Good morning! 
I skipped writing this morning, but I did so for good reason: YOGA! Sweet, sweet yoga!
Yoga Challenge
This morning, I did a 20-minute Yoga for Runners session from Yogadownload.com. It was perfect for my, oh, so tight hamstrings and hips. Check out the class description:
Yoga for Runners was designed with the runner in mind, but is a flow for everyone to enjoy. This Power Yoga class helps you to enjoy life to the fullest, and will enhance your experience in any activity you choose: hiking, cycling, climbing, running, walking, or simply going about your busy day. Use this class after any athletic activity to stretch and lengthen your muscles, or any time you are looking to slow down, become focused and create space in your body and mind. Ahhh, you we feel amazing, refreshed, and renewed!
Yoga for Runners was great– my practice, however, was not so great. I’m so inflexible now-a-days! Some of the poses actually hurt! 
I really enjoyed the lower body stretching and the core work, but I found myself losing my balance and breathing weird a number of times. And, as always, my mind drifted all over the place– to breakfast, book writing, blogging, etc. It’s only my first day back on the yoga train, so I’m sure it’ll get easier the more I practice.
How are you doing with the Yoga Challenge?
Breakfast
I made Mal and me a special breakfast this morning: Pumpkin French Toast!
In my Pumpkin French Toast batter was liquid egg whites, vanilla soy milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a scoop of canned pumpkin, which mixed right in.
On the side, I had a small serving of cantaloupe.
It was so fun eating French toast during the work week! 
It’s such a weekend meal to me.
After a finished eating my Pumpkin French Toast, I decided to mix the rest of my iced coffee with a scoop of chocolate protein powder. I figured that I needed a little more protein in my breakfast.
Siggi’s Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered the Siggi’s Giveaway. Siggi’s makes some delicious-sounding yogurts, don’t they? I’m pretty much obsessed with their Orange & Ginger flavor. It’s so, so, so good!
Here are your winners: 33 488
#33 Alyssa
I’d want to try the orange ginger of course!!! It seems like such a unique flavor and like it would be a really refreshing treat!
#488 Dana
Pomegranate & passion fruit sounds really good. I’ve never tried this kind of yogurt! Hope I win!
Congrats, Alyssa and Dana! Please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com to claim your prize.
Question of the Day
If there was a magic pill that would keep you in shape, would you still exercise?
P.S. Check out my recent grocery shopping on Trading Up Downtown! 
{ 121 comments… read them below or add one }
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I love using yoga download! Yes, I would still exercise because it is a stress reducer for me too.
Have a great day!
I definitely associate french toast with the weekends. And now I am craving some! I actually don’t think I would take the pill if it were available. There are so many other benefits to exercising than just maintaining weight!
French toast does always seem like a weekend thing, but it really is quick and easy. Pumpkin french toast sounds soooo good. It has been awhile since I had that last. I can’t seem to fins pumpkin here right now. I am on the hunt though! Have a great day!
I’ve found the only way to get my mind to shut off during yoga is to take a class at a studio. Being in a calming atmosphere without the distractions of home all around me makes a HUGE difference. Not sure if that would help you with your stress or not…
I wouldn’t take the magic weight loss pill because with my luck, they’d do studies on it three years later and find that the pill made you grow a tail or turn into a mouse. Then I’d really be screwed!
yes I would stille xercise, but not as much!
going to check out yogadownload tonight!
i was just wondering if you and mal joined a new gym since he has been going to body pump with you, or does he go at healthworks?
I would definitely still exercise. It’s not just for keeping physically fit!
What type of bread did you use for the french toast? When I first read it I thought it was pumpkin bread but I think the pumpkin part came from the canned pumpkin, right?
Pumpkin in French toast sounds like a dream breakfast to me
Does the pill also give you a runner’s high, sense of accomplishment, and stress relief?!! I’d keep exercising, I like it 
I would definitely keep exericising! For the endorphins :> Plus, God gave us the ability to MOVE! To keep us healthy and happy… Love the pumpkin addition to your french toast!
I’d still exercise. I feel so much better mentally when I exercise. I love the therapeutic nature of a long walk or a great yoga session. Great question!
yeah i think i would. it feels so good after finishing a touch workout, how can you replicate that feeling?
I would definitely exercise! It gives me “me time” and makes me feel powerful and strong! It also helps me sleep at night.
I did that podcast two days ago…loved it!
I would only do FUN exercise. Walking, playing sports, hiking, etc. Probably would never get on a treadmill or elliptical machine ever again though!
Maybe I need to give yoga another shot! I’m pretty sore from running and regular stretching doesn’t always help.
I would still exercise if there were a magic pill out there but maybe not as much.
Your breakfast looks so yummy!
I’m loving my yoga so far! Like I mentioned, I’m doing 31 days of yoga and have done 4 flows (and a little 5 minute office yoga flow) in 3 days! Well, that’s only because I had time to kill this morning, knowing full well that I’d be going to a 90-minute class tonight. My body is definitely loving the stretches, though I’m like you – totally NOT flexible! LOL!
I don’t think I would give up exercise … it feels so great to be able to move my body! There could be a day when I can’t move at all, so why not enjoy it now? You never know what life will bring!
K
I, too, have been off the yoga train for some time. I need to get back into it for a variety of reasons, but namely because I find it lessens soreness from spinning and running.
Your french toast looks delicious!I love the idea of adding pumpkin to the batter.
