Red Beet Pancakes

I have a new found obsession with beets. I planted them in my garden this year and they are amazing. Not only are they so beautiful in color, but they are also tasty to eat in so many different ways. This is one of my favorite ways to eat beets and is definitely a huge hit with the kiddos. Believe me, even your picky eater will enjoy beets prepared this way.

Red Beet Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 C white flour
3/4 C whole wheat flour
3 T brown sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 C beets, roasted & pureed
1 1/4 C milk
1/3 C greek yogurt (plain, vanilla, or honey)
1 egg
3 T butter, melted
1 t vanilla

Preparation:
1. Combine the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Combine wet ingredients into a separate bowl and whisk thoroughly.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not over stir, lumps are okay.
4. Cook pancake batter over medium/low heat on a greased griddle or pan.
5. Serve warm with syrup or desired accompaniments.

I personally like to double this recipe and store the leftovers in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Reheat the frozen pancakes in the microwave for a quick breakfast before school. Original recipe from Weelicious.

Weekly Workout: Sept. 22-29

This week Monday and Friday are A/B workouts. What is an A/B workout? Alternate the first "a" exercise with the first "b" exercise, no rest between. Then alternate the second "a" exercise with the second "b" exercise, and so forth.

Tuesday and Thursday are running days followed with 100's. Remember, 100 reps of each exercise with very little or no weight. If 100 seems too difficult, do as many as you can and try to increase each week until you are able to do 100 reps during your workout.

I like these workouts because there is no resting. Your heart rate will stay at an increased level as you transition from cardio to strength training. Any time you can keep your heart rate up is good. Good luck!

Monday
Elliptical 30 min
A/B Workout:
a. Pull ups 3x7
b. Single leg squat 3x10
a. Shoulder complex 3x8
b. Throwdown squats 3x10
a. Hip abduction 3x15
b. Hip adduction 3x15
Core and Stretch

Tuesday
Run 3 miles
100's:
- squats
- counter top push ups
- calf raises
- supermans
- crunches

Wednesday
Rest

Thursday
Run 3 miles
100's:
- lunges
- girl push ups
- calf raises
- supermans
- crunches

Friday
Elliptical 30 min
A/B Workout:
a. Hamstring curls
b. Quad extensions
a. Tricep pull downs
b. Dancer squat
a. Seated row
b. Mountain climbers
Core and stretch

Saturday
Run 5 miles
Core and stretch

Sunday
Rest

I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut...

You guys! I have been canning, and freezing, and dehydrating, and jamming like crazy around here! I can't help but feel like a little squirrel hoarding all the nuts I can find to store them for winter time.

But seriously, this time of year is so fun when it's time to harvest all the wonderful fresh goodness that comes from planting a garden in your very own backyard. It can be super busy and super messy especially when you've got little ones that you still have to take care of.

I often get so caught up in what I'm doing in my kitchen and then look up at the clock and realize I should have fed my kids lunch an hour ago! Whoops!

Anyways, I try to balance jam sessions with play sessions with my kids and I love that they are always so curious as to what I am making. They are also very helpful when it comes to harvesting anything from the garden. Those tiny hands are always so anxious to pick ripe fruit and vegetables...even if they don't care to eat it later.

We planted a lot this year. Okay here it goes...lettuce, kale, arugula, rosemary, basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, dill, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, tomatillos, hot peppers, cucumbers, watermelon, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, peas, cabbage, grapes, plums...I'm sure I forgot something.

But the real reason for this post is to share a few pics from the garden, because it's been fun and I think fresh vegetables are so beautiful. I hope you enjoy! And yes, I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes that I made which incorporated goodness from the garden.

What did you grow in your garden this year? I want to know!

Weekly Workout: Sept. 15-21

This week's workout is not complicated. Identical workouts on Monday and Friday (except the cardio portion) which includes the leg and arm circuit. Tuesday and Thursdays Run 3 miles followed by 100's. Wednesday, take a break and rest. And as always, rest on Sunday. Have a great week! Hope you enjoy your workout.

