I have to admit, I deviated a little from the breakfast I shared last night. I did go with the smoothie to go, but I was so in the mood for some yogurt, berries and an English muffin this morning, I had to go with my gut.

I haven’t purchased Thomas’ English Muffins lately because I prefer the Fiber Multi-grain, which cost over $4! But when I saw they were on special, buy one get one free, I totally took the store up on their offer. There is something about the crunchy edges but doughy middle that is just delicious. Perfect conduit for yogurt and berries!

When I woke up at 4:15 I grabbed half a plain muffin and a handful of berries to get me through my walk. Today was an interval day so I alternated inclines and speeds doing a little over 4 miles in 53 minutes. Awesome way to start my first day back!

I was actually ready a little early today so my English muffin craving was totally doable! I popped my muffin in the toaster, topped it with some Plain Oikos, a bunch of strawberries, a smidge of maple syrup and I was happy as a clam.

On my way out the door I grabbed my shake:

• Banana
• Scoop of Chocolate Sunwarrior
• 2/3 Cup Almond Breeze
• 2 Tbsp PB2
• Lots of Ice!

It was an awesome blend to round out the morning.

As much as my tummy enjoyed these things, it was also hungry around 10:30 and lunch was still over an hour away. Because we were in meetings there was no time for snacks so I will have to remember to either a) eat a heartier breakfast b) make a larger shake so it lasts a little longer.

Lunch consisted of one of my favorites! Jennie-O All Natural Roast Turkey, a BIG spoonful of Tribe 40 Spices Hummus, Chopped tomatoes, arugula and some other greens with a syrupy balsamic vinegar. On the side I had half a Jazz Apple (the best apples ever!) a delicious black cherry Chobani and a Mojo Peanut Butter Pretzel. It was a super satisfying midday meal…I was definitely recharged to organize the classroom for the afternoon.

After school I had to head pretty much straight to the pool, but I had time to stop at home for a quick snack of:

• ½ Cup mixed cereal (Kashi Go Lean Crunch, Cheerios Crunch, Fiber One Honey Clusters)
• Handful of strawberries
• A spoonful of Plain Oikos
• ½ cup Good Belly Probiotics Blueberry Acai

I have to say, I have never tried any specific Probiotic drinks because yogurt is a staple in my diet, BUT I spoke with the rep. for Good Belly and she asked if I would want to try the 12 Day Challenge. Everyday I am supposed to drink (or put over a yogurty, cereal mess) some of the Good Belly Product and see how I feel. It has only been a few days, but I have to say the stuff tastes pretty yummy, and it is helping my digestion. So if you are in the market for something like this, give it a try. My next use will probably be in a smoothie because I got all different flavors…strawberry Good Belly with a peanut butter smoothie? PBJ in a bowl? YES PLEASE.

I knew I wouldn’t have much time before work round 2, so last night I put some spinach and cut zucchini (that came from my grandfather-in-laws garden!) into a Tupperware and heated up Kashi Pasta Pesto Primavera to throw over top. Of course I needed a little sweet on the side so I picked out a Corazonas Oatmeal Square Chocolate Chip. I haven’t tried these yet but the company was awesome at sending me a nice box of goodies to taste. It kind of reminded me of an oatmeal cookie, which I suppose is the idea. I am a huge texture person and I love things that are chewy (like a Clif Bar!) which is exactly how the Corazonas bar was. It was a great way to end my meal, but I think next time I want to warm it up! Cookies are always better when they are warm, don’t you think?

Im writing this before my nighttime snack, so unfortunately I am not documenting my pre-bed mini-meal, but I am guessing it will be another smoothie in a bowl and maybe another Mojo Bar. I seriously can’t get enough lately!

Whew, sorry about the long re-cap…I didn’t realize how much it would take to describe my eats! Anyway, I will make this brief, but as you know today was my first day back at school. It was so wonderful to see everyone and get dressed in clothes other than yoga pants, tank tops, or pool attire. But as I was sitting there, listening to the administrators pump us up for the new year and go over the standard guidelines, I couldn’t help but think about going back to school myself.

When I used to consider furthering my education I thought I would advance my degree in history. I personally believe historical architecture is fascinating and there are some wonderful programs about the preservation of old buildings, monuments and artifacts, that had once appealed to me. But as I was sitting there, listening to the schpeal about being an educator, helping kids, yada yada, the idea of being a guidance counselor popped into my head.

