Yay! It’s mah Birthday week!
Yay! It’s mah Birthday week!
Hey guys!
I hope you had a lovely weekend! I spent it cooking vegan comfort food at a cooking class as a part of one of my early birthday gifts and I also danced a lot. Cardio dancing that is. I don’t do that whole club scene. I tried to like it, but it’s really just not me. Power to you if you do! 🙂 It was raining in LA this weekend too, so even though it was gloomy, the clouds just made everything feel cozy. I really enjoyed it. It made me happy.
Before I go into more detail, I wanna share with you your new workout on the #janYOUary calendar! It’s called “Sleek Tank Top Arms“. Please don’t skip this one and just focus on your abs and thighs. C’mon guys. You’ve got to work your whole body! Every muscle counts. Plus, the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn at rest, and in general. It helps increase your metabolism.
Now! Let’s talk vegan food! First of all, no I am not vegan, but I love eating vegan and cooking vegan when I can because I feel like it’s so creative! You don’t need meat to make things taste good, you just need to know how to mix and match flavors. Also, I would like to note that just because you’re eating vegan, it does not automatically mean you’re eating less calories or you’re eating super clean. It just means you’re not eating anything made from animals or animal by-product. This particular class I took at this place in LA called EATZ was titled “Vegan Comfort Foods” so it’s on the rich, creamy, and verrryyy yummy side. 🙂 Let me show you what we made!
Thai Coconut Butternut Squash Soup!
INGREDIENTS:
1 butternut squash (skinned and chopped)
1/2 onion diced
1 garlic clove minced
1 can coconut milk
1 cup boiling water
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/2 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Buy pre-chopped butternut squash if you can and bake in the oven for 25-40 min at 400F until soft. Use a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Put the squash along with other ingredients in blender then pour into a pot to heat on medium.
3. Season withdraw salt and pepper to taste!
4. Top with avocado, roasted corn, and cilantro for extra flavor. I also like squeezing lemon on top! It really finishes it well.
What does this look like to you?
Pulled “Pork” BBQ Sandwiches made with Jackfruit
Yup! That was unripened jackfruit that was made into fake “pulled pork”! It was INCREDIBLE! We even made our own BBQ sauce. I didn’t truly realize exactly how much sugar was used in BBQ Sauce, but let’s just say it’s a lot! That’s why when you’re trying to eat clean, your biggest culprits could be in the dressings and the sauces.
Try to stick to things like Tabasco sauce, Tabanero, lemon, natural spices, Sriracha, mustard, a little soy sauce if you need it (careful though, lots of sodium), and greek yogurt as a sour cream/mayo alternative are all great condiments you should use! For dressings, I always read the label and make sure I know what’s in it and that the first 3 ingredients are oil, water, and some kind of vinegar. Water and vinegar are calorie free and the oil adds in healthy fat that will also make your salad satiating. I try to go less than 0.5 g of saturated fat per serving. The rest of the ingredients should be herbs, spices, and seasonings that you’re familiar with. You can also try making your own fresh dressings once in a while!
Ah and I also want to show you a pic from last week!!
I am filming something epic for you guys! You will probably find out in a couple months. I got to overlook the beautiful city of LA as I was shooting this. How gorgeous huh? Oh and I noticed that a lot of POPsters on Instagram were like whoa that’s what it takes to film a video!? Haha, you should see some of the behind the scenes stuff on OTHER sets I am on that are not my own. This is a widdle baby compared to that 🙂 But yes, there’s a lot that goes into making a good workout video for you. Back in the day, I had my little handycam or laptop, I’d hit record myself, and then I’d basically not even edit it and put it up on YouTube! Throughout the years, I’ve picked up snippets of good tips on lighting, sound, hair and makeup etc. I’ve also met some tremendously awesome people that have helped me improve the quality of your videos. It’s all about teamwork and bringing your passion to the table along with other people to accomplish a common vision.