Monday
Elliptical 30 min
Leg circuit:
Quad extensions
Hamstring curls
Leg press
Arm circuit:
Lat pull down
Tricep pull down
Seated row
Core and stretch

Tuesday
Run 3 miles
100's:
Lunges
Bicep curls
Overhead tricep extension
Supermans
Crunches

Wednesday
Rest

Thursday
Run 3 miles
100's:
Squats
Countertop pushups
Front/Side shoulder raise
Supermans
Crunches

Friday
Treadmill 30 min
Leg circuit:
Quad extensions
Hamstring curls
Leg press
Arm circuit:
Lat pull down
Tricep pull down
Seated row
Core and stretch

Saturday
Stationary Bike 30 min
Core and stretch

Sunday
Rest

Weekly Workout: Sept. 8 - 14

Monday
Treadmill 30 min (incline 10, speed 4)
Arm Circuit 3x10:
- Lat pull down
- Tricep pull down
- Seated Row
Leg Circuit 3x10:
- Quad extension
- Hamstring extension
- Squat
Core and stretch

Tuesday
Run 3 miles
Core and stretch

Wednesday
Elliptical 30 min
Dead lift 3x10
Bicep curl 3x10
Pull ups 3x5
Walking lunges 3x20
Core and stretch

Thursday
Run 3 miles
Core and stretch

Friday
Do something active with friends or family

Saturday
Run 5 miles
Core and stretch

Sunday
Rest

Weekly Workout: Sept. 1 - 7

Hey! It's me. Remember me?

I used to blog and write stuff about working out, recipes, fun stuff to do with your kids, date nights, etc.? Remember?

Probably not. I don't blame ya!

Well, I'm back. So if you missed me then I missed you too and we don't need to miss each other any more.

I plan on continuing the weekly workouts here on the blog. Also, I will be posting each daily workout on IG. Follow @kandisbennion to see those posts.

My main focus for these workouts is to be quick but efficient. The kind of workout that is hard but not too hard. It gives you that added energy you need for the day. Just enough to make you feel healthy, fit, and energetic so we can focus on and do all the other things we love to do.

So if you want to be healthy and fit with me then let's work out together. Here it goes!

Monday
Elliptical 30 min

Pull ups 3x7
Single leg squat 3x10

Bicep curl to overhead press 3x15
Squats 3x10 followed by 10 jumps

Seated row 3x10
Dancer squat 3x10

Planks (front, side, side, back)
30 sec on hands, 30 sec on elbows

Tuesday
Run 3 miles
100's (very little or no weight):
Lunges
Crunches
Super man arch ups
Push ups on counter top

Wednesday
Rest or do something active with friends, family, kids

Thursday
Treadmill walk (incline: 10, speed 4) 30 min

Shoulder complex 3x8

Quad extensions 3x10
Hamstring curls 3x10

Back extension, side crunch 3x12

Friday
Run 3 miles
100's (very little or no weight):
Squats
Bicep curls
Overhead tricep extension
Crunches

Saturday
Do something active with friends or family

Sunday
Rest

Please note that the exercises that are coupled together should be done together. For example on Monday do 1 set of pull ups followed by 1 set of single leg squats (repeat 3 times). The point is not to rest. Keep your heart rate up. Remember, these are meant to be quick and efficient work outs.

If you ever have any questions about the exercises please leave a comment. I'm not always using the same technical terminology as other people. So if you are ever confused, just ask!

Have a great week!

You know you are pregnant when...

1. You laugh, cry, AND fall asleep through Descpicable Me 2 at the movie theaters.
2. You go on a date to a nice restaurant, come home to find Mac N' Cheese left on the stove from the kids dinner and take a bite.
3. You send your hubby to the store for Cheetos and chocolate.
4. You are too nauseous to go for a morning run and then too nauseous again to go for an evening run...ugh!
5. It takes you several tries to fill out a simple bank deposit slip correctly.
6. You get new contact info from a friend, type it into your phone and then when you go to look it up the next day you can't find it because you never hit the "save" button.
7. You sit down on the couch with your kids and think to yourself for a second "wouldn't it be nice to take a nap" then wake up 2 hours later because you did...just like that!
8. You open and close the fridge a dozen times and still can't think of anything that sounds good to make for dinner.
9. You go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink, leftover dinner on the stove, toys all over the house and you don't really give a damn.
10. Your hubby has banned your from putting anything on top of your car because...You drive to the water park, park your car, get the kids out and you cannot find the beach towels. You drive back home to get them because you live .2 miles away and you find them in the middle of the street. Apparently, somebody put them on top of the car then drove away. Huh?! Then later that week you are getting in the car to go to a meeting and place your notes on top of your car and drive away. Whoops!

Yes, these are all real things that have happened to me while pregnant.
Yes, I am pregnant again!