I worked through the late afternoon yesterday and once I left the gym, I made it my mission to get a few errands out of the way including a trip to the post office (mayhem!) and a pit stop at a local auto shop for an oil change. Oil changes are never a blast, but at least they had complimentary hot chocolate to enjoy while I waited.
I’ll take it!
By the time I made it home, dinner was almost ready thanks to some pre-work prep I did in the kitchen. Gotta love crock pot meals! I feel like 50 percent of our dinners lately have been crock pot meals and I’m definitely not complaining!
Yesterday’s dinner included Kristen’s Crock Pot Ranchero Chicken that we served over brown rice. (You should probably go look at her photos because mine are horrendous. That’s what happens when you’re too hungry to wait to take nice pictures!)
The recipe involved more prep work than I am used to with crock pot meals (I typically gravitate toward recipes where you can just dump everything in the crock pot and not worry about any stovetop cooking at all), but the extra effort was worth it because Ryan and I both loved the flavor!
The ranchero sauce was so tasty and I think it would be great with eggs, avocado and black beans in the morning for a special breakfast. Yum!
While I put the finishing touches on the crock pot chicken and cooking the brown rice, I put in the new holiday Pentatonix CD Ryan ordered for us!
My love for a cappella music knows no bounds and we first discovered this incredibly talented group while watching The Sing Off. We have followed them ever since and are continually impressed by their creativity. (I may or may not be a crazy lady who leaves them comments on their Facebook page begging them to come to Charlotte during their next tour… Do it!!)
15 Minute Arms and Abs Bodyweight Circuit
Today’s workout began nice and early since I had to head off to the gym to teach a 6 a.m. indoor cycling class. The class went well and our group was in a great mood, making little jokes between songs which kept things light and fun!
Once my class was over and I was done cleaning off my bike and chatting with everyone, I quickly took myself through a 15-minute arms and abs circuit that looked like this:
And since all of the exercises only use your body weight, it’s another great at home workout option!
A quick tip for the chest-to-floor push ups: Get into proper pushup form and lower yourself to the ground. Completely release your palms and pause on the ground before pushing yourself back up off the ground, using zero momentum. Keep your core tight!
Once I was done at the gym, I drove home for a short break to shower, make breakfast and chat with you lovely people. And now it’s time to head back out to work!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
I need to check out Pentatonix! I have heard they are great. Lately I have been listening to my Christmas station on Pandora and Vitamin String Quartet. Thanks for the recipe and the workout!
Julie says
Love Vitamin String Quartet!
Christina M says
Ugh – oil changes! I have to make an appointment… I hope they have hot chocolate at my dealership!! Definitely need to check out these crock-pot recipes… we tend to get so tired out my the time 6:00 rolls around that we are often scrambling at what to make. 🙂
Haelena says
You are one of the few bloggers that posts so early in the morning and I love it! Your blog is a great way to start my day with its silly humor, cute Sadie moments, and pleasing writing style! I’ve been a reader for a few years now and your blog NEVER fails to impress, especially with content variety. Thanks for making PB Fingers awesome 🙂
Julie says
Thank you so, so much for this sweet comment!! I really appreciate it. <3 And thanks for reading!!!
Amy Evans says
I don’t know what I would do without my crock pot, it makes dinner happen on most nights of the week! Great circuit! I struggle with fitting strength training in so I love that this is only 15 minutes 🙂 Have a great Tuesday!
Angela @ HonestlyAngela says
I live pentatonix – i should check out their Christmas album. Those chest to floor push ups sound killer!
Bethany Imondi says
Love this new circuit! I had been using your other arms and abs workout for a while and was looking to mix it up, and now I have another option!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
I think I’ll have to try that ranchero chicken! YUM 🙂
theannamatedlife says
Great workout! Good way to start the day, thanks!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I was eyeing that Crock Pot Ranchero Chicken on Kristen’s blog the other day too. Glad to hear it was such a hit in your house! We’ll have to try it out!
Love your Starbucks tumbler! Cute!
Kate @KateMovingForward says
Workout looks great! Perfect for a quickie naptime workout for this busy mama! Thanks!
Nikki @ willrunforpizza says
I love PTX too! They are on my running playlist. Love their christmas cd! I really should utilize my crockpot more. I don’t know why I don’t b/c with working 2 jobs, it would come in handy!