I think I would really like to be on a more personal level with students, at the high school level, trying to shape their futures in a more positive direction. I guess in theory I try my best to do that now, but it feels different for some reason. Does this sound silly? Maybe a little naïve or optimistic? I know there were people who helped me in those crucial years, so why not pay it forward?? I know I love my students, and I enjoy helping people so it made sense why I would be interested in the counseling field. What do you guys think??

Did you have any special mentors when you were a teenager?

Do you think guidance counselors have an impact on our youth?

Although I am definitely an early to bed early to rise girl naturally, its been a while since my body has woken up at 4:30 and been ready to start the day. I know tomorrow wont be a problem, primarily because I will be running on excitement, but we’ll see how I feel tomorrow night at 7:30 when I get home from work at school, and then the late shift at the pool.

4:30 maybe seem early but I have a pretty standard “get-ready for school” routine that has worked really well for the last year. I always pack my lunch the night before to save a bit of time, but as soon as I get out of bed I like to exercise. If I waited until I got home there is no way I would be motivated to do much of anything, and taking a nice brisk walk does help me wake up a bit. Then I go directly to the shower, apply make-up, blow dry and get dressed. As soon as I finish, I head downstairs, flip on the news, make my coffee, prepare breakfast, eat, pack my bag and head out the door.

I have always believed in a leisurely breakfast because I enjoy food other than cereal and I like taking my time, drinking my coffee and catching up on world events, but I think I am going to try something new tomorrow, which is COMPLETELY unlike me.

You see I am a creature of habit. I don’t do well with change and I certainly do not alter my scheduled routines for fear that something will go wrong, BUT, there is a big part of me that thinks my rigidity needs to take a serious chill pill. Because I am so strict with time frames and customs, I often have difficulty adjusting when things aren’t going perfectly. This is a terrible attribute because in life, things do not always go as planned. Flexibility and adaptation are necessary components to sane survival and I don’t have either one of those qualities.

Tomorrow will be a test. My plan is to work-out and follow the same pattern of physically getting ready, but I am going to try to make a quicker on-the-go breakfast to prepare for situations like oversleeping, when the dogs refuse to come in the house for half an hour, having to help my sister with some things she needs right now, etc. And since I have become obsessed with smoothies lately, what better time than now to have a shake-and-take kind of morning!? I even lined up the ingredients next to my blender so I am all ready to go!

In the mix:

• Large Scoop of Chocolate Sunwarrior
• Frozen Banana
• Frozen Strawberries
• 2/3 Cup Almond Breeze
• 1 TBS Almond Butter
• Ice, Ice, Baby

Packed on the side some of my new Warrior Crunch Granola for the extra strength to get through my first day!

Sounds like a pretty awesome breakfast to me, and if it doesn’t work out, there is always Thursday

What are your morning routines?

Do you follow the same patterns or is there some differences?

Do you have a go-to breakfast?

This recipe can make TWO servings; the ingredients vary depending on the taste you desire! This smoothie is NOT Vegan-friendly (sorry), but it still makes a wonderful breakfast, dessert or meal replacement! It is a great energy boost to prepare you for a workout…TRUST ME!

Ingredients:

2 Organic Bananas (diced) (200 calories)

1/2 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk (20 calories!)

1 heaping scoop of Pineapple Coconut Haagen-Dazs ice cream (210 calories)

2 Tablespoons (give or take) of Pineapple Chobani Greek Yogurt (40 calories)

2/3 packet of unsweetened Spiru-Tein ‘Simply Natural Banana’ Soy Protein Powder (60 calories)

1 handful of small ice cubes or 3/4 cup of crushed ice

Total: 530 Calories (in 2 servings)

One serving is 265 calories. Not too bad for a protein shake!

Mix all ingredients in blender, pulse until all is blended well. Enjoy!

(All photography posted in this blog is provided by moi, a.k.a., DarkAlchemyStudios)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I am working on getting cameras and lighting set up, as well as a team (most likely my film-savvy beau, Dane, and my genius friend, Evan) to help me begin my health, fitness and ‘helpful lifestyle tips’ videos! I can’t wait to start! I will also be turning this blog into my official website, with a new web layout, when I get the funds together in the weeks to come! I’ll keep you updated!

