Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread

Both of my Grandma's used to make such GOOD homemade bread.  I'm pretty sure that even if I had the recipes though, they still wouldn't taste the same.  Mainly because they really didn't even use a recipe anymore.  They knew it by heart, and they also knew exactly how they wanted the dough to feel and look.  MMM how I could go for a loaf of Grandma's bread right now.  I can still taste it.

I always thought that it was such a hard task to do, but the last few months I have been committed to it!  I really started questioning what exactly was in the bread that I was buying.  Some of it would last for weeks... and still be soft and fluffy.  This doesn't even take into consideration how long it was on the shelf or in transit.  Now I do realize that the flour we buy still has some preservatives in it as well, but at this point I'm not milling my own flour :).  

This recipe only makes 1 loaf.  I usually whip up one every weekend.  It does freeze nicely too though if you want to make more.

Lets just say that I AM HOOKED.  I have found a recipe that is to die for, and it makes a super rich whole wheat bread.  I haven't been using really any other recipes since I found this one.  It does get a little crumbly after a few days... but hey that's to be expected with fresh bread.  This recipe is also made with a mixer, but you could mix and knead by hand as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup water
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
• 2 tbsp honey (I use raw honey)
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups of bread or all purpose flour

(I don't use the bread flour.  I use the complete 4.5 cups of flour with the whole wheat flour)

• 1 Cup Rolled Oats (or porridge oats)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 tbsp salt.

Directions:

1. Pour water and milk into a bowl and heat for 30-45 seconds until warm.
2. Pour into your stand mixer and add yeast & honey.
3. Let sit for 10 minutes until yeast is foamy.
4. In a separate bowl mix your flours, oats, and salt together.
5. When the yeast is ready add the flour mixture and lastly butter slowly into your mixer. (Turn on low with your dough hooks)
6. Knead on medium for 6 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and only slightly sticky.
7. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
8. Punch down & transfer to a floured surface.  Roll into a log shape, and press into a pan.  Sprinkle some oats on top.
9. Cover and let rise 30-40 minutes.
10. Bake 40-50 minutes rotating halfway through, until it sounds hollow when you tap on it.

Enjoy!  I always love having a fresh slice of bread after it comes out of the oven.  Give it a good half hour to cool down though!

Progress Journal

We have officially passed the MIDWAY mark for my very first 80 Day Obsession groups.  In fact I completed Day 43 today.  The results with this program have been immense.  The structure & design of the program has revealed some amazing results from all of the ladies crushing it alongside of me (Not saying the MEN can't do this program too, but at this point my crew is all ladies for this one).  In fact I think this program is well suited for men because it does incorporate more weights/strength aspects than some of the other programs.

First things first.  I have LEG GOALS.  This past week I had noticed that my calf muscles seemed to be finally showing up, but it wasn't until I took my updated photos today that I was super pumped about how they are toning/strengthening.  TAKE NOTE: I also have not been able to use the heavy weights for legs because of my current situation with my right thumb/tendonitis.  I have been doing the majority of the leg movements with a lighter dumbell in my left hand, centralized by my chest.  This week with physio was the first week that I got to start using some 1 and 3 pounders to start regaining strength in the tendon -- yayy for 1 pounders ;).  The good news is ANY of the resistance band moves with the legs, I have been continually upping the resistance each week.  Anyways, what I am trying to get at is: I am modifying moves BUT STILL SEEING THESE RESULTS --- Hollllllla!

Last week was a pretty low energy week for me.  Following the long weekend, it seemed to take until Friday until I felt that ENERGY to work out.  I didn't skip any last week though, even with that energy drop.  On Sunday when I did my accountability log for the week I was SUPER proud that I had been able to push through that.  I knew I had my crew of ladies to be accountable to, which helped me get moving (along with my pre-workout - Energize ;) haha).  

When I can feel an energy shift like this I do have a few tactics that have helped me in the past get back to where I want to be.  I double if not triple the amount of personal development in my days.  This can be anything from reading, motivational videos, podcasts, or training videos.  Last week I finished Mel Robbins, "The 5 Second Rule", plus a load of videos and podcasts.  I pushed PLAY on my workouts in the mornings, as I knew it would give me more energy throughout the day.  I also got a lot of sleep & focused on my nutrition.

Apple/Banana Muffins I
Made This Week.

Moving into this week I was FIRED UP.  It felt almost like starting a new workout program fired up!  My energy in the actual workouts & throughout my day felt so good!  This is the energy I seriously strive to have all the time, but I do realize that there are natural shifts over the month.  Anywho, I started a new book by Gaby Bernstein, "Judgement Detox".  So far so good!  I had a very creative week too!  Any ideas that I had, I acted on them or wrote them down.  The ideas that I did have encompassed who I am as a person & my true passions.  I have been leaving nothing "unsaid" and sharing my passions & feelings with people I love.  My new Recipe group on Facebook: Smile Strong Healthy Recipes & Meal Prep was one of my creative moments.  You definitely have to check it out and share your fave recipes!

