Extreme Pilates, More FREAKING Banana Cookies, + A Pinch Of Anger

I don't know what this is from, but it reminds me of my brief moment of using bands on Pilates Extreme yesterday.

For whatever reasons, I was online yesterday researching the Extreme Fix Pilates workout. Maybe it was because I usually SKIP the regular 21 Day Fix Pilates workout---maybe I was apprehensive and a tinge fearful the extreme version would be brutal. I found more than one blogger's posting about this workout online; they vented their frustrations-- mostly that using a fitness resistance band the entire workout was-- awkward. I was prepared. When I began, everything went smoothly; I had no issues with the band. Then I got to ab exercises that required lifting the legs with the band wrapped around the feet. The band I was using was not conducive to this. It slipped off my feet and snapped towards my face -- more than once. That was when I realized the exercise was just "frog crunches" from 21 day fix and I tossed the band aside. No more band the rest of the workout. It's not as if I am so advanced that I NEED to make these exercises more difficult at this point. So, once I completed the routine sans band, I actually enjoyed this workout. I'm not sure if it was because I am feeling stronger or that my expectations were so low from reading blog posts before hand that I didn't find it so bad but I like the extreme version of pilates than the regular version. I will say that I am sore in my shoulders and abs today---even my quads and glutes. And---considering MOST of the workout I did NOT use bands, I can only shudder to think the hell that I might've been feeling now if I HAD used the bands. I do plan pick up a longer workout band for the future, but right now completing this workout without them is just fine for me.

With three bananas that were overly ripe today, I whipped up another batch of Ambitious Kitchen's 2-Ingredient Banana Breakfast Cookies. I changed the recipe a bit---3 bananas instead of 2, 1 C oatmeal flour (gluten free and organic; purchased at the store), 1 C raw rolled oats, not ground. For the add ins, I used 1/2 C of mini chocolate chips. I threw in a handful of pecan pieces. For some of them I even added 1/2 C of unsweetened coconut flakes. These cookies with mini chocolate chips, pecans and unsweetened coconut flakes was my favorite. I am looking forward to trying out other ways to make this. I did like the consistency of the dough with the half oat flour/half raw oats + the additional banana. YUM! These "cheats" are awesome!

This handwritten message from Kamala Harris was in the package that contained my Kamala t-shirt. Her note of positivity and unity made my day.

And a finally, the anger part in the title of my blog. Politics, propaganda, hypocrisy, division. Sigh. In light of all things UGH about all that right now, I seriously do NOT need to turn to FOOD to deal with the increasing stress, anxiety, and fear. At Trump's recent NC rally, his supporters chanted "send her home" about Representative Ilhan Omar--a Representative of the House, voted in and sent to DC to represent her constituents--who Trump had said before needed to go back to her country (among other female, democratic, House members). This has re-solidified a line that I drew with my Trump supporting "friends" right after the 2016 presidential election results. Nope. Unfriend me. Unfollow me. I want no part. Then, as time passed on and I wanted to walk in peace and love, I allowed that line to soften and blu. This was an attempt to work with and understand my Trump supporting friends. However, the more corruption, lies, divisiveness and---now---blatant racism leading to crickets chirping where republican Senate / Trump supporter outrage SHOULD be had caused me to re-draw that thick, dark line once more. Those who support the current president without publicly admonishing his reprehensible/divisive/racist hate is no longer welcome in my life. Silence is unacceptable and makes them all complicit. My disgust with Trump, the republican senate and Trump supporters is not about policy or politics. It is not D or R. It isn't left or right. It's about morality remaining quietly in support of such a morally bankrupt "leader" . I am unapologetic in my intolerance for racism, misogyny, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia---bullying and HATE, as well as corruption and blatant dishonesty. Anyone who supports candidates who bully, spew hate and lies, are divisive -- tells me a lot about their morality. Anyone who remains silent and passive, blindly supporting hate is no friend of mine. Everyone ought to be speaking out against this, no matter party affiliation or our thoughts about immigration or abortion. It is unsettling, unnerving and embarrassing. I am angry and fearful. So---I am recommitting to my spiritual path and meditation. When it comes to politics, I stand by that line I have drawn. I also will spend most of my energy focusing on candidates whose message is positive and includes all people. I support candidates who tell the world what they are for and who spread messages of unity. I support candidates like: Marianne Williamson, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Jay Inslee, and Micheal Bennet.

United we are strong; divided we are sure to fall.

Peace and good vibes to all my most excellent peeps.

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