Stay healthy,

Caitlin.

All of my college friends graduated and moved away, and most of my high school group no longer lives in the area, so in the last few years I have found it difficult to connect with many people my age. I did things a little differently than many in their early twenties, getting married and purchasing a home by 21; two things I am very proud of but, because of these two things I call myself an “in-between.”

Ryan will be 30 next year and most of his guy friends are not married, and those who are, have kids. The bachelors of the group LOVE to go out. They are a whole lot of fun, and I enjoy going to clubs to dance, but my body does not function well on no sleep, and I don’t really drink so it is hard for me to keep up…I swear sometimes I am 24 going on 60! The rest of the fellas, who have babies and strollers and big SUV’s, don’t really have time to spend with us as a couple, or they are making new companions with other kid families.

I don’t think I am a boring person by any means. I have a ton of interests, and plenty to do so it’s not like I am sitting her twiddling my thumbs and drowning in my own sorrows, but it just means I am anxious, in a good way for the weekend! It will be the first time I will be surrounded by 200 other people who have similar interests, goals, and beliefs.

I posted a long time ago, on how this feels like kindergarten because its unknown territory, excited nerves, and planning (I think I tried on 6 dresses for the gosh darn cocktail party!). I feel so fortunate to be going and after reading Hangry Pants entry and suggestions, I feel totally ready! So if you are attending HLS, I will be the girl with a pink notebook (yes, I am an old school note taker), a smile, and a two letter name! I can’t wait to meet you all J

But on another note, since I am leaving tomorrow, a day early to take my husband to a Phils game.  So that means, because I absolutely HATE wasting food, that it was a “use whatever is in the fridge” dinner night! And actually, it turned out fantastic!

In the mix:

• Approximately 2-3 oz ground free range bison
• Zucchini
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Red Peppers
• CRUSHED RED PEPPER (lots and lot and lots!)
• Just a tiny bit of tomato sauce
• Grated 75% Cabot Cheese

You have seen similar meals on here before because I happen to love tomato based things, but the star of this meal was the bison! Have you ever had bison? It is super lean, and has a different flavor than beef, but is rich and delicious. I bought a pound awhile back at a farmers market and froze it into little baggies to make burgers. I fully intended on making burgers at some point this week but then my mom came home and we all ate together leaving the poor thawed meat neglected in the fridge.

I highly recommend if you like lean beef to try some bison because it has similar nutritional stats and really does add a lot of flavor to a dish!

And of course I paired this with some nice crusty bread for dipping!  But dessert was also something to rave about! 

Tonight I tried a chocolate Heart Thrive energy bar. I saw them on Tessa’s blog a few weeks ago and thought they looked awesome! After researching them on the web I was really impressed with their nutritional profile, as well, and the fact that they came in a ton of different flavors! I like to call these whole food based products, “feel good goodies,” and the Heart Thrive Bar certainly lived up to that. It was super chewy and moist, almost like a Clif Bar, or dense cookie, which is my personal preference so I was more than satisfied after consumption (especially with the Vanilla Almond Milk that we perfect for a dunk or two!). If you are looking for something new, that is vegan, wheat and dairy free, this is a great choice, and I will definitely be having the second serving in the future.

And now I am procrastinating, writing and reading a ton of blogs, and answering e-mails when I really should be packing.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday night!

Any new products to recommend? Lately I have been loving to try new things J

All of my college friends graduated and moved away, and most of my high school group no longer lives in the area, so in the last few years I have found it difficult to connect with many people my age. I did things a little differently than many in their early twenties, getting married and purchasing a home by 21; two things I am very proud of but, because of these two things I call myself an “in-between.”

Ryan will be 30 next year and most of his guy friends are not married, and those who are, have kids. The bachelors of the group LOVE to go out. They are a whole lot of fun, and I enjoy going to clubs to dance, but my body does not function well on no sleep, and I don’t really drink so it is hard for me to keep up…I swear sometimes I am 24 going on 60! The rest of the fellas, who have babies and strollers and big SUV’s, don’t really have time to spend with us as a couple, or they are making new companions with other kid families.

