Marshmallows roasting on an open fire!
Before we get to that excitement, I’d like to take a moment and say that I have been going to Body Pump nearly twice a week for an entire year!
I went to my first class on October 15
And my second on November 30
I now LOVE the class and hate to miss a Monday or Friday!
Some reflections:
- My weight has gone up by 50%-100% on different muscles in a year
- I used to wimp out on biceps and abs, but now I can finish the songs almost every time
- Squats are my least favorite track.
- Triceps are my favorite track, followed by shoulders.
- I prefer 10 pound free weights to a bar on my back during lunges.
- Chris makes class very fun
I also hate him. - I am happiest after back is over. Don’t really care for that muscle either.
- A towel wrapped around the bar makes it more comfortable during squats.
- I really like pop songs. I do not like the Jackson 5.
- The chest track is pretty fun.
- I can do 26 push-ups no problem. Not sure what my max is because I haven’t tried!
- I absolutely despise when Chris makes us do calves. My calves are too big and immediately cramp. I sit that one out by stretching.
- I do not like doing squats during the lunge track.
- I like 2:2s and slow 4’s much better than singles.
- Halfway lifts are cool. Holds are not.
- I prefer pushups to planks. Especially around the world planks.
- Love spinal twists at the end of class.
- I prefer overhead presses to dips. Extensions are the best though.
- I boycott the 2 deep breaths at the end of cool down.
- I prefer the music in the newer releases, especially the most recent.
- Number of friends I look forward to seeing every time: 3-4
- I think my muscles are the firmest and biggest they’ve ever been…
Came home from Pump to pack in some food!
I made a salad with a bed of lettuce topped with a snack plate of chips, crackers, veggies and pimento cheese. It worked well to eat the top with my fingers and the bottom with a fork!
On the side I had some greek yogurt with jam and chia in my fanciest bowl ; )
At least the spoon was nice!
After lunch I roasted a marshmallow on the stove top!
I saw these homemade mallows at the farmer’s market and had to have them. Did you know I’m obsessed with marshmallows?? (but I hate typing that word!!)
These may have been made with corn syrup and sugar, but they seemed a litttttle bit more real food to me than the grocery store ones. I gotta learn to make my own!
Roasting on an open fire…
Pure heaven. This was the best roasted marshmallow I’ve ever had!! It was silky smooth.
Another random fact: total fruit flies caught = about 100. My system has upgraded from a bowl with apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap to this fancy test tube shaped vase with a cone of paper – trapping them even more effectively. My kitchen is nearly fruit fly free!
{ 126 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my goodness!! I LOVE marshmallows!!!
I like body pump but I don’t love it yet! I still don’t feel like I get a great workout from it…..
Lunch looks yummy!!
WHAT are those crackers? They look thin & crisp {so basically awesome}
I have fruit flies too, but can’t seem to get rid of them. I’ll have to try the cone!
From the farmer’s market
that picture of you is gorgeous, kath!!!
those marshmallows look pretty dang good too (: haha
That is an excellent way to catch fruit flies!!! i have so many at my house – thank you!
I now have a HUGE craving for toasted marshmallows!!! They look incredible, dipped in chocolate they would be heavenly!
I think we have the same brain. I agree with every point you made on body pump. I love triceps and shoulders, too. I think biceps is the hardest and dislike the (boring) squat track that lasts forever. I use free weights for the shoulder and bicep tracks – 12 lbs for biceps and at least 8 for shoulders. I can feel the burn more!!
I am using your cone trick for fruit flies. I have had a cup of apple cider vinegar and dish soap on my counter for 2 days, and they don’t seem to be falling for it any longer… Too many of their friends have died – they may be catching on.
Homemade marshmallows are pretty much sugar, corn syrup, and powdered sugar, haha. My Grandma used to make them. Very time consuming but definitely worth it.
That was fun to read your list–but SO sad you don’t love squats—that is MY favorite track
I also love when squats are in the lunge track! I might be partial to it all though, I love BodyPUMP and I love teaching it! I am not a huge fan of biceps curls, but I do them because they work!
