Tabata Randomness

I'm an early riser. mrC is not. It's always worked out perfectly that while he sleeps, I get in some at-home workouts. For some reason, all the workouts I chose to do this morning were Tabata style.

I started with an oldie, but a goodie from Run to the Finish: 4 Minute Ninja Abs. This is one of my go-tos when I need a good ab session. (side note: the tag on my tank drove me crazy!)

I saw this one posted by Amanda Miller on Facebook: Goodbye Inner Thigh. This was my first time trying this one and I really liked it. If you don't already follow Amanda, you should because she shares great stuff.

All of my Tabata workouts are made easy with the use of my Gymboss Timer.  I love this thing. 

mrC and I made a pledge to take a walk every morning. After my indoor workouts, the cool air felt good as we strolled through our little garden courtyard. You can totally tell I'm a westerner by the to-go coffee I'm carrying. 

We investigated the deserted play/exercise area (which by-the-way is never empty) and found this awesome leg press.  Next time we walk I'm bringing a towel to wipe off the seat, so I can use it.

When we got back, mrC went to work and I dove into Yoga Camp. Somehow nearly two weeks have gone by since my last video class :( It felt good to follow Adriene through some flow today. 

I always take video of my yoga workout. First for the pics (this is a blog after all!) and second for the chance to assess my progress (I don't have a mirror). Like today, I can see that my "flat back" is not actually flat. This gives me something to think about and work on the next time. 

My brunch was inspired by this photo posted on Instagram. It's been weeks since I made a smoothie (the cold weather might have swayed that), but my new trend is healthy eating, so...

The rest of the day turned rainy, so it was a perfect time to hit up a local driver to take us to Metro (the European box store). They don't carry a huge amount of western products, but they usually have big bags of pre-washed salad and Tyson chicken breasts. Not today. 

I did find this great set of storage containers. Anyone who has ever lived in a high rise apartment in the city understands how easy it is to get bugs. We do whatever we can to prevent that.

TGIF fitness friends!

Banana Peanut Butter Protein Bars

I'm not a fan of bananas. True story: a friend once chased me around the dorm lounge trying to make me touch the mushy fruit inside. Totally freaked me out.

Now that I'm miles away from that silly college girl, I love to use them in my homemade protein bars.

Making the protein bars was an excellent follow up to a morning climb up Nanshan mountain. It's been cold and cloudy in Shenzhen since I got back from the Maldives (yes, I love saying that!), but we made it to the top without getting rained on.

Banana Peanut Butter Protein Bars are one of my favorite homemade snacks. I haven't been making the best food choices lately, so I checked the ingredients for my recipe and figured I could still make them here in China. And they're still gluten free.

Here's my recipe:

2 cups quick cooking gluten free oats

1 cup protein powder (I use vanilla)

1/4 cup organic buckwheat flour

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 cup nut butter (I use almond butter)

1/4 cup honey

2 mashed ripe bananas 

1 tbsp cinnamon

Mix together. Spread about 1/2" inch thick onto cookie sheet lined with cooking-sprayed wax paper. 

Bake 350 degrees 15 min. 

Remove from wax paper. Let cool and cut.

I always have a couple right away. 

After the hike, I met mrC at the salon. He got a haircut and I got my nails done. They were seriously overdue. 

On our walk back to the apartment, I saw this scooter and now I think I want one. Except it would put a dent in my Fitbit stats. 

We didn't do the souvenir thing on our trip. We bought some incidentals: post cards, a disposable underwater camera, sunscreen. It was enough to earn a free gift and tonight we put it to use while making dinner. I love it!

Do you make your own snacks?
Souvenirs or no souvenirs when you travel?

The Great Birthday Escape: Bandos Island, Maldives

When mrC gets a good layover, we've learned to take advantage of it. This trip was perfectly timed too. It was my birthday, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year (a great time to escape the never-ending fireworks). 

Bandos Island Resort is beautiful. White sand. Tropical flowers. Pink sunsets. Blue waters. Paradise.

The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean and spread across the equator, is made up of 1190 atolls (an atoll is basically a clump of islands). About 200 atolls are inhabited and half of those are resorts. At The Bandos Island Resort we were among approximately 450 guests. Transport to the island is by boat only from the airport (which is its own island) and takes about 15 minutes. 

Right away it was obvious that people come to the island to unwind. It's not like other destinations where you fill your days sight-seeing (although you can by signing up for the island hopping excursion). The island itself is only a half mile loop to walk around. Even though it was small in comparison to other places we've been recently, there was plenty to do and all of it was relaxing. 

My body's disregard for local time made it easy to catch the sunrise and it was worth it. 

The resort usually offered morning yoga, but since the yogi was off the island I did my own yoga on the beach.

