:: Real time Abs and Arms Workout! ::

Brittany and I actually filmed this video four times, we had camera and location difficulties. At the end of this video our arms and abs were BURNING!! This workout is a great one to tack on to your workout or to do on the deck this weekend!

Have a great one guys!!

:: Playing around on jump reformers, I LOVE these machines, Pilates and plyometrics all in one place! ::

:: Mom on her wedding day 30 years ago ::

They are both a huge inspiration to me. Seeing two people who work together, workout together and have fun together for 30 years is actually pretty amazing. They both make each other better people and their teamwork has proven to be very successful! I am so happy for them and I consider myself lucky to have them as parents.

:: 30 years later in the same dress!! ::

Can we talk about the fact that mom fit into her dress?!?!? Pretty amazing after 30 years it still fits like a glove! My mom and dad are healthier than ever, they workout at Bod Squad three times per week, dad lifts weights once more per week and my mom does yoga once or twice a week. They put me to shame!!! My parents are proof that age is really just a number, I think they look and feel even better than they did at their 20th anniversary! I look forward to 30+ more years of family Bod Squads and interval sprints!! Congratulations to the strongest couple I know, love you both!!

My goal was to break 40 minutes with the thinking that I had run the race in 42 minutes three years ago. On Saturday night I re-checked the past records and realized I'd only run 44:38 last time whew!! 

I'd trained for the run but nothing really more than I typically would do just for life training. I woke up feeling great and ready to go! When I got down to the start it was pretty cold but manageable. To stay warm I did a bit more warm-up stuff than I normally would which was fine but it made it really difficult to get a good starting position since people were standing at the start for 30 minutes prior to the race. When the race started I was having a hard time getting around people which drives me crazy!! If you sign-up to run a race in under 45 minutes you need to be a runner, not a jogger!! There are plenty of other corrals to join in. People where pushing behind me, I was pushing people in front of me who were looking at my like, 'stop pushing!', and I'm looking at them like, 'start running!". Next year I will try to be closer to the front for sure and I also hope that they make a sub 40 minute target group because I think that would help with the crowding at the start. 

The first 5k felt amazing, like I was floating down Yonge street. Then the wall hit like a ton of bricks between the 6 and 8 km markers. I know again for next year I need to do more longer, faster distance runs to keep me fast here. I thought I had sub 40 in a bag and then BAM! on came a huge cramp that I just couldn't shake for 2 km. Finally I started to pick it up again and finished in exactly 42:00! A personal best by 2 minutes and 38 seconds, can't ask for more and overall I'm really happy that I did the run! I can't wait to crush the 40 minute barrier next year! I want to go again right now and try!!

I wish Toronto did another huge 10k at the end of the summer, like September, down Yonge street. It would be great to have raced after a season of strong running. I'm sure a lot of people are in the same boat I am where I just got back into running after the winter about a month ago, it would be great to see what improvement we could make over a summer of running. Maybe I'll just make my own 10k!!

Who's with me?!

The best part of the race was knowing that over 2 million dollars were raise for Camp Ooch, a summer camp for kids with cancer. If you're thinking about running this race next year I highly reccommend it! It's a true athletic event highlight for Toronto, the feeling of looking down Yonge street and seeing 27,000 people running with you is pretty amazing! 

p.s. The reason why I don't have a finish photo is because I blondely gave Matt the wrong finish line area!! Again, more reason to run next year!

2. There is no perfect workout for everyone. We were all born to excel in different areas – just like some of us loved science in high school where others couldn't balance an equation to save their life, speaking from personal experience here! The key is finding the workout that works for you and sticking with it!

3. Diet is EVERYTHING. Gahhh I wish it weren't true but it is. Unfortunately it's wayyyy easier to eat 3,000 calories (one big bowl of fettuccine alfredo will get you close!) a than it is to burn them (running about 25 miles)!! The key here is preparation, make your meals in advanced and bring food to work, it's 100x healthier and you'll eat way less when you're not starving and making quick choices at a cafeteria.