Nice job in being able to add weight—that is KEY to seeing changes in (anyone)’s/your body. If they aren’t getting a good workout, they are either not using enough weight, have poor form, or are not giving the class a chance.
Oh and I LOVE the back track! It makes me feel so powerful and energized.
Sorry-I teach the class 3-4x per week, so it’s fun for me to talk about it with others who love it too
Love your lunch –looks delish!!
Annette, I’m doing my cert the weekend before Thanksgiving (and we have to know the routine and be able to teach it when we get there!). I’ll gab it about it all ya want with you after that.
OH COOL!!! You’re doing it!!! You’re going to LOVE it. I’d love to ‘gab’ about it–let me know if you have any questions beforehand
Squats are my favorite too!!!!! Love love them! And I love back- we have an instructor that does 7 rows instead of 2 sets of 3′s. Oh how I love when she yells, “What’s better than 3???” and we yell “7!!!”
And I love shoulders because I feel strong using the large plates for these. Except when we do front raises.
I am going to have to try to the fruit fly trick. I am getting sick of them. They are majorly attracted to the kids bananas but I would hate to be the mom that says no bananas for breakfast. There would be something wrong with that line.
My calves cramp during TRX from different moves, so I can feel your pain!
I made homemade marshmallows last year at Christmas. They are easy and SOO delicous! Plus you can flavor them however you like!
ooo I love the fun bug catcher. I just use Penny. She is excellent at catching fruit flies! She says “slurp!”
Well I don’t body pump so don’t really understand the list and we don’t have a fruit fly problem here in Southern England. But I am understanding the love of marshmallows and I admire your self restraint. I could never just eat one. Yours looked amazing.
My sister made homemade marshmellows once and they were like a cloud of sweetness! Sinfully good!
I’ve never been to a Body Pump class but it’s on my to-do list. I just have to get my gym to offer one!
Yum homemade marshmallows!
Is that 26 proper push ups? I can only do ten max – from my knees!
Proper on my toes average American pushups.
Not proper military “chest on the floor” style
Ooohhh la la… Yummy marshmallow!
I like your version of the fruit fly trap! They will not live to see another fruit
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
This Bodypump release is TOUGH! My shoulders are aching right now from those 7 bent over wide rows in a row, what are they thinking??? I’ll have to copy your fruit fly trap, I tried one like that earlier and they kept getting back out but I have to do SOMETHING because they’re taking over!
I love 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We always do 7 instead of 2 sets of 3′s. Love love love.
Ha ha, maybe one day I’ll get there
For now, I can’t stand it! I’ve had to go down in my weight on the back track for this release, but I keep telling myself it’s the stuff we especially hate that is the most important to work on.
Totally agree about most of your bodypump notes! However, I hate lunges and appreciate the tracks that also include squats. I also find that with biceps, it’s hard for me to add on the weight. I think I’m sort of in-between weights right now and just need to take the plunge and add it on. I won’t be able to finish the sets, but it’s probably the only way to make progress. I also go a little lighter than I could on the back track – I don’t want to injure myself on the clean & presses!
Hoping my gym has the latest release this week. I’m ready for a change!
I’ve never tried roasting marshmallows on the stove, and right now mine is electric so I doubt it would work very well! The broiler on the other hand, may be an option… hmmm.. now I’m curious!
I’m assuming your marshmellows had gelatin. I remember trying to roast some natural ones in high school and they melted into the fire:) I love your thoughts on Body pump. I’ve been going for over 2 years. I am totally going to try your towel suggestion. My least favorite thing about body pump is that the muscle groups are always in the same order.
Seeing that body pump list really makes me want to try out a class! I wish I could just pay per class rather than join a gym b/c I don’t want/need a gym membership!
Jessica at howsweeteats.com made homemade beer marshmallows a couple of months ago, sounds right up your alley!
Absolutely!!
Keep a basil plant in your kitchen. The fruit flies supposedly don’t like it and will go away!! It has been working in my kitchen this year.