I don’t think I am a boring person by any means. I have a ton of interests, and plenty to do so it’s not like I am sitting her twiddling my thumbs and drowning in my own sorrows, but it just means I am anxious, in a good way for the weekend! It will be the first time I will be surrounded by 200 other people who have similar interests, goals, and beliefs.

I posted a long time ago, on how this feels like kindergarten because its unknown territory, excited nerves, and planning (I think I tried on 6 dresses for the gosh darn cocktail party!). I feel so fortunate to be going and after reading Hangry Pants entry and suggestions, I feel totally ready! So if you are attending HLS, I will be the girl with a pink notebook (yes, I am an old school note taker), a smile, and a two letter name! I can’t wait to meet you all J

But on another note, since I am leaving tomorrow, a day early to take my husband to a Phils game.  So that means, because I absolutely HATE wasting food, that it was a “use whatever is in the fridge” dinner night! And actually, it turned out fantastic!

In the mix:

• Approximately 2-3 oz ground free range bison
• Zucchini
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Red Peppers
• CRUSHED RED PEPPER (lots and lot and lots!)
• Just a tiny bit of tomato sauce
• Grated 75% Cabot Cheese

You have seen similar meals on here before because I happen to love tomato based things, but the star of this meal was the bison! Have you ever had bison? It is super lean, and has a different flavor than beef, but is rich and delicious. I bought a pound awhile back at a farmers market and froze it into little baggies to make burgers. I fully intended on making burgers at some point this week but then my mom came home and we all ate together leaving the poor thawed meat neglected in the fridge.

I highly recommend if you like lean beef to try some bison because it has similar nutritional stats and really does add a lot of flavor to a dish!

And of course I paired this with some nice crusty bread for dipping!  But dessert was also something to rave about! 

Tonight I tried a chocolate Heart Thrive energy bar. I saw them on Tessa’s blog a few weeks ago and thought they looked awesome! After researching them on the web I was really impressed with their nutritional profile, as well, and the fact that they came in a ton of different flavors! I like to call these whole food based products, “feel good goodies,” and the Heart Thrive Bar certainly lived up to that. It was super chewy and moist, almost like a Clif Bar, or dense cookie, which is my personal preference so I was more than satisfied after consumption (especially with the Vanilla Almond Milk that we perfect for a dunk or two!). If you are looking for something new, that is vegan, wheat and dairy free, this is a great choice, and I will definitely be having the second serving in the future.

And now I am procrastinating, writing and reading a ton of blogs, and answering e-mails when I really should be packing.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday night!

Any new products to recommend? Lately I have been loving to try new things J

And since it was just around lunch time I decided to incorporate my new goodies into my meal. I threw together a nice salad topped with Tribe’s 40 Spices Hummus and some diced turkey, splashed with TJ’s White Balsamic, and then whipped out the blender to make a “Funky Monkey.” Ok, that isn’t really what it is called but I like the name and it kind of fits with the ingredients!

Get Out of the Monday Funk-y Monkey?

• 1 Packet (21 Grams) of Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Chocolate Protein Powder
• 2/3 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 Tablespoon of PB 2
• 1 Frozen Banana
• Handful of Ice Cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and fire it up!

Voila!

Deliciousness in a bowl J

*On a side note I have to say, this is the first time I ever tried Sun Warrior powder and I will definitely be buying some of the chocolate, asap! I have tried other protein powders before and none contribute to thickness of my shakes or accentuate the flavor.

Now I personally like a super thick shake so I don’t add a lot of milk to begin but, I was even more excited to see that xanathan gum was an ingredient (one of the very few might I add) and Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers told me the other day this works as a great thickening agent…

She was absolutely right! You can probably tell by the photo that this was one of the creamiest smoothies I have ever made, and am already anticipating making one for breakfast tomorrow! So if you are in the market for a product like this, you might want to check it out. It can be ordered online here.

And since I am a girl who loves her carbohydrates, the perfect accompaniment to my smoothie was Almond Flax Oaties…

Now what are Almond Flax Oaties? I was actually going to post this recipe later today but I figure since they were my little side snack, there is no better time than the present!

* 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1/3 cups agave nectar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 tsp vanilla
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/2 cup oatmeal (Quaker Quick Oats worked just fine J )
* 2/3 cup ground flax
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp baking soda
* 3/4 cup Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Almonds smashed in a baggie
-You could also add chocolate chips, other nuts, or dried fruit if you liked, as well

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Mix applesauce, agave, vanilla and egg together in one bowl.