Ah and last thing! I wanna share with you my personal HIIT workout of the day after I taught POP Pilates this morning at Equinox. Here it is:
“Feelin’ Good HIIT”
(45 sec on, 15 sec rest, 4x)
1. Shoulder presses with 15 lb dumbbells
2. Knee Highs (hand behind head)
3. Plie squats (holding 37.5lb dumbbell at chest)
4. Frogger jumps (wide squat, then touch hands to floor and pop up into a jack)
5. Overhead Triceps (used 22.5lb dumbbell)
6. Burpees (with pushup)
The workout is quick and it’s effective. I’m now pairing HIITs with dance and POP Pilates. I really like doing a bit of everything because it keeps my body flexible, strong, and limber. Hope you have a fantastic start to your week!
29 thoughts on “Yay! It’s mah Birthday week!”
There are 29 comments posted by our users.
Hi there! I am doing my EPQ primary research. Please please please help me to do this survey which is about body image issues among teenage girls! This may only take 5 minutes!! If it is possible, please help me to ask some of your friends to do this survey. Your help is HIGHLY appreciated:) THANK YOU:D
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Hi there! I am doing my EPQ primary research. It is about body image issues among teenage girls. Please please please help me to do this survey which may only take 5 minutes!! If it is possible, please help me to ask some of your friends to do this survey. Your help is HIGHLY appreciated:) THANK YOU:D https://eSurv.org?s=LHLJLL_2eb29a1d
That soup recipe looks amazing! Definitely making some of your recipes this week 🙂 Hope you had a great birthday! I have been doing your work outs every day and am now six months pregnant and can’t do a lot of the workouts. You should make some videos for pregnancy 🙂
Hey Cassie,
nice Workout!
I was wondering if at some point you could make another Power Ring Video? Maybe for arms and shoulders. I think a lot of POPsters would be up for that!
Thanks!
Greetings from Germany
Hey Casey! I love the 30 day flat ab challenge and have definitely noticed results! I was wondering if at some point you could make another 30 day challenge, but for butts? Thanks!
Happy Birthday, Cassey! You are such an inspiration and I love your videos! 🙂
Brittany
Happy birthday to you. <3
Happy Birthday Cassey!
Happy Birthday, Cassey!!! You have been such an inspiration to me on my fitness journey! Thank you for sharing you infectious smile and contagiously vibrant energy through your videos and blog, and for continuing to build up the blogilates community and those in it!
<3
Happy Birthday, Cassey! Your positivity and happiness towards life is so inspiring and because of it, I hope that you get just as much positivity and happiness back for a special birthday!
Hi Cassey!
Happy birthday!!
I have a feeling this is going to be long so please bear with me, lol. This is just an overall thank you comment. I don’t usually post comments on anything, but I feel incredibly inclined to do so on your website, because in just a matter of a week, blogilates have helped me so much, and I appreciate all that you do for your POPsters. A friend recommended your workout calendar to me, and it was just what I needed to get out of this unhealthy cycle I’m in. Since my last two years of college, I really neglected my health and fitness due to stress from school and some health problems/injuries…oh and senioritis, haha! I was a varsity athlete in high school, but I had trouble finding a way to consistently exercise with so much school work and extra-curriculars. I thought getting back to that level of fitness would be hard without the formal rigorous conditioning provided by coaches during team practices. Now as a post-grad, I have a little more time to take care of myself and following the janYOUary workout calendar was the best decision I’ve made this new year. Before I started your workout, I could barely look at myself in the mirror since I felt I had let myself go. I definitely was at my heaviest weight, super stressed, and unhappy with myself and outlook on life. BUT, just two weeks into the monthly calendar and I feel like a new person! I’m a lot happier with myself, more positive, and I can really feel the results (and see it too!) I’m so motivated to keep up with the workouts because they’re challenging and fun, and your encouraging positivity is amazing!
Anyways, this is getting long haha. Long story short–thank you so much for all that you do and please keep making videos! I already feel like I can see myself getting back to the athlete I once was, and probably even stronger, after this month’s calendar is done.