Oh good tip!
That’s weird- I’ve never had fruit flies until this summer, within 2 days after buying a basil plant for the first time! I was convinced they came out of the plant!
I make homemade marshmallows a couple times a year. They really are so much better than store bought. I use Alton Brown from Food Networks recipe. It’s pretty easy and totally worth!!
Don’t like the Jackson Five?!? Wha??? I’ll try to forget you said that
Hey, I think Martha Stewart has a marshmellow recipe. I believe I saw her make them on her show once….. I adore them too!
wish I could be that determined and exercise regularly for a year (or more). Is there a recipe for some will-power some where?
the marshmallow looks delicious.
Find a class that you like and convince a friend to join you!
Congrats on the Body Pump progress !
And wow.. those marshmallows look AH mazing!
I loved reading about your body pump thoughts, I’ve had a similar experience but with just lifting on my own. It’s made me so much stronger, confident, and happier! Muscles are sexyyy
I’ve got a recipe for peppermint marshmallows if you’re interested for the Christmas season! So good
http://www.whatmegansmaking.com/2010/12/peppermint-marshmallows.html
I’ve never tried body pump, but since I can’t do anywhere near 26 push-ups, maybe I need to?
Yum!
Your food always turns me a bit green with envy but this post is the height of my jealousy! I *live* for roasted marshmallow (I hate spelling that word too); it is my 2nd favorite flavor after Biscoff.
Gotta know: why do you boycott the two deep breaths?
(And I’m glad to see you’re not one of those “turn the marshmallow into a ball of flames” type of people. There’s something seriously wrong with that!)
I just find them superfluous! It’s the squatting down to raise the arms up – I’d rather just breath standing up after doing 100 squats in class
I see – the squats get you again!
haha at the end of the Insanity videos we have to do two deep breaths also… I skip them; what’s the point?
Humm my fam needs to do that apple cider thingy to get rid of the fruit flies, they are so annoying.
I, too, despise doing squats during the lunge track!! The current lunge track we’re doing at my gym is a doozy!
I’ve been wanting to try Body Pump forever! Hmmm marshmellows sound really good right now
I love your Body Pump reflections! So many are so true!!!
Man, I have GOT to find a place to take some body pump! I always read about it on other people’s blogs and I think I would really like it!
hey kath! that meal looks delicious. i have been reading your blog for awhile & love to get creative ideas. did you know today is real food day? In case maybe you didn’t here is the site: http://realfoodchallenge.org.Thought you might enjoy!
Oh fun! Happy RF Day!
I wish I didn’t work all day so I could try a body pump class!
Thought I’d share this great source for AMAZING marshmallows: http://www.sugarpoof.com/pages/flavors.htm
We’re going to have a s’mores bar at my wedding featuring White Russian and Key Lime Pie S’mores (and original, of course!)
Hi Kath!
I’m a recent reader – just found you through fannetasticfood
regarding this fruit fly trap – is there a link to a post on how to get rid of them?? I feel like they come out of the woodwork in my kitchen!
It’s just as I described above –
Apple cider vinegar + 1 small glug of dish soap in a glass on your counter. The funnel is optional, but works best
PS. Welcome to KERF!
Does it only work with cider vinegar or do you reckon wine vinegar could work too?
Oooh I tried to roast marshmallows last week on my stove and even though it’s gas, it was just a little too trick to actually get ‘mallow to flame and so rather than burning down my house, I skipped it. But now I want to try again
Love your reflections and that you’ve found something that works for you and makes you happy and that you get results from and that is just a good fit…for you!
Even though Autumn and Summer are my favorite seasons, at least winter in the North East means no fruit flies! I am vegan and don’t like to kill anything, including bugs, but fruit flies are where I draw the line. We went away for the weekend this summer and I left an uncut onion out. Oh my gosh, I was infested. It took WEEKS to get rid of them. No more compost kept on the counter either!
I am afraid to try Body Pump. lol. But they do offer it by me.
