Yoga Vs Sleep (Plus Bonus Ice Cream Recipe)

I haven't done much yoga this week because my body seems to want the extra sleep instead. I'm ok with that :) I do wonder if this is why I've felt so lethargic and moody all week. But who am I to argue when I my body wants me to sleep until 6 am instead =P Since I have a race this Saturday, I'm letting it get away with it for now.

I do want to start a core/strength routine again this summer, but I think I'm still in a bit of recovery from all the racing. I still have 3 races left - 10K this weekend, 12K on 4/21 and 5K on 4/28 - so I'll make this the focus in May. It will be a great way to prepare for the beginning of next season that starts June 9. Well, I'll try to get a routine established by then, but I'll try to start toying with it a little next week. Maybe I should do the plank-a-day challenge again to get in the mindset. 

And now for something completely different ... 

I've taken our homemade ice cream making to a new level with homemade mix-ins! It's so much fun watching the toppings swirl around the ice cream in the machine. Now I can just scoop and eat! :) 

Here's the recipe for what I made tonight: 

Coconut/Cinnamon/Honey Ice Cream 


ingredients:

• 2 cups half and half
• 1/3 c honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp coconut extract
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

toppings:

• homemade chocolate chips (make bars and cut them up into tiny pieces)
• homemade granola (we save the leftover crumbs from every batch to use as ice cream toppings)

directions:

• Stir the cinnamon into the honey; this will make it easier to mix with the half and half or else it will just want to float. 
• Pour in the half and half and stir until the honey dissolves completely. 
• Pour the extracts and combine well. 
• Place in the freezer to chill for a few minutes (10-15, but set a timer so you don't forget). 
• Pour into your ice cream machine per it's instructions. 
• Once the ice cream starts to solidify a bit, after 15-20 minutes, pour in the toppings a little bit at a time to give them a chance to get mixed around in the ice cream. I sometimes take a spatula and help it along to ensure even distribution. 
• Let the machine run for another 5-10 minutes until you get the desired ice cream consistency. 
• My ice cream is always a little on the softer side, but it firms up nicely after I put it in the freezer for a bit or you can eat right away too! 
• Yummy! Enjoy!

modifications:

• vegan: sub coconut milk & coconut cream instead of half and half; sub honey with agave or maple syrup. It may freeze a little harder because of the lower fat content, but just a few minutes outside the freezer sbhould thaw it enough to be spreadable. 
• different flavors: use your favorite extracts and toppings, keeping all other ingredients the same, for endless combinations of flavors. Experiment!