F-F-Friday baby!!!!!!

You know what that means, it’s time for another round of fit Friday fun and boy are we gonna have some fun today!

So . . .

Raise your hand if you’re ready to get in and get good sweat on?!

Ok good because that is exactly what we are going to do today!

Today, I thought I’d we’d have ourselves a short and sharp, total body toning, tabata style workout that you can do anytime, anywhere,  in just 15 minutes, no equipment required!

Because some days you just need a short, sharp cardio blast am I right?!

Get in, get it done, and get on with living!

So, here’s what we are going to do –

6 exercises;

Squats
Squat Jumps
Alternating Lunges
Burpees
Mountain Climbers &
Push Ups

We will do each exercise for 30 seconds before moving on to the next then we repeat the entire sequence through for a total of 4 rounds, or as many rounds a pretty, in 15 minutes.

We will move from one exercise to the next with minimal/no rest in between – I’m not allocating any specific rest breaks in today’s workout but I want you to listen to that beautiful body of yours and rest as needed.

Anytime you feel like you need to take a break to catch your breath and grab a little drink then by all means please do so, and take all the time you need. However, if possible try to wait until you get to the bottom of each round to do so but, do what you gotta do, OK?!

Nothing complicated, basic movements done with good form for a short but effective total body workout.

And remember, we want quality not quantity, always! Never compromise your form, ever! If your form starts to fail your done, got it?

Take your time, concentrate, focus and breathe through each and every exercise. You are strong, you are amazing, you have big energy! You’ve totally got this!

And because nothing makes a workout challenge more fun than getting a buddy to join you. Why not grab your BFF or a family member or your fave workmate and have them join you, power in numbers baby!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how you did once you’re done. Either leave me a message in the comments below, or you can give me a shout on the Facebook page or tag me (@EmSwanston) on Twitter , or Instagram (@emsswanston) . I mean it, I wanna hear how you did!

Ok enough chit chat time to work –

 
– 15 Minute –

No Equipment

Total Body Tabata Workout

As always make sure you are nice an warm before you start your workout – Run on the spot, do jumping jacks, jump rope, dance around your living room, anything to get you warm then it’s time to get serious.

Finish with a nice little cool down and stretch, maybe take a walk or something anything to help bring your heart rate down. Finish with a few of your fave stretches. Please don’t skip the stretch people, its like dessert for the body.

Now onto our bonus smoothie recipe . . .

How does a nice tall, creamy, dreamy, decedent, rich, subtly sweet, deliciously indulgent, secretly healthy, seriously chocolatey, “cacao kapow” smoothie sound?

Luscious, creamy coconut yogurt is combined with decadent rich cacao, a splash of vanilla, a shot of espresso, sprinkling of cinnamon cheeky little pinch of cayenne to deliver you a deliciously indulgent, subtly sweet espresso infused smoothie that is an absolute taste sensation! 

Not only does it tastes all kinds of incredible but, it’s also bursting with nutritional value thanks to our cacao, coconut, cinnamon and cayenne pepper this bad boy is rich in antioxidants, it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it will help to aid digestion, boost immunity and your metabolism (aka – aid in weight loss) and so much more! Hence the name “cacao kapow”  – it’s a dark and delicious, nutritional powerhouse!

Oh and I should probably mention that not only does our deliciously indulgent, secretly healthy, creamy, dreamy, seriously chocolatey, nutritional powerhouse of a smoothie taste like an absolute dream but, it also happens to be vegan, dairy free, gluten free, keto and paleo friendly!!!

So much to love I tell you

It really is simply divine, the perfect way to treat yo’ self and put a little extra pep in your step while you refuel and re-energize that beautiful body of yours on this fabulous Friday.

Cacao Kapow Smoothie
{Vegan – Dairy Free – Keto – Paleo}
Makes 1 nice tall, creamy, dreamy, seriously chocolatey, perfectly spiced, decadent, rich, espresso infused, secretly healthy super smoothie

Ingredients –

1/3 cup coconut or Greek style yogurt

2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)

1/2 an overripe banana (preferably pre-frozen)

1 shot (or two) of your fave espresso, cooled – or 1 teaspoon of instant espresso

1 Tablespoon of cacao

1/2 of ground cinnamon

1 pinch of cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon of vanilla (or 4-6 drops of vanilla cream stevia – I like to use Sweet Leaf Stevia )

1 Tablespoon of coconut oil – optional but recommended

A pinch of salt

1/4-1/2  cup of ice – more or less to desired consistency

Optional but recommended for serving –

Cacao nibs

Coconut Flakes

Chili flakes

Chocolate coated espresso beans

Method –

1 – Place all smoothie ingredients into your and process until smooth, creamy and well combined.

2 – Pour into a chilled glass or mason jar then top with coconut flakes, cacao nibs chili flakes and espresso beans if desired.

You could also add in a scoop of protein powder (chocolate, vanilla or unflavoured would work in this recipe – I like to use The Healthy Chef – WPI) and some great lakes gelatin or vital proteins collagen peptides (use the code to get NHN329 to get 10% off ) for an extra boost of protein if you’re into that kinda thing – do what you feel baby

Enjoy xoxo

Don’t forget to give me a shout out when you’re done – hit me up in the comments below via the Facebook page on Twitter or on Instagram

Now go;

and have yourself a killer day xoxo

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Question of the day –

What’s your favorite way to refuel after a workout?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make this smoothie (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to

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