good mixture. I LOVE running outside, but I actually enjoy going to the gym to workout. Is that weird? 

13 comments:

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Can i visit your sister?! whole wheat pancakes and a HOME gym!

I am looking at joining a gym, though I much prefer outdoor activities. Bitter cold adn snow will force me inside! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, SWEET setup!

I like the same mix. I want to run outside, but I like going to the gym for my other workouts.

Shannon said...

I do like my outside runs, but miss my gym, too. I would love to have a home gym! And some days I just want to work out inside and watch TV.

Unknown said...

Soooo, since you're my new BFF, can we go vacation at your sister's? Her gym ia AMAZING and I love me some pancakes.

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

I LOVE NICHOLE....even though I have only met her once or twice, I just know she is just like you and that means amazing! Those pancakes look SO SO good!!! I would love to have that gym in my house with tivo=heaven. I love the gym but if I could run everyday outside I would!! Please give me your love for strength training!

Unknown said...

HUGS to you for the help with piknik! I'm going to go there right now!
Okay, I LOVE how you talk about your sister, she's LUCKY to have a great sister like YOU!
How does the Hungry Runner Girl know you and your sister? I know I'm new to your blog but I've been reading HRG's blog for a bit and now I'm curious AND confused!!
Thanks again, you're the best!!!

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

be happy to rent out space in your sisters workout room. :)

Chelsey said...

I want to have your sister for my sister. That home gym is AWEEESOME!

I only do workout videos at home. Otherwise, I hit the gym or run outside depending on the weather!

Jenn said...

Nice setup! Sounds like you have a great sister!! Actually, she's pretty lucky as well to have you speak so highly of her!!! I'm the oldest of 6 girls and just LOVE having all sisters!!

I like to run outside but sometimes the hours in which I run don't match up with quality temps outside so I'm on the mill. I have a treadmill and weights at home but I often run or workout at the gym for a change of pace. I LOVE to people watch. I actually just love the gym in general.

Have a Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

I want a home gym like that too! It would make working out with a baby much easier!! and I LOVE whole wheat pancakes! Yum, yum!

Mars said...

yumm whole wheat pancakes! And I would LOVE to have a home gym, although I feel like actually GOING to the gym is more motivating to me. Even as much as I think it's inconvenient sometimes to actually get there.

Katy said...

Wow. That is a sweet home gym. Maybe someday I will be blessed with something like that!

I love going to the gym, there's just something about it that makes me happy.

Anonymous said...

ahh i am so jealous of her home gym!! i only have a treadmill...we have no more room!