4. Injuries are inevitable but the real sign of true fitness is how you pull yourself back off the floor from them. A lot of the time when we get injured it's hard not to think about what you can't do, where really the focus should be on what you can do. Physio and rehab is great but you also need to keep your training and fitness up in other areas, this will help keep you strong in the long run everywhere. The brutal truth about injuries that few practitioners will actually admit to is that they might never feel the same again. Learning how to work with your limitations and will make you stronger! This is SO important.

5. Myofasical release is the most under talked about form of therapy in fitness. The only thing I do every single day to say limber is foam roll / stick therapy. Especially in the hips and IT area. Happy hips, happy body! Watch me foam roll here.

6. Exercise is the fountain of youth.

My friend Hana, owner of Cafe Shu, had me over to show me some of her tips and tricks for throwing a healthy and delicious cocktail party! Hana doesn't just like food, she LOVES food and really cooks with a lot of heart! I came over and met with Ruby, Hana's bulldog / sous chef in-training. We got right to cooking!

:: Ruby, taste tester extraordinaire! ::

On the menu: Caesar salad bites, herbed mushroom goats cheese balls, beet romesco dip, and a pineapple-lime cocktail to wash it all down!

Caesar Salad Bites:

These tasted amazing! The dressing was made with tofu and mustard as a base – making the bites completely vegan and delicious! So much better than cheese and oil!!

Hana told me her secret to the chicken is cooking it with a lemon rub and also shredding instead of cubing chicken, it holds more sauce and has a much nicer texture. It really did make a big difference!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, baked with salt, pepper and olive oil
1 package silken tofu
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon  
Lots and lots of fresh ground pepper
Salt to taste
Romaine or endive leaves

Directions:

Roast chicken at 400F for 25-30 mins, until cooked through. Shred with two forks and set aside. In food processor, combine remaining ingredients (except for romaine/endive). Adjust seasoning to desired taste (adding more Dijon, garlic, pepper or salt). Pour sauce over shredded chicken and mix until well combine. Spoon chicken Caesar mixture into romaine or endive leaves.

Herbed Mushroom Goat Cheese Balls:

Hana whipped these up in 5.5 seconds and they were SO good! I love goats cheese and the combo with the mushrooms was to die for. 

Ingredients:

1 cup button mushrooms 
1 clove of garlic
1 package of goat cheese 
1 bunch fresh basil

Directions:

Sautee 1 cup button mushrooms with 1 clove of garlic. Set aside.

Mix 1 package of goat cheese with mushroom mixture until well incorporated. Roll goat cheese into bite-size balls.

Finely chop 1 bunch fresh basil. Spread chopped basil on a plate and roll goat cheese balls in basil until covered. Let sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.

Beet Romesco Dip:

I've never had a dip quite like this, it was awesome! A hummus-like flavour but with a little more punch!

Ingredients:

6 medium beets, roasted
½- 14oz can chickpeas
4 cloves garlic, roasted
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste
Water as needed

Directions:

Roast beets and garlic in tinfoil packages for at least 1 hour. Let cool. In food processor, combine beets and garlic. Add chickpeas and white wine vinegar and combine. Add parsley and blend again. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add water as needed until desired consistency is reached.

Pineapple Lime Cocktail:

Directions:

If possible juice 1 whole pineapple and 2 whole limes (remove rinds). Mix well. If buying store bought juice, make sure there is no sugar added. Mix 1 cup pineapple juice with 2 TBS lime juice. Mix well. Add 3 parts pineapple lime juice to 1 part vodka….ENJOY!

Cocktail party ready to go!

You can visit Hana anytime at Cafe Shu! She has great catering options with any and all of the food you see here today! She also makes an awesome juice cleanse and will have special offers for Bod Squaders this summer!! Thanks so much Hana for giving us your awesome recipes! Stay tuned for more Beauty and the Bod + Cafe Shu collaborations!

Here's a list of a few ideas I had to make my mom's day great (mom please let me know what you want!)