In another bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, flax, salt, baking powder and soda.

Stir into the wet ingredients and mix until blended

Smash those almonds in a baggie! I liked to do it with my meat tenderizer but obviously any way the nuts get smashed, is perfectly ok J

Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes.

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!

Makes about 24 Oaties

Do not expect these to be like decadent Starbucks cookies by any means. They are more like little granola bites that are perfect for topping OIAJ or yogurt. They are not super sweet, but rather dense and chewy and pretty darn healthy! Absolutely something you can feel good about putting into your body!

Enjoy the rest of your Monday!

What is your favorite smoothie??

These are things I could not survive without! Well, survive fit, anyway.

1. Ezekiel Bread

Low in calories and high in fiber, this gluten-free bread will keep you feeling satisfied during any meal of the day, particularly breakfast and lunch. It’s perfect for toast, sandwiches, and even crumbled up in a bowl of tomato soup (my personal favorite). It is low on the Glycemic index, so it will not affect your blood sugar, and it’s only 80 calories a slice!

2. Organic Honey Nut O’s

There is now a wide selection of delicious Organic cereals out there on the market, but I can’t help but always grab a box of Honey Nut O’s whilst on my shopping spree at the grocery store. Usually only 120 calories a serving (depending on the brand), it barely adds to your daily intake of sugar and also gives you a decent amount of fiber as well. Paired with sliced bananas, diced strawberries or a handful of blueberries, it can be the perfect breakfast for your lifestyle change.

3. Organic Gala Apples

Containing between 50-60 calories, depending on the size, Organic gala apples are the BEST addition to any breakfast,  lunch or snack. High in fiber, nutritious and filling, you can’t go wrong by munching on one. I make sure to have an apple almost every morning with 16. oz of water or a cup of Green Tea. This process does wonders for your GI tract.

4. Coconut Water

The BEST natural source of hydration, Coconut Water restores electrolytes lost during your workout routine and contains more potassium that a banana. Only 40-60 calories a serving, this wonderful beverage is cholesterol free, fat free, and is packed with tons of nutrients. I would suggest drinking coconut water directly after any strenuous workout or to quench your thirst on a hot day. I prefer coconut water to lemonade.

5. Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

Back again to the coconuts, Coconut Oil is an essential supplement in my diet. I use it as a light spread on my toast in the morning. It has amazing healing benefits that I wish the World was more aware of. Coconut Oil contains special fatty acids that help you reduce your weight, as well as antimicrobial lipids (and much more) that make this oil an antiviral and antibacterial super hero! Taken daily, this oil can help ward off colds and influenza, by giving you a stronger and more alert immune system. It is great for fighting heart disease, aiding digestion, and healing bruises. This little wonder is also great for one other important thing–it is my favorite holistic beauty product! I use it weekly on my skin and my hair. Used as a moisturizer and left on overnight, in a couple of weeks, you will see beautiful, glowing and blemish-free skin.

I am living proof!

6. Almond Milk

I am amazed at how wonderful Almond Milk is. I will never go back to using regular milk again. It’s sweet, 100% Vegan-friendly and complements any recipe. I pour it on my cereal and I use it in my risotto recipe. It is delicious, and at only 40 calories a serving, it cannot be beat!

7. Good Earth Lemongrass Green Tea

By now, most of you probably know about the health benefits of Green Tea. It is known to lend a boost to your metabolism and help you on your journey to weight loss. It is full of antioxidants and overall is great for improving your body, your health and your mind. Now, having summed up a few of the benefits, let me rave about my favorite brand. Good Earths’ Lemongrass Green Tea is probably the BEST-tasting Green Tea I have ever come across. It’s not over-powering and it’s not too bland. I drink this tea plain–no sweeteners, no almond milk–and it stands well on its own. I highly suggest that you try it. There is a decaffeinated version, too, which is the one I prefer. Caffeine doesn’t agree with me most of the time, so I’m very happy that this flavor is available in decaf.