Thank youuu, again! You are bomb-diggity. Have an awesome birthday week!
Happy birthday Cassey <3 you inspire all of us so much ^-^ Thank you for everything :3
Happy Birthday Cassey!!! I hope you have another year of awesomeness!!
All my love <3
Happy birthday Cassey!!! I hope you have another great year of awesomeness!!
All my love<3
Cassey, I hope your birthday week is full of all your favorite things and time spent with your loved ones. I’ve been following you for several years now, but have just gotten back into working out consistently to your videos. You have an incredible positivity that flows through everything you do and I’m so grateful to be the recipient of it! I can’t imagine how difficult it is to not only produce so much content but also to have opinions and comments coming in all directions. Your videos are effective and fun, but I realize I’ve stayed engaged with your content because you are so very encouraging and thoughtful. So again, happy happy birthday. Thank you for all the gifts you’ve given us.
Best,
Hallie
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Cassey!!!
I just want to say a big thank you, I started your workout calender over a year ago, not to lose weight just to tone up and get into a routine, and your workouts are so effective but so fun and you really motivate me!! I can’t wait for all your new workouts in 2015! Xx
Happy birthday!! On 11th was also mine 🙂 Feel great with the workout you teach, Cassey..and I’m 38 now !!!!!!! Love from Rimini, Italy
Happy Birthday, Cassey:)
Today is my Birthday. I feel very happy 🙂
Yay birthday week is the best! I can’t wait to try the arm workout and those recipes look delicious.
http://love-pink-forever09.blogspot.com/
Hi Cassey! Just wanted to thank you for everything that you do. It’s been only 2 weeks since I discovered you but I think you are going to change my life! I have been following the 90 day meal plan (was it called that?) and I have to say I feel extremely good. One year ago I tried following a diet that was a bit similar to yours, but it was just way too much broccoli, chicken and rice that I could not stand it. And cold milk protein or expensive protein bars for every snack, yuck. And they allowed only green veggies, things like carrots were forbidden… eh. It was a famous diet in my country meant for ordinary people, designed by one of the national fitness celebrities. I was a bit skeptical when I started this plan of yours, but it seems to work all differently. I am so very surprised how a small apple and 10 almonds can keep you satisfied and energetic. I would have more to tell you but let’s keep this comment relatively short. 🙂
Although I got one question. How many calories can YOLO meals usually have? Are they a big pizza (2000 kcal) and some cake on top of that? Or are they just a cheese cake slice on top of a healthier meal? I am asking this because I was thinking if it was a good idea to have a cheat day instead if I divide the calories evenly by every meal. Like having some bread with jam for breakfast, chicken salad with CROUTONS (omg love them) for lunch, some muesli with milk for snack etc.
Thanks so much. Much love from Finland!
It’s my birthday week too! Happy birthday to us! Been keeping up with the ab challenge and my husband is doing it with me. That definitely helps keep me motivated.
Happy birth week for your brith week i will watch all your vodeos in blogilates
Glad that you got to rewind a little! And I am off to make myself some vegan comfort food 🙂
Those pics are mouth watering Cassey!
What are you planning for your birthday?? Any especial challenge or celebration? 🙂
Hope you have a fantastic birthday week!! May this week be filled with so much good things for you! I cant wait to see what you are filming! From the picture it looks fantastic!! <3
Happy birthday week!!! Hope the whole week is full of great things for you!!! Cant wait to see what your filming, from that one picture it already looks fantastic!!
My nightmare is bringing salad and dressing on the go. As much as I love it, it’s just so hard to do to keep fresh, and when I finally do eat it, it doesn’t look and feel as appetizing as making it with love at home where I can jazz it up. Also, I love dance cardio! My only thing with it is, it doesn’t improve my fitness as much as I’d like it to. 🙂
Try storing it in containers that come with a freezable lid or something like that. That way it can stay fresh and cold ^_^
happy birth week! also, that thai soup looks delicious.