1. Home Sense by Cynthia Rowley pitcher + glasses – perfect for patio season: $9 pitcher, $3 per glass.

2. Home Depot (or any garden store) Lime Plant – great gift that will keep on giving all summer: $14

3. West Elm Shimmering Balsam Candle – the BEST scent ever! And it's on sale: $8

4. Manduka Yoga Mat – any of my hardcore yogi friends will tell you Manduka is the bomb-diggity when it comes to mats, truly top of the line: $78
A great side gift here would be to take your mom to yoga or sign-up for a free trial pass at Daily Burn Yoga and sample classes from world class instructors: Free

5. Tiny Devotions Mala – beautiful and meaningful, find the mala that best suits your mom: $113

6. FREE Bod Squad classes! For mom's all next week! If you're a Bod Squader right now please e-mail me to sign your mom up for a free class with you!

Yesterday I somehow convinced Matt it would be a good idea to do some hill sprints with me. When he agreed I couldn't believe it! Matt is very fit and plays rugby and hockey but the only time I've seen him run is when he's running for a ball!

Last summer I did hill repeats up "Woodchip", the big hill leading into the Rosedale ravine at South Drive. I haven't done a hill workout there since last August so I was predicting I'd be a little slower. Much to my delight we spanked that hill!! My times were in the low to mid 1:20s, a good 10 seconds faster than last year! Running with Matt really helped, yes I did let him win one …! It's good to revisit your workouts and check-in with your fitness. I'm not crazy about recording every single workout but it's good to know roughly where you stand and every now and then challenge yourself to be better! Yesterday was a hugely motivating workout for the Sporting Life 10k coming up this Sunday! Sub-40 here I come!!

I wish! This guy has perfect form and control through the classical Pilates sequence. SO hot! Haha!

Watch what he does with the cadillac!

I would love to have a machine like this … just not sure how it would work in our 500 square foot space, I think it would double as a couch so that could work!

Good luck to all those running the marathon this weekend! 

I have the best most supportive parents in the world; an incredibly strong business mother and an incredibly caring dad. When I was little, about 10ish I clearly remember having a conversation with my mom stating that if I decided to come home after university that would be fine but I would be paying rent to live at home. And she was absolutely dead serious. 

After graduating from university I decided to move to England with Matt and live over there for a year. Minus the plane ride over as my 21st birthday present, that trip was all funded on my own savings. I paid rent in pounds, travelled through Thailand on my own baht, relaxed on a beach in Bali on a towel paid for with my own rupiah and finally flew home on my own dollar. I came back with nothing and started my own business literally from grass roots in the park behind my parent's house. For the past three years I've paid my own rent – condo rent and business studio space, bought my own toilet paper & groceries and last but not least paid my own cell phone bills. I am SO grateful for it. Don't get me wrong, growing up in the world that I was blessed to it was tough initially to look around at my friends and see their parents shell out big bucks for their insane wardrobes, watch them save tons of money living at home meanwhile I was burning right through rent cheques! But I really think that being cut off was the catalyst and created the fire under my ass that has driven me to be independently successful today.

It might sound crazy but being cut off was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I grew up. I understand how money works. My relationship with Matt certainly went to a deeper level, we both didn't have jobs when we moved into our condo. We had to take a leap together and for the first time ever I actually carefully examined grocery store sale flyers – a great life skill! If you're about to move out on your own stop worrying about saving tons of money, I had $177.93 in my bank account the day I moved home and not much more than that a month later when we signed our lease! The bottom line is you will make it happen and life gets so much better when you take ownership of it. 

One thing I wish someone had told me before I started this business was how to think about making money as a business person. Before running my own business I'd never thought about the concept of paying myself a salary from the business earnings. That's the way I live this way now, it makes so much sense and it helps me forecast for the future – did you know that a commercial treadmill costs $10,000? To build the space I one day dream of having I'm going to need at least 10 of them. That's just one future cost I'll need to cover with the money I'm making today. I spend SO much less now than I used to and I've learned to appreciate things a lot more. Pay yourself an income with your current income put the rest in a fund or savings, it will help you so much down the road!