8. Clif Bars

Now, I’m not too big on meal-replacement bars or shakes, but when you’re in a hurry and you don’t have time to pack a lunch, grabbing a Clif bar can be very beneficial and convenient. There are no GMOs and they have some Vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. You can do your research here:  http://www.clifbar.com/food/find_compare/. I love these bars because they are just so darn yummy and they will keep you energized and feeling satisfied until dinner time.

9. Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Pizza

I am obsessed with Amy’s No-Cheese Veggie Pizza! When you’re trying to lose weight, especially if you’re following a Vegan plan, pizza is something that is surely missed. If you’re ever hankering for some goodness without the dairy and the calories, Amy’s Veggie Pizza is a great option! This baby only takes about 15-17 minutes to bake in the oven, and it’s ready to eat! It’s great for those nights that you just feel like kicking back and having a quick and easy dinner, one of which is NOT made in the evil microwave! If shared between two people at dinner, your calorie intake will only be about 400 calories (each), depending on how you slice the pizza. ENJOY!

10. So Delicious Dairy Free Ice Cream

This last entry is a gem and is perfect for those with a sweet tooth, like me! So Delicious “ice cream” is Organic and Vegan-friendly. This brand is great because they have a line of soy (“ice cream”), coconut milk ( no sugar added options!) and coconut water (sorbet) desserts. These are all much healthier options than your typical store-bought ice cream. I absolutely love the taste of their desserts. It tastes no different from “the norm” and is a more guilt-free “cheat food” during your weight loss regime.

I hope this blog was helpful to any of those who are searching for simple, healthy and effective additions to their diet plan! All ten of these items have helped me lose weight, and I know they can help you, too!

HEALTH, FOR-THE-WIN!

There are an infinite number of possibilities when it comes to this breakfast (or lunch, or dinner, or snack ) but I decided to combine some of my favorite elements, and suggestions from all the bloggers I love.  In the mix was:

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 jar of water
• 1/4 cup almond breeze unsweetened vanilla
• about a teaspoon of chia seeds (which I think I might double this next time)
• a scoop of oikos 0% plain greek yogurt
• the scrapings of sunflower butter on the sides of the jar (obviously the best part!)
• half a large banana mashed into the mix
• sprinkle of cinnamon

I put this in the refrigerator when I got home from work last night, and it soaked until about 6:00 this morning

Then I added:

• teaspoon of Peanut Butter and Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl
• 1/8 cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch
• little bit more cinnamon

Overall it was super yummy.  A really delicious and easy breakfast I will definitely keep in my back pocket for school mornings when I have a little less time!  There are a few things, however, I think I would do differently…

• Add some more cut fruit in the morning (maybe the other half banana or some sliced strawberries)
• More chias or try ground flax seed meal
• Different types of nut butters (Dark Chocolate Dreams anyone?!)
• More crunch on top!

We all know I am a texture girl so I think some crushed nuts or even more crunchy cereal would make this breakfast even better!  I was actually thinking I can’t wait to add my Warrior Crunch Granola next week after HLS! 

If you haven’t heard about Warrior Crunch visit http://www.nutsaboutgranola.com/.  Order a bag and help the super good cause of cancer research.  The company is out of York, PA (I love supporting local businesses!!) and offers a bunch of granola varieties to order.  If you like granola, appreciate health, and helping people, I feel like this is an easy way to satisfy all three! :-)

I hope you guys have an awesome saturday! 

What are your variations of OIAJ??

Any other fun suggestions for Chia Seeds of Flax Meal?

I really do not think this photo does this salad justice, but I will let the ingredients speak for themselves…

• Large (and I mean LARGE) Shrimp
• Cajun Seasoning
• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• Pitted Cherries
• Greens
• Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger
• Slivered Honey Roasted Almonds (optional)

Ryan and I were both home for lunch today and I really had no idea what I wanted…a normal problem since I am indecisive about almost everything in life, but when I looked in the fridge I noticed some pineapple my mom had left from an earlier visit this week, and a bag of cherries that probably has only a few good days left.  Hmmm…both these things sound good, so how can I put them together to make a satisfying meal?

Quick evaluation…then I remembered I had some Jumbo Shrimp in the freezer my mom had also brought with her (she definitely spoils me when she brings treats from New Jersey ) this week, strawberries and my usual salad mix that is always in the produce drawer.  I had left a comment earlier on Fitopia’s facebook page about how good a shrimp salad looked and I thought the addition of these fruits would be KILLER. 

