I've been feeling really bad that I have not posted for a few weeks. Getting towards the end of term is always hard - we are finalising reports, planning week was last week and parent teacher interviews this week. Holidays are coming up, so expect a few new recipes then!
So... trying to put on weight is hard! I know people say that it creeps on without you knowing, but that's not happening for me! Im wanting to chuck on as much muscle as possible and have got quite a while before comp time (March), so lots of time to achieve that. BUT, in saying that, I have been working my but cheeks off for nearly 6 months now and have seen great results, but I feel like I've leaned up more than put on muscle. I'm definitely stronger and more muscular in all the right places, so I'm a bit unsure as to my muscle growth / fat loss (am being retested on Friday so will find out then and update).
So, as my previous posts explained, I ordered some creatine to assist with the muscle growth and gym performance. I have been taking it for 3 weeks now and have put on 1.5 kilos which is pretty good. I feel ok on it and don't have any "bloating" as has been reported by many, but definitely do notice that I'm feeling a little softer than usual, especially my stomach, but I knew that and even though it's depressing, was expecting it. I didn't notice any improvement to weight lifting until yesterday, which was about 3 weeks in. I was able to up most of my weight on biceps / triceps, which I haven't been able to do for a while. AND I have finally noticed my biceps coming through - finally! I have never been able to see much definition but over the past 3 weeks they seem to have made an appearance which is aweseome!
It takes about 4 weeks on a 5g daily dose to hit maximum creatine levels, so I am expecting a bit more weight gain from that, but we will see. I'm very much aware that muscle gain & fat loss are hard to do simultaneously especially for girls, so my focus is purely on muscle gain, and if a bit of fat comes with it, so be it. More warmth for the winter! My eating is out of control too. Not in a bad way, I'm just eating carbs like I'm training for a marathon. It's amazing how much food I can put away in a day! My biggest issue at the moment is that I feel like I am eating too much and eating for the sake of eating. I am trying to come up with recipes that are still nutrient dense but are also higher in calories so I can eat less, but get calories in faster. Eating this many calories has probably been the hardest thing I've done so far in this journey. And the comments I get at work about the amount I eat isn't fun either!
So, I've been working in the kitchen and have devised a few little recipes lately and chucked them on my instagram - #thenutritiousfoodie. My bf thinks that putting avocado in desserts is strange, I think its delicious. This peppermint slice is made from avocado and coconut oil and is chock a block full of good fats, but be aware, it does have a bit of maple syrup in it, so a little square is all you need :-)
So... trying to put on weight is hard! I know people say that it creeps on without you knowing, but that's not happening for me! Im wanting to chuck on as much muscle as possible and have got quite a while before comp time (March), so lots of time to achieve that. BUT, in saying that, I have been working my but cheeks off for nearly 6 months now and have seen great results, but I feel like I've leaned up more than put on muscle. I'm definitely stronger and more muscular in all the right places, so I'm a bit unsure as to my muscle growth / fat loss (am being retested on Friday so will find out then and update).
So, as my previous posts explained, I ordered some creatine to assist with the muscle growth and gym performance. I have been taking it for 3 weeks now and have put on 1.5 kilos which is pretty good. I feel ok on it and don't have any "bloating" as has been reported by many, but definitely do notice that I'm feeling a little softer than usual, especially my stomach, but I knew that and even though it's depressing, was expecting it. I didn't notice any improvement to weight lifting until yesterday, which was about 3 weeks in. I was able to up most of my weight on biceps / triceps, which I haven't been able to do for a while. AND I have finally noticed my biceps coming through - finally! I have never been able to see much definition but over the past 3 weeks they seem to have made an appearance which is aweseome!
It takes about 4 weeks on a 5g daily dose to hit maximum creatine levels, so I am expecting a bit more weight gain from that, but we will see. I'm very much aware that muscle gain & fat loss are hard to do simultaneously especially for girls, so my focus is purely on muscle gain, and if a bit of fat comes with it, so be it. More warmth for the winter! My eating is out of control too. Not in a bad way, I'm just eating carbs like I'm training for a marathon. It's amazing how much food I can put away in a day! My biggest issue at the moment is that I feel like I am eating too much and eating for the sake of eating. I am trying to come up with recipes that are still nutrient dense but are also higher in calories so I can eat less, but get calories in faster. Eating this many calories has probably been the hardest thing I've done so far in this journey. And the comments I get at work about the amount I eat isn't fun either!
So, I've been working in the kitchen and have devised a few little recipes lately and chucked them on my instagram - #thenutritiousfoodie. My bf thinks that putting avocado in desserts is strange, I think its delicious. This peppermint slice is made from avocado and coconut oil and is chock a block full of good fats, but be aware, it does have a bit of maple syrup in it, so a little square is all you need :-)
Avocado mint cream slice
Chocolate layer:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp peppermint essence
Melt all together in a medium saucepan. Pour into a tin lined with baking paper and chuck in the freezer for 5 mins. I used a small loaf tin to make this as I wanted a thicker slice, it would be too thin in a larger tin. You could always double / triple the recipe if you want to make a bigger slice.
Mint cream layer
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup coconut oil melted
1 tbsp lime juice (to stop the avo browning)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp peppermint essence
4 tbsp maple syrup.
Blend all together in a food processer. The first time I made this I used a blender and it was still chunky. The second time I used a stick mixer which gave a much smoother mix.
Layer on top of the chocolate layer and freeze.
I have topped mine with some melted chocolate for extra goodness, but you don't have to.
Chocolate layer:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp peppermint essence
Melt all together in a medium saucepan. Pour into a tin lined with baking paper and chuck in the freezer for 5 mins. I used a small loaf tin to make this as I wanted a thicker slice, it would be too thin in a larger tin. You could always double / triple the recipe if you want to make a bigger slice.
Mint cream layer
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup coconut oil melted
1 tbsp lime juice (to stop the avo browning)
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp peppermint essence
4 tbsp maple syrup.
Blend all together in a food processer. The first time I made this I used a blender and it was still chunky. The second time I used a stick mixer which gave a much smoother mix.
Layer on top of the chocolate layer and freeze.
I have topped mine with some melted chocolate for extra goodness, but you don't have to.
My verdict: Loved it. Could eat the whole slice, but will restrain myself!!!
Adam's verdict: He took a while trying to figure out what was in it. Says "it has a taste...".
I don't think he particularly liked it, but you be the judge!
I would say happy cooking but it's not really cooking. Happy blending? Freezing? I don't know. Just go and make them and be happy :-)
Adam's verdict: He took a while trying to figure out what was in it. Says "it has a taste...".
I don't think he particularly liked it, but you be the judge!
I would say happy cooking but it's not really cooking. Happy blending? Freezing? I don't know. Just go and make them and be happy :-)