I get asked this question all the time: what do you make? Two years ago I would have though about it very differently, I would have said, $x and have been done with it. Today the "Christie Inc." answer is Preston Fitness can do really well if Christie Preston works her bum off. There are days that Preston Fitness can bill over $1,000 but then there are also days that the business can spend double that on operational costs. I'm sure you probably lead a stressful job but when was the last time you were asked to rent your own phone, desk, and single-handedly source all of your own clients? Start acting like you do now! When you have your own business there is no such thing as vacation, sick days, even off days aren't an option. In my case I've also got to look the part of a fitness professional, daily workouts are also not an option but an expectation. This is true for all of you though! Every single day we make choices that impact the rest of our lives. If you're not walking into work like you one day want to own the place then you're wasting your time! Even if you don't have a business yet start treating yourself and your books like a business. Make decisions based on your dreams and goals and own them.

With your own business you are not just trying to climb the corporate ladder. You have to source your own materials and build that ladder and then try to climb it and hope that your work doesn't crumble beneath you. But that's how it should always be. Own "You Inc.", the faster you start thinking of yourself as a business the better everything gets!

Like 5.5 million other people I was in total awww of her "Contortionist" video by Equinox.

I'm currently in between Bod Squad sessions so I'm on a mini vacation up at my cottage, a perfect chance to get back into yoga! On Friday I subscribed to a one week trial on Bri's website – Yogi's Anonymous. Her classes are AMAZING! They are unique and creative, probably the best yoga class I've ever done!

:: Bri and her husband Dice (an equally amazing yogi) have a yoga teacher training in Thailand this July, I would LOVE to attend but I'll be at Bod Squad! If you can make it this would be the trip of a lifetime! ::

I've made it my summer goal to learn how to properly do a handstand and re-learn how to do the splits. Often times most yoga classes I've been to veer away from teaching splits and handstands because they are a little dangerous and advanced but these classes are perfect for where I am right now with yoga. I highly recommend them if you're looking for a more advanced class that you can do at home. I also really like how you can't fast forward them and you have to go with their flow, makes it more like a real class.

:: The class wasn't quite this advanced! But still amazing! ::

Yoga this weekend has helped me relax, which for me is almost impossible! I love what I do so I miss it but I also appreciate the rest and I know I'll be coming back with tons of energy (and new moves!) for our first week back at class!  

:: Monday and Wednesday morning class! ::

:: Tuesday and Thursday night class! ::

:: Tuesday and Thursday morning class! ::

Aren't they the cutest!?!?

The people in these photos have inspired me SO much! Over the last eight months we have spent a ton of time together and I honestly can't imagine a better group of people. They make my mornings and nights so much fun! Thank you Bod Squad, you guys are the best!!!

We have a week off now and then we start outdoor Bod Squad Monday May 6! I can't wait to get outside, I've been busy dreaming up lots of new workouts … this is going to be our best summer yet! If you would like to join in on the fun sign-up here!! There are still a few spots open!!

:: Top: Lululemon, old (but similar here), Pants: Lululemon, Groove ::

When I was little, before I broke my left leg twice … long story, I could do the splits standing up while holding a playground ball on top of my head with one foot. Now, not so much but I'm bound and determined to try!

When I used to think about my fitness goals the last thing that came to mind was flexibility, I just didn't really see much of a need for it beyond the basic toe touch and you're done. Now after observing my clients and my own body more carefully I can really see how being mobile can really make you stronger. If you have super tight muscles that will cause you to fatigue faster in a strength workout. Being bendy can help improve your overall strength and conditioning in so many ways. Not to mention it just feels good to stretch it out!

Doing the spilts again is on my summer fitness bucket list. Here's hoping once I get there I can get back up!

I am a true chocoholic.

I actually struggle to make it through a day without it! This drink has re-created how I feel about breakfast, smoothies and life in general. It eradicates my hunger pangs for chocolate! I am completely addicted.

