We are officially a week away from Christmas! I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t seem like next week is Christmas already. The fact that it seems too soon for Christmas, I have been putting off planning for the weekend. We have four Christmas celebrations to go to in four days. I haven’t wrapped a single present (am I even done Christmas shopping?), I have no idea what food I am going to make for each gathering, nor do I know where we need to be and when. I am currently winning at life.
But, I have thought about getting in my workouts over the weekend! We will be traveling for the holidays, so we won’t have access to our gym. We are headed to a very small town with limited gym options, but I am still making a plan to get in a few workouts. I am planning on getting my husband and I a day pass at a local gym and if that doesn’t work, I plan to get in a couple of my at home workouts.
Many times it is easy to put off our goals or fitness routine when traveling or around holidays because there is already so much going on. Travel and holidays can also be a time of high stress for a lot people, though, and a workout might be the ticket to a stress free and more enjoyable time. The main reason I like to get in workouts over holidays is because it is a stress relief, gives me endorphins and allows for “me time.” I love my family to death, but there is such a thing as family overload. With four Christmas’ in four days, it is bound to happen. So, I schedule myself a little me time so when I am spending time with my family I can be fully present and truly enjoy everyone’s company.
I might not have all my presents wrapped, meals planned or know exactly where we need to be and when, but I do have a plan to get in a few workouts. Not only will this be beneficial to me, it will be beneficial to everyone around me! If you find yourself stressed with traveling or the holidays, I encourage you to schedule yourself some “me time.” It doesn’t have to be working out, as long as it is something that you enjoy and will make you happy. Take care of yourself this holiday season so you can give your best self to your family and friends and have a great Christmas!
One way to bring yourself some extra joy this weekend is with this Pomegranate Banana Bread. After tasting it I immediately wrapped in up and put it in the freezer because I could (and probably would have) have eaten the entire loaf. Pomegranate seeds is a super food and a winter fruit which makes them in season. This would be great to have sitting on the table with morning coffee and for a treat after your meal.
- 2 cups cassava flour
- 3 bananas, mashed
- 1 egg
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
- ⅓ cup coconut milk or nut milk of choice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1-2 tbsp organic powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a loaf pan, set aside.
- Add the bananas, egg, honey, coconut oil, coconut milk and vanilla extract to a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix until smooth.
- Add the cassava flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sea salt to the same large bowl and mix again until smooth. Fold in the pomegranate seeds.
- Transfer the dough to the greased bread pan and spread evenly. Bake for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Let cool for 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!