Ellen says
That chicken was already on the menu for tonight, so it’s great to hear that it’s as delicious as it looks! I’m excited. And I love Pentatonix! SO talented.
Carrie says
Dang I still wish I had a crock pot!!! So many recipes and so EASY!
Jess says
Pentatonix radio on Pandora is my very favorite!
keen peach says
I don’t know why but these posts about your day are my favorite. 🙂
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
I just bought my husband PTX tickets for a Christmas gift! I’m so excited! That Christmas album is played on constant repeat in our house!
Julie says
JEALOUS!!!
Nicole @ Runs & WODs says
Loving the workout as always!!!
Lisa says
Thanks for posting this quick workout! I’m going to be traveling later this week, so this will come in handy!!
Julie says
Hope you’re traveling somewhere fun! Enjoy the workout!! 🙂
Annette Perkins (@FitnessPerks) says
Yes, Pentatonix rocks!
Looks like a fun, quick workout to do during nap time 🙂
Ashley says
your gold nail polish is super cute! love it!
Julie says
thanks, ashley!
Dana | fresh simple five says
Love the workout! I think it will pair nicely after a run and perfect that it can be done anywhere.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Great workout, and you know I NEVER do those kinds of push-ups, so I should probably add them to my routine. I taught an early morning class today too and listened to Pentatonix on the way home. 🙂
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts says
I love the Pentatonix!! We’re singing their song Carol Of The Bells in my school choir right now for Christmas and I just love it so much (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8). Their talent always amazes me 🙂
Catherine Cormier says
I love that you included chest to floor push ups in this workout … they’re killer but so effective. We love our crockpot during the weekdays as well 🙂 Here is a crockpot recipe I tried yesterday and it was a big hit in our house – http://www.chef-in-training.com/2013/07/slow-cooker-greek-chicken/.
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse says
Totally just did this workout! Thanks Julie 🙂 I think your dinner actually looks super yummy!
livitant says
I love a cappella music!! I have to check out that CD
Alex @ get big, go to work says
I’m loving crockpot meals for quick and easy dinners! It’s nice to come home from a long day sometimes and not worry about cooking. Definitely need to try this recipe. Love chest to floor push-ups! It’s such a great way to add variety to a workout and really focus on the eccentric movement for the muscle. We tend to go through that motion the quickest because it’s really where we feel the burn!
Amanda says
I always seem to neglect the arms, thanks for the awesome workout! Have an amazing day!
Kate says
WOW! I am totally making this for dinner this weekend! Thanks for sharing Julie
Amy M4gic says
Thanks for the bodyweight circuit inspiration! Exactly what I needed, having just gotten home from a failed gym mission (closed due to power outage!). 🙂
Bethany says
I always neglect arms and focus on legs/butt – but thanks for the extra push to do arms!!
Katie says
Off topic, but was curious if you planned on doing any book reviews again soon? I always really liked that feature as a way to find some good reads. Lately I’ve been hooked on a podcast called Serial (So addicting if you haven’t heard of it, its about a murder investigation) anyway, it ends tomorrow and I’m itching to find a good read! thank you!
Kelly Runs for Food says
Considering I’ve failed both attempts to make it to the gym so far this week, I need that workout in my life now! I may be doing that before dinner tonight, so thanks for sharing!
Nicole @ Squash on Squash says
Thanks for the workout! I’ve got a knee injury, which means lower body lifting is kinda off the table right now sadly. I can still do all types of cardio and sports, but it makes going to the gym to lift much less motivating, since I can only do upper body weights. This is the perfect workout for when I’m at home and don’t feel like going all the way to the gym! 🙂
EmilyAnne says
I love A Capella music. Thank you so much for the workout. Always looking for something different. http://www.eatallovertheworld.weebly.com
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says
I’ve never done chest to floor pushups. Are there easier than regular pushup?
Tricia @ A Couple of Dashes says
You’re quite the busy bee these days! Sounds like you’ve been logging a lot of hours working at the gym since you got hired!
Mary @ Gold Layer Cake says
What nail polish are you using! I’m looking for a good gold color.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I love quick workouts like this. Thanks for sharing it!