Holy Moly Monday
Monday has turned into quite the busy day! Holy moly! 
I feel like I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off all day long! Woah.
Anyway, let’s get to it!
Snack
Mid-morning, I did a little baking in preparation for my afternoon trip to the gym. I eat breakfast so early in the morning that by the time Body Pump rolls around at noon, I’m starving! I decided to deal with this by baking some Homemade (Re)Fuel Bars to snack on before my workout.
Homemade (Re)Fuel Bars
Makes 5 bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup protein powder (I used Vega Smoothie Infusion)
- 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup raisins
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350*F
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well
- Spray an 8 X 4 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray
- Spread batter into pan evenly and use a spatula to flatten
- Bake for 12-15 minutes
- Allow to cool before cutting
The bars turned out pretty good! They have lots of healthy carbs and protein and they’re not super sweet. They definitely make a great pre- or post-workout snack.
And, they’re travel-friendly! 
Of course, I needed to taste-test the bars, so I threw one into my gym bag and snacked on it while riding the bus on my way to the gym.
After packing up my gym gear, I headed downtown to run some errands. It was cold, rainy, blustery morning in Boston– it would have been the perfect day to sit on the couch and watch a movie.
My morning errands included a trip to the bank, CVS, and hunting down a French baguette for dinner tonight– and I knew just the place to find it: Deluca’s Market on Newbury Street.
Duluca’s is the most adorable little market with a wonderful selection of quality groceries, fresh produce, prepared foods, cheese, beer, and wine. They pretty much have everything I’d ever need! 
I purchased a French baguette at Deluca’s and then walked over to Healthworks for a workout. I probably looked wicked cool walking around the gym with a baguette sticking out of my bag.
Workout
At Healthworks, I did 45 minutes on the elliptical followed by a Body Pump class. Both were excellent.
So, I was thinking about why I love Body Pump so much. Actually, there a lot of reasons: it’s a challenging workout, it makes you feel powerful and strong, the music pumps you up, and your body gets ripped. All great reasons, right?
Another reason why I enjoy Body Pump is because it’s fast and dirty. You work really hard, push yourself, sweat buckets, and before you know it, the class is over. And, you feel awesome afterwards! 
A typical Body Pump class is organized into 8 different tracks– one for each of your major muscle groups. (There’s also an opening warm-up track and closing cooldown track.) The focus of the class is muscle endurance, so you do lots repetitions for 4 – 6 minutes during each track. I love this workout format because it breaks the class into 8 smaller chunks, which shifts my attention to just one part of my body at a time. I’m able to focus my attention on proper form and push myself until the end of the track. It’s so much easier think about maintaining my level of effort for 4-6 minutes than it is for a full 55-minute class. Basically, I “dig my heals in” and focus on getting to the end of each track and use every ounce of effort I have.
Ok, I think I’m officially addicted to Body Pump again!
Lunch
When I got home from the gym, I was star-ving, so I immediately dug into one of my Homemade (Re)Fuel Bars. It held off my hunger until I had time to make lunch for myself.
Today’s lunch consisted of leftover chili (surprise!) and Triscuits.
Lunch also included grape tomatoes, celery, and carrots sticks with a yummy blue cheese dip on the side.
The nice people from Bear Pond Farm sent me a whole bunch of their all-nature, gluten-free dips to try. My favorite so far is the Blue Cheese Skinny Dip. It’s great with raw veggies and on buffalo grilled cheese sandwiches!
For dessert, I enjoyed two squares of dark chocolate with a mug of Matévana + Rooibos Chai from Teavana.
We’re having friends over for dinner, so I need to clean our apartment and start prepping.
Back to my BUSY Monday!
Tags: Bear Pond Farm, Blue Cheese Skinny Dip, Body Pump, Deluca's Market, Healthworks, Homemade (Re)Fuel Bars, Matévana + Rooibos Chai, Newbury Street, Teavana
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday — January 25, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Do you have Body Combat classes at your gym too? I think they are a FANTASTIC workout. Your shoulders, abs, and obliques are sore for days after Body Combat (at least mine are).
