Meal + workout plan for the week of 2/21

Because why start a week on Sunday or Monday… when you can start it on Tuesday? I’m including my workout plan along with this week’s meal plan to make up for my lateness.  Or whatever.

Temps are supposed to reach 50 degrees in the city today and 70 this weekend.  It’s February, mind you (but don’t worry, guys, global warming is totally a sham…).  I’ve got the back door open, and a nice, big, summery salad on the table.  Is it me, or is it easier to eat well (and like, be a better human in general) when the weather’s nice?

Meal plan for the week of 2/20… or 2/21

Breakfasts:

• Savory overnight oats (here are a few ideas from The Kitchn) – I’m thinking pesto and shaved parmesan with black pepper
• Cottage cheese + fruit
• Cheerios or crispy brown rice cereal + milk (because I am nearly 35, going on 4) 

Lunches:

• Salads, wraps, leftovers

Dinners:

• Gnocchi with homemade sauce (tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil + spinach)
• Beans + rice with veggies; quesadillas (corn tortillas)
• Baked sweet potatoes with black beans + salsa
• Flatbreads + salad
• Slow cooker vegan lentil chili from The Kitchn
• Grilled cheese + tomato soup

You can find more meal ideas (and basically see what I am craving at 3 AM while feeding baby Nick…) on this Pinterest board.

As for workouts, I decided to try something new last week (or maybe it was the week before?) after my plans had been derailed by a broken washing machine, a carsick toddler, two snowstorms and a visit from the washing machine repair person.  I think I may have only made it to Mama Beasts class twice (pssst: new session starts on 2/27, Boston area moms…) in the span of two weeks.  It was 2.5 times if you count making it half way there before the aforementioned bout of carsickness… A for effort, C- for basically everything else.  The sidewalks were too icy for a run/stroll, and I was feeling both cooped up and cranky, so I knew I needed a backup plan for days and weeks like this.

I’d heard great things about Daily Burn (referral link) and decided to sign up for their free 30 day trial after seeing their Instagram ad for the 8 millionth time.  I was completely hooked after my first workout.  The programming is great (they recommend a program for you, but you can jump around and try various workouts with different trainers) and totally do-able in a small condo with small children crawling, running, and jumping across your mat.  I’m following the Cardio Sculpt program which is a great mix of cardio, strength and flexibility/mobility.  

I went full-on nerd and printed out a blank calendar to schedule in my workouts for the next month or so, and think Daily Burn will be a great compliment to both Mama Beast classes and my running plans (I registered for a few upcoming races and listed them on the Fitness On Tap tab).  I’ve also pinned a bunch of free, at home workouts as further backup — feel free to check those out.

Workouts for the week of 2/20

• Monday: Mama Beasts + Cardio Sculpt
• Tuesday: Rest 
• Wednesday: Mama Beasts + Kickin’ It (totally channel my inner Billy Blanks for this one)
• Thursday: BHT
• Friday: Mama Beasts +/or Cardio Sculpt
• Saturday: Run 3 miles + Supreme Stretch
• Sunday: Kickin’ It

What feels better than having a plan (and maybe a sheet of gold stickers) at the ready? A 70 degree day in February?

Also On Tap for Today:

• Fascinating: Hunched over a microscope, he sketched the secrets of the brain from The NYT
• Great resource for packing school lunches: School Lunch Round-up from 100 Days of Real Food
• On a hunt for the first spring blooms (is it too soon?)

What are your favorite at home workouts? Or summery meals appropriate for eating in winter?