To balance the sweetness I decided t coat the shrimp in some Cajun Seasoning and put them in a pan.  Plain and simple, Shrimp and Cajun Seasoning in a pan until the shrimp turn pink.

Then I put the greens and cut up fruit in a large Tupperware container and decided I was hungry for Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger dressing.  I drizzled about a tablespoon of the dressing over the fruits and veggies, put the lid on the Tupperware and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!  (This is my secret because an evenly dressed salad tastes way better than one with naked pieces of lettuce.)

I emptied the greens on the plate and nestled the shrimp in the corner (but just for the photo, those things were cut up and into the salad before you knew it!) and dug in! 

Awesome mix of flavors and actually looked kinda nice on the plate.  While I was chowing down Ryan decided that was what he wanted for dinner so instead of making another whole meal for me to take to work, I just made another big batch of Spicy Shrimp Salad!  It tasted just as good a few hours later

Of course I needed a little something after my deliciously healthy lunch so I made a smoothie similar to my one last evening.  This time I used half a pint of Coffee Arctic Zero, Almond Milk, and Ice, blended it well and sprinkled on a teaspoon of PB2 Powdered Chocolate Peanut Butter.  It reminded me of a healthified Malt Sundae! 

*now that I am looking at it, it kind of resembles a Wendy’s Frosty!  What can I say?  I am a girl who likes thick smoothies!  Speaking of which I picked up some Chia Seeds and Xanathan Gum today!!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

What is your favorite summer salad?

Any smoothie recipes to share?

So, the last five days have been amazing! I feel rested, not sore (finally!!! Stupid lunges!) and I less hungry! What a concept! I am still working out every other day (today I rocked Level 3 of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred and did some great ADAPT stretching and foam rolling) to keep burning fat and building lean muscle. I have been using veggies to provide the “bulk” that I am used to and monitoring my fat intake (I love me some nuts and nut butter!!) and varying types of protein.

Breakfast  consisted of the same thing I made for dessert the night before, Chocolatey Almond Butter Dip w/ Cinnamon Apples. It was quite delightful! I paired that with the leftovers from my salad and a cup of coffee. My snack was some almonds (I was running errands and didn’t pack much). Lunch was a veggie saute that was absolutely divine! It had:

1/2 yellow pepper

1/2 zucchini

1/2 tomato

1/2 avocado (added after the saute)

1/3 cup edamame

1/4 cup chopped snap peas

1 tablespoon feta cheese

pepper, salt, rosemary and oregano- oh my! I snapped this before it was gone!!

I just added the chopped veggies into a s saute pan and added a touch of olive oil from my Misto. I cooked it for about 3 minutes on high and then added my cheese and avocado. It was amazing!! I had some hummus on the side to dip my fork in for sort of dressing. Mm good!

Dinner was pretty laid back. I made some turkey rolls with feta and cheddar- oh my! I also had my allotted bites of Food Should Taste Good Multigrain chips. (Which I am totally feeling today….guh). Dessert was where it was at!!!

I mixed Almond Breeze, Truvia and Vanilla in a mug and put it in the freezer, stirring every hour. I blended the icy chunks into a smooth ice cream! It tasted just like the homemade ice cream we used to make when I was a kid!! Add in some fresh blackberries from the back yard and a scoop of almond butter and it was exactly what I wanted!

We strolled around the neighborhood this evening and met several new neighbors and cats. It’s was a beautiful evening with my best friend :0)

Hope your Monday is filled with the simple things.

Kim

I have been pleasantly surprised at how these 11 minutes have been going. Don’t misunderstand me- by the 9^th or 10^th minute I am ready to give up but there is a little voice inside my head that always tells me “you are strong you can keep going for another min, just push yourself” and somehow that voice usually seems to win. I am not going to push myself so far to an injury but I am certainly willing to test my body’s limits in a few ways as long as I stay in a healthy and safe range. I noticed during this run that my legs were dang tired. In my opinion a treadmill run and a run outside are 2 COMPLETELY different workouts and I think I can see that. I don’t know which one I think it harder but the sensation itself is just different.

