This month, since it is the start of summer and things are getting hot, I am keeping things simple. What does hot have to do with that? Well, sweating of course! I mean San Antonio hits 100 almost every day from now until late September, and the last thing I want to do is sweat more than necessary – because, let’s face it, you walk outside and you need to have another shower. So how are we combating the sweat you ask? By having the Challenge be all-things Pilates and the Workouts being Pilates DVDs and walking tapes. Here is the June Challenge & Chai Protein Balls.

So, thankfully the nightly DVD workouts are working for me and I am getting my move on. I say thankfully because it was getting to the point of ridiculous with how little I was really moving. And depressing thinking of how much I was doing at the gym two months ago (and not caring about sweating), and how great my muscles were! But, no complaining. Do this and don’t worry about the past! This months workouts are revolving around the walking DVD which I can put into my laptop and follow along with while watching either TV or something taped. I can also do my fave Pilates DVD that way to because I have it almost memorized! So that is this month – walking and Pilates! I don’t have cable so I am either at the mercy of the TV Gods and what they decide to show that is interesting, or watch series DVDs that I own, or my Netflix. Netflix usually wins since nothing is ever good on TV at 5:30pm and I have watched my series DVDs about 5-6 times through and they are getting boring. Right now I am Netflixing DVDs (since I don’t have good internet) and am watching season two of Homeland and the oldy but goody ER. But since I am just doing a couple workout DVDs I didn’t create a workout schedule. Just going to hold myself accountable. Eeek!

For the June Challenge it is all about Pilates moves. There are some that are super-hard and some that are about getting movement and stretch. Those are the ones for this month, and they are all floor exercises which I love. Two of the moves will be progressive like the other months, meaning we will start with love repetitions then progress to more as the month goes along. The first move – the Reverse Plank with Leg Pull – is hard! I have done this move before at the gym doing a Pilates class years ago and I can still remember how much pain my arms were in the next day! With your hands turned the opposite of normal it puts extra pressure on your upper arms. The second progressive move – The Scissors – may look easy, but not everyone can get their feet over their heads and then kick their legs around. The other move – The Saw – is easy, but works the core in a different way than normal core moves. It is like doing a swan dive back and forth to touch your toes.

The Saw

Reverse Plank / Leg Pull

Scissors

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Now for the protein bites to fuel you along in whatever you have going on. Keeping it natural with dates, which I bought in bulk since it was cheaper than spending the $8 on a whole package when I didn’t need that many right now. Also got organic dried raisins with no added sugar, in bulk. Going to add some oats and chopped hazelnuts. I reconstituted the dates overnight. Just drain them then take the skins off and squeeze out the pits. Add dates to food processor with the hazelnuts and process until smooth. Add half the oats and process, then add two tablespoons water to get it sticky then take out and add the raisins and rest of the oats. Use your hands to squish it all together. Be sure before sticking your hands into the mess to have a plate or tray handy to lay the bites out on to put in fridge. Form into balls, bars, or bites and lay on plate or tray. Refrigerate a few hours or overnight to firm up. Store in plastic container or ziplock bag to keep fresh.

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Chai Protein Bites

7 Dates, reconstituted
1 C Oats
1/2 C Hazelnuts, chopped
2 Tbsp Water
1/2 C Organic Dried Raisins

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1. Soak dates and cherries overnight.
2. Drain and take skins off and pits out of dates.
3. Add dates and hazelnuts to food processor and pulse until crumbly.
4. Add 1/2 cup oats to process and mix. Add water and pulse.
5. Pour mixture into a bowl and add raisins and rest of oats.
6. Lay plate, tray or platter out.
7. Using your hands, mix until well combined.
8. Form dough into bite sized balls or bars.
9. Refrigerate a few hours or overnight to firm up.
10. Enjoy!