Think I will just stick to my Jillian Michael’s video and increasing my running skills.
Roasted marshmallow looks yummy. Have yet to try a homemade one. Heard they are not that hard to make. And you can add all sorts of yummy flavors, like peppermint. Oooo.. Can you imagine a s’more with peppermint? Yum!
I love BodyPump too! I would take it all the time if I had a gym membership that had the class.
That’s awesome to hear all of your feats over the last couple years! Improvement in strength training is always so encouraging to me. I love the feeling of being able to lift more and my muscles looking better and bigger.
Also, I’ve never even heard or thought of homemade marshmallows! That sounds amazing. I love marshmallows too – yummm!
Making marshmallows isn’t all that hard and it is so worth it!! I hope you get the chance to try sometime soon
I have the worst fruit fly situation right now too! What is the deal? I ended up buying that sticky fly paper since my vinegar bowl wasn’t working either, but that cone idea seems like the best. Definitely going to try it!
I’ve just started getting into bodypump recently, and it’s a love/hate relationship! (More love though!)
You should definitely try making your own marshmallows, I’ve done it a couple of times and it’s actually super easy! SO much better than the store bought ones too
#1: Hooray for BP! I can’t wait to start teaching it! And I’ll trade ya push-ups for planks any day!
#2: Making the funnel at the top of your vinegar bowl is brilliant! We had a problem with them (and vinegar drew them out) but I think the cold weather has chased them away (I did notice a TON of them at Blenheim on Saturday)
#3: Yet another stroke of genius from you- roasting ‘mallows (easier to type) over the gas stove. I’m going to copy that trick.
great tip about the fruit fly situation! I’ll have to keep that in mind in case I ever run into that problem again. I love the idea of rosting marshmallows over the stove top. Too bad we have a glass top stove…that could get pretty messy!
No way, I pick planks over push ups any day! Oh that marshmallow…I love roasting them over my stove. The thought of not having a gas stove would kill me!
I have an entire bag of mallows in my pantry.
Now you’ve got me thinking on a really dangerous track.
Love the comment about hating Chris. I feel the same way about my spin instructor. He’s lovely but I’ve called him some pretty rude names in my head during class!
Homemade marshmallows are the best…the store bought ones can’t even compare.
very interesting body pump reflections! i have a terrible time staying committed to a strength training routine… thinking a class like BP may help me out.
brilliant marshmallow idea!
so, do you weigh 3-4 pounds more than before you started….but, is your dress size smaller? just curious…and don’t you find that you are very hungry after workouts? do you eat something right before class?
I don’t weigh myself and there are way too many confounding factors to be able to attribute any kind of body changes other than gained strength to Body Pump
Congrats on going to Pump for the entire year! I’ve been doing it on and off for about 6 years and still love it. However, I only go once a week because it essentially serves up only one kind of muscle work: relatively low weights, high number of reps. Ideally, our muscles also need work-outs with really heavy weights but only a few reps in each set.
I also dislike the squat track and even after all these years cannot get past the limit of 2 large plates on each side! And this is despite also running and spinning, and having really big thighs! I think, my biggest problem with the BP squats is the singles, which you have to do so quickly that it puts pressure on your knees and lower back. Love the work “in the basement” though, nice and hard.
Fave track – #4 – the back. No contest. Clean-n-presses rule
Wow, judging from all the comments and my experiences over the first half of of the month, October must definitely be the month of the fruit flies! I used the ACV and soap trick and they finally went away after a few days past the two week mark. Supposedly they reproduce like crazy and have a life span of about 10 days, which explains why the are hard to get rid of.
Pretty sure the “Pre Kath Body Pump” now is just a drawing of me.
By the way, I’m never able to eat a marshmallow with my hair down without getting sticky hair. Hope you were more coordinated!
I love how you tease us with the marshmallow. They are so good and I love them toasted. They’re even making an instant Starbucks toasted marshmallow flavored hot chocolate. I can’t wait to try it!
And great job with the muscle development! It’s such a great feeling when you get stronger and know it’s all because of the hard work you put in.
