This morning’s lovely bowl of oatmeal! Whipped banana with flax and cottage cheese. Almond butter on top.
Mazen went back to school today after a week off for our trip. He was thrilled to go back! While he was gone I worked on a few things and then did a round of planks from my friend Jen’s new book Ultimate Plank Fitness. This book is packed (6 packed?!) full of ideas for planks, and I can tell I’m going to be extra sore tomorrow.
Jen offered to give away a copy to one of you – enter below!
I walked downtown to run an errand and passed by our new pie shop – The Pie Chest!
This was my first visit in, and boy oh boy was it exciting!! I asked if I could take a few photos of the space. I love how crisp and cozy it feels.
The PIES!
Sweet…
And savory…
I had the idea to get one of each as a surprise for Mazen’s lunch and go on a picnic together to enjoy our sunny weather.
So picnic we did!
My savory pie of choice: broccoli and pimento cheese. I am all about pimento cheese! And I figured it was a good choice for M since he likes broccoli. I loved it, but even when described as both pie and an upside-down pizza with cheese he wouldn’t touch it.
The veggies and hummus were a big hit though. Along with pretzels, fruit and cheese.
We played around for a bit before digging into dessert.
Coconut cream pie!! Again, this was a huge hit for mom (DELICIOUS!)
On our walk home we discussed quiet time toy options. He decided he wanted them all!
And now he’s napping, which is a good thing because he can stay up late to greet KK when she flies in tonight!
Check out Instagram for a dinner shot – we’re having burgers on the grill!
Allison says
My favorite plank is on a Bosu ball
Amy G. says
Oh, those pies! I’d have a hard time deciding which to get. 🙂
Amy G. says
Regarding the plank question, by the way… I can pretty much only do the regular straight arm and bent arm ones so far. No sides yet!
Clizia Motterle says
I love side planks! So challenging though
Elyse says
It looks like a perfect spring day for a picnic! The pies looked fab, too bad M didn’t want them!
Melissa says
Yum! The pie restaurant sounds like such a great concept and it looks like they have a ton of variety!
Gabbie says
I haven’t tried many variations but all planks are a great way to feel the burn
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Oh man I want all that pie!
Cassie says
First of all, never tried cottage cheese in oatmeal. Does it taste good? 🙂
Secondly, I HATE advanced planks where you hold the opposite arm and leg at the same time! Soooooo painful!
Julie says
I love Jen’s blog! My favorite is forearm plank!
Jessica says
Side planks hurt the best. 😀 I love how airy and bright that little shop is.
Casey @ Casey the College Celiac says
I love planks – any kind, anytime, any where! 😛
Allison says
Arms on a ball, feet elevated.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Planks are my favorite exercise! I love every challenging variation!
Maggie says
The whiskey chocolate chip pie is AMAZINGGG!
KathEats says
Ooooooo!
Maggie says
I love side planks with hip drops!
Elizabeth Beil says
I love a weighted side plank! I love Jen and her workouts! Have a wonderful day!
Caroline says
Side planks are my least favorite!
[email protected] says
I hope you devoured his pie share or at least held on to the leftovers! Both look and sound incredible.
Cyn says
I love/hate all planks…they are effective but oh so painful. The 2-point plank is a good/terrible one 🙂
Jeanna says
Forearm plank with one leg… Makes me feel strong -even though I most definitely am not 😉
Alicia Grove says
I like forearm planks!
Dani says
Up-downs! From full plank to elbows, alternating sides! Killer!
Mary Frances says
I’m all about fresh, seasonal and made from scratch! Those pies sound delicious and the oatmeal looks so healthy and tasty. I love that you balance indulgences with healthy choices so well. Sounds like you guys had a nice day. Mazen is so precious in those sunglasses!
Caroline says
I love to hate the up-down planks, where you start in forearm plank and push up to high plank. SO MUCH STRENGTH!
Maggie says
I like a straight up traditional plank.
Meghan says
favorite plank is side plank
melissa says
spider man planks!
Lindsay Edwards says
Side planks because they hurt so good!
Shannon Ball says
Least fav: forearm plank
Danielle says
Walking planks!
Jenny says
We tried the Pie Chest today too!! Yum.
KathEats says
Which flavor?!
Jenny says
Ha–the important part! Mushroom Leek Gruyere one and the Chicken Bacon. My 10 yr. old and I both loved the Leek.
Sarah says
I Iove a walk out to push up position. Push up. Hold plank. Walk back in. Repeats!!!
Nikki Fahey says
hm I don’t like any planks!!
Kristen says
i hate forearm plank
Katie M says
I really dislike doing side planks, particularly when I’m encouraged to add-on a big toe hold.
Katie says
On the ball! Or Bosu!
Katie Dawson says
I like doing a walking plank. You start with a forearm plank and then push up into a high plank and then go back down to a forearm plank. Tough and fun!
Karen says
Spiderman planks are my favorite!
cori says
Ohhhh spiderman!
Ann P-L says
I’m not a fan of forearm planks at all!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Oh man those pies look incredible! Totally craving a savory one right now.
My favorite plank variation is the spiderman plank!