I would definitely work out. It’s a release from my life and a time to zone out. After a workout, I have a new (and usually positive) perspective on situations that are bothering me at the time.
Hey there! I’m obsessed with Yoga. I started doing it 5 days a week about 3 months ago and it’s changed my life. I had a few ‘issues’ and doing yoga has really helped me with them! The breathing and mind/body connection is just so amazing. Days when I don’t do Yoga I miss it so much!!
xo
Jocelyn
I would exercise but probably only 2-3 times a week
It’s a great stress reliever! But I’d love to have the time for something else!
you know, i used to think that i could do that, but knowing what i know now i would DEFINITELY exercise…there’s no way you can get the great after-workout-feeling from a pill!
I wouldn’t exercise. Not in a “go-to-the-gym” kind of way. I love being outdoors, walking, playing sports, etc. I’d definitely still do that. But I hate the time that the gym takes, the effort it takes to shower, do my hair, re-do makeup, cover up the fact that I’m beet red, and the rest of what goes w/ the gym.
I think I would. I love the feeling of endorphins that I get from working out. When I take time off I miss that feeling a lot! I probabaly wouldn’t work out as often however
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I need to do that yoga. My hamstrings and calves get so tight. I’m getting much more flexible the more I stretch them but goodness are they tight still. I’d definitely still work out even taking that pill. The main reason I exercise is to strengthen my knees and recover from two knee injuries. Now if taking a pill would automatically heal my knees? I’d be in heaven and I’d work out for prevention’s sake.
French toast is super fun to have during the workweek! Yes, I’d still exercise. It keeps me in shape but it’s my way to de-stress. It helps keep me sane
That french toast looks sooo delicious! I was thinking of making french toast for dinner tomorrow night with some cinnamon chip bread I got last weekend at Great Harvest and I think that sounds like a perfect way to do it!
I would still exercise even with a magic pill because I like the challenge and strength I feel after
If there was a magic pill, I think I would continue goin for hikes, walking and riding my bike around San Francisco. But I don’t think I’d still be doing Jillian Michael’s DVDs, ha ha.
Working out is stress relief for me, so I probably would anyways. When ever I’m frustrated a good treadmill pound always does me some good!
I’d have to or my fiance, friends and family would all ditch me! Running is great for keeping in shape but lots of miles also work wonders for keeping neurotic people like me calm and happy.
I’m with you – French Toast is definitely a weekend splurge meal! This sounds pretty healthy and easy though. I may give it a try sometime.
If there was a magic pill, I would still workout. It just makes me feel good and is a great way to start my day.
I would still workout for sure, it keeps me balanced mentally, not just physically!
It depends on what this pill could do. If I took it and still felt that “rush” I do after exercise and it still benefited my heart, then sure. I would DEFINITELY prefer to sleep in and pop a pill. I agree that exercise is great stress relief, but bubble baths and a good book are also underutilized tools! Those are the things in life I cut out to fit everything else in. Know what I’m sayin’?
I really think I need to try yoga for runners. I think I would still work out, I really enjoy the runners high.
I would definitely still exercise! even when I was trying to gain weight I exercised in some form daily because of long term benefits and as a stress reliever. I just could never give up long walks on the beach, hikes, or a hardcore sweaty run. That french toast sounds fantastic! Have a great day
Yum! The pumpkin French toast looks delicious!
I’m going taking a 90min hot yoga class tonight. It’s my first practice this week. I’ll have to look into that Yoga Download. Sounds like something I could use after a hard workout at the gym.
I probably wouldn’t exercise as much as I do now but I still would take Zumba and walk/run.
I’d still be out walking and biking—it’s stress relief, a fun way to spend time with friends and family and it helps reduce my carbon footprint.
I would absolutely still exercise but their wouldn’t be as much pressure. I can’t imagine not sweating and working out or even RUNNING three times a week! It keeps my sanity in check and helps me feel great, whether I see pounds come off or not!
Even if there was a magic pill I would still exercise. It’s something that’s crucial for your overall health, not just your body shape and image. It helps your mind, body AND soul!
Exercise IS that magic pill! And it does so much more. It makes you feel good
I agree with Food Makes Fun Fuel completely – exercise is that magic pill. It’s hard to remember that at 5am when I get up to go to the gym – but it is so true:)
Unless that magic pill would reduce stress then maybe… but no, I generally have a fun time exercising
I still haven’t done yoga yet but this is a strong reminder!! That site looks great! Mmmmm french toast + pumpkin = one of the best combos i’ve ever heard of. Must try!
I would still exercise, I need exercise for my mental health too!!
I can’t even remember the last time I had french toast – it’s never appealed to me much, too eggy! But I think the egg white + pumpkin combo would taste so much more delicious
Absolutely! But I would be training for something bigger than just staying in shape (like a sport or competition), like I usually am. Rugby is a rough sport
I would still run because I love it, but would skip strength training (and probably wouldn’t eat as well!)
Sometimes, the only time I can steal for myself is the time I spend running/lifting/yoga-ing.
Taking a pill would mean giving up some legitimately selfish “me” time!! That’s a no-go, sister!
YES! I would still run even if I had a magic pill that would keep me fit. I love running so much that I always say that if running never burned a single calorie I would still do it everyday!
Interesting question though.
I would still be active (walking, running, hiking) but I wouldn’t be as regimented.
I would just go with my heart when I felt like exercising, instead of forcing myself sometimes
Have a wonderful day!
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