Serves 1 really hungry person

Ingredients

1 avocado

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup coconut water – or I also love just more almond milk

4 ice cubes

2 tablespoons of cacao powder (Whole Foods has it and this will last you weeks!)

2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Blend everything until completely smooth and drink immediately. 

At first I was amused reading through the case-study presented as fact article and then it started to bug the hell out of me. The main argument is this: too much running will lower certain thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH, … ) which in turn makes it impossible to lose weight, regardless of physical activity.

I am SICK AND TIRED OF TRAINERS (which, by the way this guy isn't even a trainer) WHO HAVE NEVER RUN WHO HATE ON RUNNING. I'm SICK OF IT. LEAVE US ALONE.

Sorry I had to get that off my chest.

I couldn't believe the amount of misrepresented, largely fabricated "evidence" this guy presented as fact. The first article cited is “Resting thyroid and leptin hormone changes in women following intense, prolonged exercise training” (Baylor LS, Hackney AC. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003 Jan;88(4-5):480-4.) The group considered in this study consists of females participating in running, rowing, and weight lifting. If you actually read the research article it says nothing about runners having thyroid problems it explains that post-heavy training periods, thyroid hormone levels go back to normal. The interesting part is that this is true for women who lift weight, and row (which is far closer to weight lifting, crossfit, etc, than to running), and run – these women in the study ALL show the SAME drops in thyroid hormones no matter what their activity. He goes on to cite 79 more research articles, most actually finding no significant difference in their conclusions. Not a single article he sites actually supports his claim that women should not run.

The article also mentions that women who train for competitions gain weight after because the cardio sessions messed up their bodies. Hello!!?? What about the weeks of starvation and dehydration these people put themselves through? They aren't just running for three hours a day and lifting weights for another two, they are doing it on a single boiled chicken breast. So unhealthy on so many levels, all the power to you if that's how you like to spend your time but the reason why so many figure competitiors gain weight after competitions is they eat for the first time in months… and they eat a lot, not because they've been running too much. I could go on about this topic alone but I'm going to stop here for today.

:: Look! I'm running here and I am not fat ::

I'm a runner and I'm a trainer and a Pilates instructor and a frequent dabbler in all types of fitness – I like to think that I draw the best from everything. I lift weights and swing the odd 54 lb kettlebell but I do not lift crazy heavy weights. I've done the lift heavy thing and I've been 25 lbs heavier feeling bulking and not being able to fit into jeans properly! Not a good look and frankly I was not comfortable with my body at the peak of my lifting years. That's just MY experience, I don't force it on others! I am the happiest I've ever been in my skin now and that's been through a combination of diet, interval running, steady-state running, plyometrics, Pilates and weight training. 

I agree with is article that steady-state running is not the most optimal choice for fat loss. I am a huge believer in interval running and ever since I started integrating sprints into my workout routine I've been more lean and they have improved my overall fitness and posture so much. Without running in my mix I feel lethargic and thick. I'm way more functionally fit now than I ever was when I was rowing and weight training 12x per week. I've done Crossfit and I often draw workout inspiration from it but that program isn't for everyone, just like running marathons or going to spin classes everyday isn't also!

So please, to the trainers and article writers who keep shouting at women to "Lift Heavy" … only – stop hating on other forms of training – we are all in this together. Our message should never be don't but explore and find out what works best for you! Variety is the spice of life afterall and I think it's also the spice of a healthy fitness routine.

What's my bottom line? Find what works best for your body and excel at it, eat well and be happy for everyone in the gym… we are all miles ahead of everyone on the couch! 

I LOVE this video and often watch it from time to time when I'm needing a little motivation. Will Smith speaks like a preacher here and it's amazing. His message that talent is something you have naturally where skill takes hours to work at your craft really resonates with me. Your talent will fail you if you are not skilled. So good!