I’ve always wanted to try those fancy marshmellows! Good to know they are delicious!
Using Merlot wine works amazingly to attract the fruit flies to their drowning pool!
That marshmallow looks so gourmet! I spotted some at whole foods and I love the square shape. It makes them that much more fun somehow.
And yes! Supposedly they’re super easy to make. I’ve heard good things about Molly Wizinberg’s marshmallows recipe on Bon Appetit:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/07/homemade_marshmallows
I’m not really a fan of marshmallows but this one looks so cool! I think it’s because it’s handmade, and you know…anything handmade is the best teheee
wowww you make body pump sound so fun Kath! Never tried it, but I bet it feels rewarding afterwards.
Oh my, there’s so much entertainment in this post: the kath-the-body-pumper sketch, the million musings, the toasted ‘mellows, the genius diy fruit fly trap!
What a smart idea to deal with fruit fly! I have never heard of this way. For sure, I will try your way next time. They are not welcomed in my house. Thank you for sharing:)
You really are a shoulder gal! 26 push-ups is a lot! I HATE the shoulder track. I feel so weak… maybe because its at the end of class or maybe I have weak shoulders, or combo of both?? I struggle to do even 16 push-ups. I am usually okay with singles, but hate push-up holds and super slow push-ups. I like triceps, back, and abs. I totally agree about the two deep breaths. It seems so silly/unneccessary when a really hard-core teacher does that in the cool down!
P.S.- You must have really good self-control! If I were eating marshmallows, I would definitely eat more than one!!
I think we all have our strong muscles
Relative to my other muscles, my squat weight is really low. But I still haven’t figured out a perfect form to not feel it in my lower back!
Watch me next time with the 2 deep breaths – Sara and I are laughing about it now that she “knows” because I always boycott
Aghh!! Thank you SO much for the fruit fly tip–they are constantly in my kitchen lately and its literally driving me crazy. I’ll be sitting at dinner and immediately get glass-eyed if I see one and have to stop everything I’m doing to kill it as soon as possible. Hehe!
Ha, I love your reflections from Body Pump. Pump is such a great workout and pretty much the only strength routine I will commit to.
I was thinking of making vegan/sugar free mashmallows. I love marshmallows, but some of those ingredients can be scary! Homemade is the best. Happy Monday!
How would you make those!? I can’t imagine them without gelatin and sugar. Maybe honey and chia?
I was thinking agave and agar agar. Do you want me to let you know if I pull it off? Fingers crossed!
Haha love the picture!! Better than anything I would make on paint :O
I want to try pump! I’ve heard so many great things about it.
I love how everyone has their own body pump oddities! I think lunges and shoulders are my least favorite. I love chest and triceps.
I’m a marshmallow fanatic and since making my own for the first time three years ago, I haven’t bought commercial mallows. I swear by Alton Brown’s for basic and have switched it up from there. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html
Congrats on Body Pump consistency! I was like that with Zumba Toning at the YMCA for a while, but then I couldn’t afford the membership anymore. But I may be teaching Zumba there soon, so maybe I’ll get a free membership in the process!
I miss the classes so much!
LOL! I love your BodyPump drawing of yourself– I look the same except my smile is upside down. I am also a lover of triceps but you’re crazy for thinking the chest track is fun! Ouchy mama..
I’ve got to try that fruit fly trick, I hate them! Somehow I feel better knowing that they have plagued you before though..before I just felt dirty LOL!
i love the marshmallow idea. but i love the fruit fly idea even MORE. thank you!
Thanks for the tip about putting a towel on the bar during squats. I always feel like I can lift more weight but the bar kills my back. I’ll definitely try that tip. There are times during body pump when I’m hating it and wanting to cry, but I do see results. Reading about u experience is encouraging.
Great feedback on body pump! I’m the opposite: I HATE triceps and love squats…lunges kill me!
Nice spin that you put on the fruit fly trap (tall vase, funnel) – but wouldn’t it be nice to give a shout out to the reader who suggested the apple cider and dishwasher solution a few days ago?