Rachel says
All of those pies sound amazing! I have a really weak core/lower back and it’s such a struggle for me to work out those areas. I never think of planks beyond the basic positions!
Rachel says
I love side planks because I like to feel the burn in my love handles.
Liz says
My favorite plank is where you bring your knee up to meet your elbow on each side
sally mae says
Plank to push up!
Shaun says
I like doing a forearm plank with a side dip….not sure of the technical name!!
Kim says
Another great giveaway ! My favorite plank is the forearm – I seem to be able to almost relax in that position and hold the plank longer than other positions !
Kate says
I love doing a side plank crunch! I always feel it in my obliques the next day. While holding a side plank, you crunch the top elbow across and crunch the bottom knee to touch it.
Sally says
I love side planks – they make me feel so strong!
Jane says
I like the side plank the best, forearm plank the least! But would love to see all of her different ideas!
Carolyn says
Planks crossing my knees to the opposite side!
Sabrina says
Forearm planks are the best!
Colleen says
I like traditional planks and sometimes side planks in yoga class. Forearm planks are not usually my fave!
Melissa S. says
Oh my gosh I guess I’ve only done plain old regular planks? Is that the correct name … ha ha 🙂
Beth R. says
Plank jacks. Plank jacks are terrible, and I’m not nearly coordinated enough to complete them!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I don’t know many different types of plank poses. I tried a plank challenge last year and was doing them the “regular old-fashioned” way!
PS cottage cheese in oatmeal? I’ve never seen that but it sounds really good! Do you cook the cottage cheese at all?
KathEats says
Yes cook it for the last minute to two!
jordan k says
I love “up-down” planks!
Anne Weber-Falk says
I’ll have a traditional plank. Side planks kill me. Ugh!
Maegan C says
i am not a fan of any planks but slowly learning to like them more! pie looks yummy- will have to check that out!
heidi says
so excited for jen’s book! i have a love/hate relationship with planks!
Jane says
I like high plank with shoulder taps!
Morgan says
spiderman!
Paige c says
I hate reverse plank! But like all other types
PAMCARP says
I don’t know very many but l like the regular one.
Stephanie S. says
Those pies all look fab!
My favorite type of planks are up/downs, and my least favorite are side planks.
Erin A. says
I love, and hate, spiderman planks!
jen says
thank you so much for giving away a copy of my book! pie + planks sound like the perfect combo! 🙂
KathEats says
🙂
Trish says
The standard old plank is my favorite. I can feel it all over. I would like to definitely learn new forms!
Morgan S says
I love planks – such a great total body exercise and mental challenge! Also, I love the mini pies. Broccoli and pimento sounds delicious!
Jackie says
I love the original plank!
Kristin S. says
Side planks with your upper leg held up (star planks, I think) and commandos! What a great book idea!
Tami Jo Eaton says
I have only ever done one plank. I guess I need to research and learn that there are others out there.
Ashley says
side plank
Daniela C. says
Walking planks!
Megan B. says
I love/hate planks on a stability ball or bosu. Such a good challenge!
Ashleigh B says
Anything one-armed/one-legged (but I secretly love it at the same time – haha!)
Rachel says
My favorite plank is any plank version on the TRX or stability ball! Makes everything so much more challenging.
Stacy B says
Can’t say I love any planks (yet) but I can appreciate what an effective exercise they are!
Maryz says
Love side planks!
Lauren says
Hm, I really don’t know much other than the regular plank – I think I need to get this!
laura t. says
love weighted planks!
Alex @ True Femme says
Woah hold up–broccoli and pimento cheese savory pie?!?!?! Oh my gosh I need to find a good pie crust recipe and make that ASAP because it sounds heavenly!
Lynn says
Gosh, so many options! Been doing pledge planks this week courtesy of Jen Sinkler.
Angie Jerde says
I love to do the side planks with the dips. !
Katherine says
I had some of their key lime pie at a party a couple weeks ago. It was incredible!
Beaty says
I love planks in general. Planks with feet on the exercise ball, walking planks (hands to forearms) and planks on the pilates reformer (called something else there, but a plank none the less). Would LOVE to check out this book. I could use the ideas in my group ex. classes I teach.
Dana says
I’ve only ever done forearm planks, I would like to try other kinds though.
Lolita says
I love one arm planks!
Andrea says
i love side planks!
Kelsey says
I love side planks!
Amanda says
My favorite plank is forearm plank.
Bonnie says
Probably just traditonal planks but I also like to add in a push-up then transition to a side plank.
Megan says
Side planks are tough for me. They are typically done at the end of my workout class when my arms are dead!
Laura says
Hi! I love your blog so much! My favorite/least favorite plank is the traditional style. Kills but gets the job done. I’m interestedin seeing the many variations Jen has, another blogger I admire
jacklyn says
yum! i would love the plank book as i only know how to do 3 variations 🙂
maija says
Side planks with an arm scoop from the non-supporting arm.
Judy says
I’ve just started doing planks this year. I’m loving the planks we do in the TRX class I take. Oblique planks- they make me feel so strong!
Christina says
I like a rotating, 360-degree plank that gets all 4 sides.