I've found that this couldn't be more true for trainers and for business people. If you're a talented athlete that will basically get you to only about 10% of what the job of a trainer requires. The other 90% takes real skill – learning how to read people, creating new workouts, knowing when to push and when to put on the breaks, when to cheer on and when to make someone get serious and focus. It's an art that truly takes tons of practice to do well and right. I'm far from perfect but I'm the best trainer that I know of and I would hire me in a heartbeat. Having that kind of confidence in your skill is so critical and key for success. No matter what you're doing, be skillful, believe in yourself and the best that you know of at it.

If you are a trainer or thinking of becoming one or even thinking of starting your own business you need to believe that your voice matters right away and that you are skillful at your job. When you are telling other people what to do you need to have a ton of conviction in what and how you direct them. Have a plan, keep constant contact – eyes always on, and practice what you preach are my top three helpers here. These can really be applied to any job but in my case I train people twice my age with crazy intense jobs and I'm there, a 24 year old girl telling them what to do and they listen! It's wild and I LOVE it!! 

There is absolutely no reason to believe you're not skillful if you are giving your job your all 100% of the time. Your clients will enjoy seeing your progress and growth, they want to be better with you. And like Will says, your life will become better by making other people's lives better. It is so much better to give than it is to get. My job allows me to give everyday in the best way I know how. 

This absolutely is my Plan A. I know I will have Plan A – 2.0 and likely Plan A – 3.0 but I know that I will never take this for granted and I will constantly be working at being better for my clients but most importantly for myself. 

Be better.

Be skillful.

Believe in yourselves!

It's getting WARM outside! I can't wait to take Bod Squad outside again. 

Sign-ups are LIVE here!! The late night class is almost full!! Get your spot reserved asap, this spring promises to be very busy!!

I'm really looking forward to kicking it up at notch this year at Bod Squad! I've got a lot of great new moves under my belt from the indoor season, my Pilates certification and three four years of running Bod Squads! We are at a new night-time location right on the subway line that features a fantastic hill (bigger than Chorley) – get SO excited for it.

At Bod Squad our workouts focus on plometrics, circuit & body-weight training and lots of interval running. As many of you already know, or have probably guessed I teach my classes at an advanced intensity level – everyone is welcome but coming with the right mindset helps a lot – you can do this and together we really push hard!

You guys, the Bod Squaders are what make this class so much fun to teach, I've never met a Bod Squader I didn't love and I can't wait to meet more of you in the park! 

Sign-up and get moving now – we really hit the ground running May 6!

:: Jessica Biel … not bulky and she works out!! ::

I don't want you to get bulky either! Here is the truth loud and clear ladies: The 10 lb weight you're lifting won't make you bulk up BUT the food you're eating will!!! Your arms are big because they are fat, not because they are too muscular. Muscle doesn't turn into fat … muscle will burn fat!

:: Stacy Keibler lifting weights! ::

If you can't do at least 20 full push-ups now then expect your boobs to be hanging below your ribs by the time you're 40 … and that's NOT feminine at all!! I'm totally serious about this. It actually will happen. It's not pretty so drop and give me 20 now! 

Lean muscle mass increases your metabolism to burn more fat on your body. Weight training is your friend, not your foe. I'm not talking about dead lifting 300 lbs or being able to bicep curl 45 lbs, body weight trianing, plyometrics and interval training all have given my body my best results yet. Adding variety to your training by concentrating on different muscle groups will keep you from feeling "bulky" and it will keep your muscles guessing what's next which will essentially shock your body into change! 

Stop being scared of your workouts and start being scared of those 12 cookies you ate last night. If you're eating right and working out consistently 5-6x per week you're going to see some awesome changes in your body.

Strong is the new sexy. You go pump it up girl!

:: Laura – the lovely & latest Lululemon run ambassador, me & Kyle – fellow Bod Squader! ::

Run club for the next month is designed around training for the Sporting Life 10k coming up on May 12th. My ambitious goal is to try to run a sub 40 minute time -yikes!! Two years ago I ran it in about 42 minutes and change so I'm hoping that with the help of this run club and a few more years of wisdom under my belt I'll be able to knock a few minutes off that time.