I was inspired by your lose the dough to fulfill a goal in my life: to wear a bikini! I’m going to do it in time for my own milestone birthday (the big 2-5)
Check out my progress on http://www.gamereviewwiki.com/BikiniBirthday
Heather @ (The Single Dish) — January 25, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
Body Pump sounds great, I go to Total Body Conditioning at NYSC and it sounds like a similar class. I am totally exhausted afterwards but it is the BEST workout. Love the homemade bars!
jenna — January 25, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
what a fun productive day! that blue cheese dip looks fabulous!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) — January 25, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Body Pump sounds awesome — wish my gym offered it!
Have a great night — are you making something special for dinner?!
emily — January 25, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Those bars look like such a good idea, I need to get on the protein powder train!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner — January 25, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Sounds like a busy day! I love body pump too, I was addicted to it when I lived in London but they don’t have it at the BSC I go to
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com — January 25, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
What a lovely looking lunch! And those bars look great too – I just need to find me some protein powder…!
Anything that gets my heart pumping is a winner!!
I really like BodyPump classes too, and Step Aerobics
katherine — January 25, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Sounds like a great day and good thing you had the bars since that’s a pretty crazy workout day!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — January 25, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Yum! Those bars look like the perfect transportable pre-workout snack!!
Jessica @ How Sweet — January 25, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
I’m with you – the change of routine and music is why I love teaching Les Mills so much. I used to get bored teaching, and now by the time I get bored, it’s time for a new release!
Caroline — January 25, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
Hi! I hope you don’t mind me asking but where did you get your gym bag?
Heather (Where's the Beach) — January 25, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
Glad you’re enjoying your workout!
Nicole (dishin') — January 25, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
The baguette hanging out of your gym bag made me laugh (and it’s so something I would do) and I would love to get my hands on some dark chocolate right now!
Samantha — January 25, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
Sounds like you are having a busy day! I am jealous you get to do long workouts during the day! Hope you have a wonderful night!!
Wendy (Give Love Create Happiness) — January 25, 2010 @ 4:51 pm
Your bars look fabulous! Have a great dinner with your friends!
Kristen @ Change of Pace — January 25, 2010 @ 4:51 pm
Looks like you are having a wonderful day! Will definitely have to try those bars!
Tina — January 25, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
@Caroline: Oh, jeez. It’s a good 10 years old. I think EMS?
Allison (Eat Clean Live Green) — January 25, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
I love Body Pump too. Such an awesome workout!
Maria — January 25, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
I went to Pump this morning! LOVE IT! Great post about it. It is my FAVORITE workout ever! I love the instructors, music, the workout, how I feel after, and the next day! SO FUN!
Caroline — January 25, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
@Tina: Thanks so much!
Haleigh — January 25, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
You always come up with the tastiest, healthy baking creations! I will be making these soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad — January 25, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
Tina, if you love Body Pump, you have to try Body Attack! If they offer it at your gym, you must go!!
Layla — January 25, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
I love your backpack- great colors! Where’s it from?
Pippa — January 25, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
Those bars look so good! And I love Deluca’s–it’s so fun to read your blog as a fellow Bostonian
Karla — January 25, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
I wish I had a baguette sticking out of my backpack! Can’t wait to see what you’ll do with it!
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — January 25, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
I love how Murphy’s head is poking into the picture of your gym bag + re-fuel bar!
Tina — January 25, 2010 @ 5:08 pm
Sounds like an awesome day, despite the rain, of course! I think once I get some brown sugar again I am going to have to make those bars.
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie ) — January 25, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
So jealous of HealthWorks!! I really wish we had a gym like that here in Orlando. It just makes me want to move to Boston!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — January 25, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
I love quick and sweaty workouts. That’s why I like your hills workout for the treadmill.
Chelsea — January 25, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
I was just talking to my podmate about making bars just like that. They look great.