Not trying to “start anything” – I just know that if I’d given a suggestion, it would be nice to be credited insignificantly. It doesn’t take much to say “oh, a reader suggested this a few days ago! I put a little spin on it! Thanks – it really works!”
I don’t think that is really necessary. While I appreciate the reader, I’ve gotten the advice from many people – including employees at the bakery and Faith.
Really?
Your reply to that reader was:
“THANK YOU for this suggestion! There are already 3 in the bowl (sadness, but they are driving me nuts)”
Didn’t really seem like you’d gotten the advice from multiple sources prior to that comment. Ah well, we believe what we want to believe, I suppose…
It does not bother you to have bigger muscles? I prefer the muscles firm, but slender, like with power yoga …
They are only bigger when I flex – I’m not bulking up. Not that my body genetics aren’t already on the bulky side..
Oh I see, nothing like the definition of muscle strength and posture that gives!
Isn’t it amazing how well the cider/dish soap works? We do it in a ramekin covered with saran wrap that’s got several holes poked in it. I always knocked over the paper cone.
cider vinegar, that is!
My guess is that red wine vinegar would work too since red wine itself is also a great bait
That’s really cool about the fruit fly catcher!
WOW…thank you for the fruit fly catcher trick. They are super annoying and not playing nice with my fruit. I’m gonna make one tonight!
Fun to see different ways to trap those fruit flies! Go, Kath, go!
I’ve been reading and progressively applying the Eat For Your Type “diet”. I find it really makes me feel better and gives me energy. Being that I’m a blood type A, I respond to a vegetarian diet with some chicken and fish. I couldn’t figure out why I felt worse after intense physical exercise! Now I know, intensity increases my stress level. I really do respond to lighter forms of exercise. Since you love body pump, etc. I’m betting that you’re a blood type O.
I AM blood type O!! Where can I read more about this?
!! You may find these to be interesting:
http://www.dadamo.com/bloodtype_O.htm
http://www.dadamo.com/program.htm
Thanks
The roasted marshmallow is GENIUS! I love so much that you did that. I wouldn’t have been able to contain myself from making an entire s’more out of it if I did that though
love your review!! but you honestly prefer push-ups to planks??? wow! and you do 26 real ones or on your knees?
never thought of roasting marshmallows over the stove
and I will try the cone for the fruit flies, hopefully better than using my vacuumer
I have fruit fly problems too. They are terrible to get rid of. Do they come with the fruit or grow on their own. They are annoying. I left a glass of wine on the counter to get them. It worked. Next time I’ll try the cone.
I love your bike mug and table runner! Where did you get them?
P.S. I have been craving a campfire and roasted marshmellows so bad!
A blog reader got me the mug and the tea towel is by Oh Little Rabbit on Etsy
Love Body Pump but can only seem to make it once a week. I really need to up it to twice. And I REALLY love your fruit fly trap idea! Can’t wait to try it!
My freshman year roommate was not exactly the tidiest person around (which is the total opposite of my super-neat self), and she had a tendency to not empty her garbage…which resulted in some serious fruit fly issues. I ended up making a fruit-fly trap to deal with it, and it worked! THANK GOD.
So, I have been using the fruit fly mixture (AC vinegar + liquid soap) for a few years now, but I have found that the fruit flies don’t always die, and it usually takes several hours to get them. I read your post a couple days ago…then THAT NIGHT when I got home, I found a bunch of fruit flies in my kitchen. I added the funnel to my standard mixture, and 30 minutes later, I had 16 fruit flies in my glass! The funnel did the trick! Thanks for the timely tip!
Unfortunately, you kind of need corn syrup in marshmallow making to skew the sugar ratio between glucose and fructose…if you have even amounts, they tend to recrystallize. That little bit of extra fructose in grocery grade corn syrup (not hfcs) helps tip the balance enough so you don’t have little sugar chunks in your marshmallows…It’s one of those things you just have to enjoy and eat in moderation!