:: Look how cute & colourful we are!! ::

If you have ever run Sporting Life before you probably love it on race day because 98% of the run is downhill. The day after though LOOK OUT, your legs will be burning more than ever! That's because running downhill forces the muscles in your legs to eccentrically contract (they tense at a lengthened part of your stride). We don't normally train to run fast downhill hence the super sore feeling the next day! Last night we did downhill repeats of poplar plains hill, it was fun and very fast!

Tips to Running Downhill FAST!

• Let your hips relax – most of the time we instictively break going downhill and let our knees and hips lock to slow us down, try to keep your joints as soft as possible and focus on fast turnover of your feet
• Keep a tall posture – don't slump forward or lean too far back
• Watch that you're not jamming your heels into the hill or running too much on your toes, a nice even foot placement is ideal for downhill running

Training for this 10k has been really motivating for me to get outside and run again. Last night it was so much fun to run with the brightly coloured lemons (what Lululemon people call themselves). It's been a lonngggg winter of treadmill training and as much as I enjoy the odd treadmill trot it will be really nice to get outside for longer runs and smell the roses again! 

Run club runs every Monday night at 6 pm out of Cumberland Lululemon – it's a BLAST and I'm going to try to be there as much as possible! Hope to see you on a run soon!!

I really love her first cookbook, I think it's nicely balanced with healthy recipes and a few treats sprinkled through the pages. Last week I made her fish tacos and they were to die for! This new book however, basically consists of 20 different ways to cook quinoa.My biggest complain is the formatting is awful, I'm a total picture reader with cookbooks – if it looks good, I'll make it. This new book has 3-4 recipes on a single page! Instead of five different chicken recipes I would prefer just getting the best one. It's really overwhelming and not aesthetically pleasing at all. 

If I could only own one of her books hands down I would pick "my father's daughter". It's way more real feeling and the recipes are well thought out and every single thing I've made from it is better than I expect it to taste!

:: Candy Bars ::

This weekend I decided to take the book on a test drive and I made her "Candy Bars". These sounded like they were going to be delicious but again I was not impressed, they were good – not great. 

If I were to make these candy bars again I would suggest a few changes to make them better! I think the idea has a ton of potential and I will make them again using these tweaks!

My Candy Bars

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups raw cashews

1/2 cup dates, pitted and roughly chopped

1 cup almond butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Grind the cashews in a food processor into a very fine meal. Add the dates, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut, and almond extract. Pulse until you have a sticky dough ball.

Roll the dough onto a sheet pan so it's about 1 inch thick then place in the fridge until firm (4 hours), if you're in a rush freeze for about 30 minutes. 

Then melt chocolate and brush a thin layer over the hardened dough mixture. Put back into the fridge for 20 minutes or until completely firm.

Serve cold – straight from the fridge.

Bottom Line: This cookbook gets a 4/10 in my books but her first book is a 10/10 – hands down the best resource in my kitchen.

:: My ambassador poster in the store at Lululemon Cumberland!::

This week my fitspriation came from some amazing news from Lululemon! They have extended my contract to two years along with a whole list of other great things!! I am in love with this company. The people there are amazing and I love just going in to say hi! I feel so lucky to be supported by them and I can't wait for more opportunities with them.

:: A quick hello turned into me walking out with three new pieces!!::

Brittany and I poped in the store after trying to film another video yesterday that turned into a two hour fail – our camera stopped working, people were in the way, everything that could go wrong did go wrong – just brutal!! We are meeting up on Sunday so you will have a new video next week for sure! While we were there I did do some major damage – Lulu has some great spring stuff in right now!! I'm wearing the Inspire II Crops – my favourite!! And the Open Soul Tank – I ended up buying this in white!

My favourite online video of the week was from Fiji MacAlpine yoga – I LOVE her! Fiji has a new class, "Beautifully Bound" that I can't wait to do this weekend! Get the class for free here!