I love that you went to the gym with a baguette sticking out of your bag
Body Pump is a truly phenomenal class. I know I’ve already said it but I’m jealous of your gym time. I get 45 minutes at the gym
Such is life as a full time working mommy 
Janet — January 25, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
Ooh, I went to that market (a different location, I think) when I was there – cute! I have been dying to try Body Pump. My gym doesn’t have that specific class but I think I’m going to take it at my friend’s gym with her.
Sagan — January 25, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
Those bars look fantastic- thanks so much for sharing the recipe with us! I bet they’d taste good with honey instead of the brown sugar, too.
Runeatrepeat — January 25, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
I love that this recipe only makes 5 bars
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — January 25, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
Sounds like a great, longgg workout. Can’t wait to see what’s on the menu for dinner =)
Heather (Heather's Dish) — January 25, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
that chocolate looks completely amazing right now! if i could find/afford a body pump class, I’d totally hit that up! sounds like you found the right workout girl
Sophie @ yumventures — January 25, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
The blue cheese dip looks awesome! Do you know where they sell it?
Leo @ cupcakes in Paris — January 25, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
Refuel bars look real good, Tina. Thanks for the recipe!
Claire — January 25, 2010 @ 5:45 pm
I did a Pump class at my gym all throughout college and I was so toned. Then came medical school and I didn’t have time to travel the 20 minutes twice a week for it (the gym near me does not offer the class). Unfortunately, the means I’m not quite as toned as I was before. Trying to get motivated to do it on my own but it’s so hard…and I don’t last nearly as long as I did in class!
Kerry @ Running on Faith — January 25, 2010 @ 6:02 pm
That description of your Body Pump class gave me some inspiration to make an at home version!! During each track, do you switch up the moves for that part of your body or stick to one move doing it many times?
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) — January 25, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
Wow, Body Pump sounds awesome! I love when you can FEEL the incredible workout you’re getting.
Jamie — January 25, 2010 @ 6:08 pm
The bear pond farm products look awesome! I already am looking through my cabinet to make sure I have all the ingredients for your oaty bars! Thanks for all the great cooking and healthy eating ideas
PS. I wish my gym had a body pump-type class! We have typical yoga, pilates, step, and spinning… maybe I can fill the comment box haha
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) — January 25, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
There is nothing cooler than walking around with a baguette hanging out of your bag! Leftover chili for lunch is always a good thing…especially after a hardcore workout! Glad you had a good productive day!
Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me. — January 25, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
That dip looks yummy! I like bleu cheese alot!
K — January 25, 2010 @ 6:46 pm
I love the snack plate for lunch – that dip sounds really tasty. Body Pump sounds intense!! Breaking it up though would make it seem so much quicker! Those bars sound fantastic as well. Hope your Monday wasn’t TOO crazy
Danielle (Coffee Run) — January 25, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
I’ve never been to a body pump class but I really like the sound of it!
Good job on the protein bars, they look really good
Ally @ Sweet & Savory — January 25, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
That Blue Cheese Skinny Dip looks to die for! I wonder where you can get that????
Kitchen Monki Dan — January 25, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
always looking for snacks to make and pack for the working mom. the bars look fantastic and I like the fact that they are full of protein. Actually you whole day’s meal plan is great and nutritious… thanks for the ideas!
Jenna — January 25, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
Buffalo grilled cheese?! Yumm!
kelly — January 25, 2010 @ 7:50 pm
can you leave out the protein powder?
Jenn (j3nn.net) — January 25, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
LOL @ the baguette in your bag, that’s so awesome!
I need to try making my own granola/energy bars, the pre-made ones are getting scarier and scarier, and expensive!
Jenn
Jessica @ The Process of Healing — January 25, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
Yummy lunch! And the baguette in your bag… priceless!!
They have a class very similar to Body Pump at my gym and I can’t wait to try it out after I recover from my injury and can exercise again!
Naomi — January 25, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
LOVE delucas on Newbury! what a fun store! have you ever been to steves? the greek restaurant on newbury as well? so good!!!