This week I think my metabolism has kicked into high gear.  Its either that, OR my body actually KNOWS this timed nutrition thing now haha!  I have been hungry by the time I hit meal times, but satisfied after the meals.  We do re-calculate our meal plans at the end of next week, it will be interesting to see if I stay in the same bracket or not.  I actually don't even want to cheat on this meal plan.  I realize that sometimes it is bound to happen when you are away travelling and what not, but the desire just isn't there for me.  We will see how that goes once I'm laying on the beach sipping Pina Coladas though ;).  Ahhhhh it is going to be nice to have some access to FRESH sea food though!!!  New protein choices --- definitely.

Biceps always
aggressive ;)

On another note, I did have 2 more ladies start their 80 day journey's this week & one more is starting Monday.  Ahh!!!  I am SOOOO excited for them!!!!  The best part of this entire journey is sharing it with others & helping them reach their own goals = FULFILLED life I tell ya.

If you want to get started with 80 Day Obsession yourself, OR on your own health & fitness journey, I am here to help.  I am passionate about it & I will get YOU started right!

Fill Out My Application HERE

  

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Elkridge Weekend Getaway

A long weekend in Saskatchewan calls for a little adventure.

I figured I had better get this blog post up SOON, as we leave for our next travel adventure soon :)

As we were driving to Elkridge to meet up with friends (from Regina), I really didn't know what to expect.  I knew the four of us would have a blast wherever we were & I knew that we would likely be consuming a lot of liquor.  After not drinking for 5 weeks... I knew I would also be a cheap drunk haha!  80 Day Obsession has definitely kept my nutrition on track, but I had planned on this weekend being an off weekend.  BALANCE!

We had been to Elkridge a few years back in the summer for a wedding.  I had never been to our own National Park before that -- CRAZY, I know.  Seeing how absolutely breathtaking it is there is why I say that!  You see we live 20 minutes from our very own provincial park, so naturally as kids (and adults) that is where we usually end up!  Now that we have a camper we really do enjoy having the freedom to go to any lake or campground though! 

As we rolled into Elkridge Friday.. down the road to our privately rented cabin, I couldn't believe it! A stunning little cabin where we would be spending our next 3 nights.

Obviously we didn't do too much that Friday evening besides drink wine, beers, and laugh alot.  We tend to play a lot of games with our friends -- What Do You Meme & Aggravation were the two that we played most of the weekend.  What Do You Meme mainly consisted of Duff (my husband) laughing like a school girl until he cried... then us laughing at him hahah!

Saturday was a day for exploring.  We hiked through some nicely groomed trails & also made some trails of our own through the fresh powder.  We definitely eyed up the tubing hill, as we had full intentions of coming back that evening when it cleared out a bit.  Seriously though--- Tubes provided, a sweeet HILL, with a jump... Warm up shack, fire pit, & lights for night time!  I was pumped.  Needless to say we sauntered back around 10 and took over the hill --- dogs included :).  Those tubes are FAST too!  We tried countless times to hit the jump, but kept failing.  Finally I nailed it with a perfect landing.  The guys then hit it one after another too, losing mitts and completely crashing.  Fun times.  The dogs got in a good workout as they were chasing us all the way down, then climbing back up.

Day 2 started off much smoother for myself.  I could eat breaky & even drink my morning coffee ;).  We were pretty adventurous this day.  We decided after watching all of the Olympic Events that we should go cross country skiing.  It looks easy enough, right!?  Well we all sucked pretty equally in this department, but seriously so fun.  The skis were available through the front lobby in the Resort (ALSO skates & snow shoes here too).  I think next time we will utilize the nicely groomed cross country trails and I'm sure we will crush it .  The Boreal Trail was a groomed snowmobile trail...beauty of a trail, but we can see why skiers seek out those groomed cross country trails.

They do have a skating pond, mini curling sheet, and a Crokicurl rink set up.  We took on Crokicurl!  Obviously combining the two greatest games ever - Curling & Crokinal - you really can't go wrong!  The girls won a few games, and I'm sure the boys beat us at least once.  There was some nice break dancing moves throughout the games :).  We hit up the lounge for some nachos & drinks to follow.

There is seriously enough activities to keep someone entertained here for a week at least!  We didn't have time to do everything with 2 full days of activities.  There's the spa, pool, & restaurant in the actual Resort building that we didn't even have a chance to check out.

We truthfully made all of our meals in the cabin.  I packed my slow cooker along & we planned everything out ahead of time.  This weekend getaway ended up costing LESS than a weekend in the city.  In the city you have your meals and any activities that are costing you more!  We got a lot of fresh air (even though it was -30) & experienced the beauty of our own province.  Stunning countryside, trails, & area in general.



Great friends can make any weekend a fun one.  We will have to make this trek a more regular occurance for sure.  Elkridge 2019 here we come :).