Two laps around the island was a mile and running was a popular activity for many. mrC and I squeezed in one short run while we were there.

Snorkeling was the main attraction. Boats filled with people came from surrounding islands to explore the coral reef. We spent every morning after breakfast in the water and a couple of afternoons too.

The crystal clear water was filled with an abundance of colorful and friendly sea life. The most exciting was to see the Black Tip Reef Shark. We used a disposable underwater camera to take pictures (which may be awhile to develop here in China), but mrC's co-pilot caught this picture with his Go-Pro and shared it with us. We saw these sharks several times while snorkeling and one swam  right by us when we were sitting in the lagoon!

When we weren't at the beach snorkeling, we enjoyed the beauty of the island on several walks.

Every time we went for a walk we discovered something new: the Valentine tree, crushed glass mulch, an island nursery. 

When we tired from walking and playing in the golden sunshine, we relished the ocean breeze and crashing waves from any of a dozen cozy resting spots.

Breathtaking sunsets were the appetizer or the dessert depending on when we made it to dinner. Either way, the pinks and oranges did not disappoint.

In addition to the main Gallery Restaurant, where pre-paid buffet style meals were served (and where we had breakfast each day), guests could also choose from three dining experiences.

Huvan Restaurant located on the west side of island (and most frequented by us) gave diners the choice between land or deck seating. We only ate on land once, opting instead to enjoy being surrounded by layers of blue water and cooled by the constant breeze.

We had lunch at the Sea Breeze, located on the east side of the island. The food and views were very nice, but this part of island, ironically, seemed void of breezes. We wanted to spend more time on the loungers watching the boats come and go, but it was just too warm.

No need to worry about the lack of air since it was only evening dining at Koon Thai Restaurant. Also located on the east side of island and next door to Sea Breeze, it was a great spot for dinner.

The resort offered specific excursions each day of the week and we signed up for the Sunset Dolphin Cruise. The two hour boat ride had us chasing dolphins while flying fish chased us! It was exciting to see the dolphins jumping and swimming.

The island offered a wide range of accommodations, from classic rooms in the center of the island to elite water villas floating over the sea. We were quite happy with the beachfront standard room located on the northwest side of the island and a mere 20 steps from the water.

Other amenities on the island (not used by us) include: Paradise Club (fitness center), Orchid Spa, Water Sports Center (we almost rented SUP boards), Diving Center, Medical Center, and Swimming Pool.

Bandos Island Resort was magical. Most trips that we take have me planning and plotting where we will go and what we will see each day to make the most of our time. This place was different. It was as if the urge to rush about from habit was diminished by the tranquil setting. I've never been anywhere like this before and feel very lucky to have been able to join mrC on his layover.



Have you been to the Maldives or some place like it?

Monday Movers & Shakers {not really}

After the fireworks party (aka Lunar New Year's Eve) that literally went on all night long, we were slow movers today, but we did move.

To save time running errands, mrC and I hopped on the bikes and rode off to pay the rent and buy me a ferry ticket to the airport for Wednesday. I have a serious adventure coming up! Stay tuned!

After lunch we headed back out for a walk to the park. I took mrC on the same loop around the lake that I did the other day. It feels good to stick to my goal of taking more walks. The park was much more crowded with people enjoying their holiday off work and the views were as stunning as always. I love how you can see Nanshan Mountain in the distance. Yep, I climb that!

Our evening with friends was a blast and we even shook things up a little with some fireworks in their garden. Fireworks are a big part of the Chinese New Year celebration. I learned this from a friend: "The practice of setting off fireworks comes from an ancient myth about a monster named Nian, the same word for year. He came once a year and attacked and killed villagers and their livestock as the New Lunar year arrived. An old man supposedly figured out that Nian was afraid of loud noises, lights and the color red. So, each year, houses are decorated with red, and fireworks are set off to scare away the evil spirits." From what I heard last night, I think they were successful at scaring Nian away.

How are you moving and shaking things up today?

Yoga Sunday on Lunar New Year's Eve

Happy Lunar New Year! (aka Chinese New Year but celebrated all over Asia)

Today I spent the day unexpectedly entertaining myself after mrC was called into work to start the plane and came back 7 hours later! A lot of things happen quickly in China (plumbing repairs, water delivery), but sometimes airplane parts get hung up in customs.

Sunday has become my rest day. I try to give my 45 (almost) year old body a break. Something I am just accepting and learning to do.

Today it was Yoga Sunday!

I have to admit that I feel pretty darn good after a session of yoga.

Tonight we are off to celebrate the Lunar New Year with friends. I expect to see lots of decorations and even more fireworks.

I know my US friends will be spending Sunday watching the Super Bowl. That's our plan for Monday morning!