Bryan — January 25, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
So delicious and looks healthy too! I guess i will make one for myself too since I will be heading to the gym later. Thanks for the post!
Megan — January 25, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
I totally agree about those type of classes. They make working out way more fun and it is done before you know it.
Katharine — January 25, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
I, too, am obsessed with Body Pump and you explained why perfectly! I actually look forward to it!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — January 25, 2010 @ 9:28 pm
i love a giant loaf of french bread sticking out of a bag.
amanda — January 25, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Hmmm those bars look great. You should have a giveaway….hint hint
Run Sarah — January 25, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Those bars look great! I am curious about Body Pump, I love quick moving workouts.
Kathleen — January 25, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
I love the idea of you walking through the gym with a baguette sticking out…I would do it
Jenny — January 25, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
You are always so busy–but you have great ideas for staying organized and prepared while on the go! It’s one of my favorite things about your blog
haha that baguette sticking out of the gym bag is pretty humorous!
And I totally agree about Body Pump! Another reason I love it is because it’s where I learn lots of new strength moves and better form!
Heather — January 25, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
Body Pump sounds like such a great class!
Love the gym bag with your baguette hanging out – so cute.
Hope you enjoy your dinner tonight – you always seem so busy during the day!
alison — January 25, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
I totally agree with you about Body Pump. I’m so happy that I stumbled upon a gym that offers all of Les Mills’ classes. Pump is an awesome workout and it time really does fly by. Actually, once the squat track is over, it’s all down hill for me! I’m glad it’s first up after the warm up. Good to get the pain over with right away. This morning, before Pump, I tried one of the 30 minute treadmill workouts you posted the other day. It was a really awesome workout, and it went pretty fast because the speed was always being switched. Thanks for posting it!
Rachel — January 25, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
Love the idea for the pre-gym bars. I think I’ll make those this weekend. Thanks for the recipe!
Janice @ O.S.M.B. — January 25, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
Okay so it just so happens I did my first BodyPump class tonight and have mixed feelings. Maybe you can win me over.
I didn’t sweat at all, and struggled to figure out the right weights for each workout. Some I felt like I wasn’t working hard at all, and then when it came to biceps I clearly had way too much weight. Her instructions on how much to add/take off were minimal.
Any suggestions on how to get more out of it???
Tina — January 25, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
@Janice @ O.S.M.B.: Add more weight!!! I’ll post what I use for weight after my BP class on Thursday to give you an idea.
Kate K — January 25, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Those re-fuel bars look so good! Do you know about how many calories they each are?
Rose — January 25, 2010 @ 11:47 pm
Tina, I have to say it. And I’m sure you’ve heard it before. But I honestly have no idea how you live your life. I am completely AMAZED at all you pack into a morning and afternoon. You are such an inspiration to me.
diana(mymarblerye) — January 26, 2010 @ 12:37 am
OOOHHH I happen to have all the ingredients for those bars!
Amy — January 26, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
I am a Body Pump addict as well!!! I go twice a week and it is by far the BEST work out I have ever done. I love it!!!!
Jul — February 1, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
These look fantastic! I love simple, wholesome recipes. But do you have any suggestions for protein powder substitutes? Any chance there’s an easy, basic ingredient that’s likely to be in the average kitchen cabinet?
Sophie @ yumventures — February 4, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Your refuel bars look great, I’ve seen a bunch of these recently around the blog world. I actually tried to make them but they didn’t come out right — do you add water to your mixture, or is it just the eggs? Also, do you use regular oats? Thanks!
Tina — February 4, 2010 @ 10:24 am
@Sophie @ yumventures: Just egg whites.
elle — February 18, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
Do you know how many calories are in your fuel bars? I’m guessing less than 200??
Thanks!!
Lea — July 16, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
I will try making these bars soon, but I might sub the brown sugar with brown rice syrup or almond butter
I’m from California but I’ve visited Boston twice. I like the city and I’ve actually been to the market you went to.