I realized while I was running that I had really missed my mornings the last few days. It was nice having that time with Tim to well just be with him. I was to out of breath to say much so it was more just being together than anything else. But it was nice to catch up during those walks and to talk about how our days had been and what the rest of the week would bring. I think this run was the first run that I realized if I stopped running I would miss it. I can’t say that I LOVE it yet…. I hope to get there…. But I do think I would miss it!

I got home and headed for the shower to get ready for work. After a very slow moving morning I finally was ready and headed downstairs for some breakfast. I decided to make a banana smoothie this morning so I added 1 frozen banana, some PB2, Almond Breeze Almond Milk, and finally a little extra banana extract for a stronger flavor. I ended up finishing the banana extract so I better head to the store and get Tim some more before he noticed. He loves that stuff!

I captured this smoothie mid-swirl!

and then enjoyed it in a glass from my HS prom

Maybe it was because I hadn’t had a smoothie in a while, or maybe it was because I was just hungry, but man this thing tasted good. I enjoyed it at home while I blogged and watched the today show and eventually decided I should probably get my butt to the office to get some work done!

The first few hours of work went by so far, probably since it was a shorter day for me and I headed to lunch with a few girls from work to catch up! I got the salad bar at the restaurant inside of Buehler’s Grocery Store (not too many choices around work) and made a pretty impressive salad with romaine lettuce, spinach, edamame beans, this delicious salsa instead of dressing, tomatoes, few green olives, peppers, and that might be it? For dessert I enjoyed a small fruit cup! I tried to take it easy on lunch because I was really looking forward to the dinner at my mom and dad’s house tonight!

After work I made the journey to my parent’s house for Rowing/CrossFit class! I cannot even begin to describe to you how much my body needed this workout. I had been running while my mom was gone but the weight lifting was really lacking so I  knew this workout was going to be tough and well it was but I was so worth it. My mom had a nice interval planned for all of us consisted of

• squats w/ ball throws
• sit up’s with the ball, box jumps,
• ball push-ups (omg I am so sore now)
• thrusters, lunges with these bands (what are they called again Mom?)
• rows
• and I think I am missing something that I must have blocked out or something!

It was a hell of a work out. We started the workout with a 15 min row that was pretty competitive because my mom always puts my sister and I together and we just like to have a good time with one another. I just really missed this class! I am going to miss Monday class when I start grad school next month… these women are awesome! Becky was back in class and I just adore Becky so it was nice to see her back in action after a long vacation! Kari was in class and well Kari just inspires me to do my very best and work hard. She is always busting her butt and honestly it makes me want to work harder so I love being in class with her! And of course it was just nice to be with my sister again… it had been a while since we worked out together! I think working out with family and friends in the way to go. It challenges you to do more, to do better, yet it gives you this sense of comfort because you don’t need to care about what you look like or how stupid you look trying something new! Everyone truly supports one another and is like a little workout family and I don’t think I truly realized how great that really is until I was without it for a few days!

Since Britt was there to work out that meant I also got to squeeze my little peanut! Every time I see Peyton I swear she gets bigger and talks a little more. She is the love of our lives, yes I can speak on behalf of the entire family. She has this belly laugh that starts going when she thinks something is really fun and I swear that laugh can turn even the worst day into the best day. It is so contagious and when she laughs… you laugh! She seemed pretty excited when she realized that Uncle Timmy walked in the door after class! He was joining us for dinner and hadn’t seen her in a while so I loved watching her run up to him for hugs and kisses. Such a great feeling for me to know that the man I love is so good with the little girl that means the world to me.

She's adorable right?

Dinner was delicious!

ummm topping for a princess!

Topped with cooked mushrooms!

For dinner my mom slaved over the grill to make us these delicious Bison Burgers…. Soo good!  I added some guacamole on the top of mine, which I think, really topped this burger off. On the side we enjoyed some cooked spinach, which is one of my favorite side dishes. We spent the next few hours talking about the wedding (post to come!) and drinking wine then moving on to champagne when we were done with that. It was really nice to see my parents after their week long trip to Mexico. Looks like they had a hell of a time though! And my mom was so freaking tan- I was jealous!

29 years of marriage and they still look GREAT

They had a great time!

Thanks, The Unextreme Couponer!

And once again the interval timer on Tim’s phone acted up. However, instead of acting up so that we end up walking more it acted up so that we ended up running more. I suppose that is just payback for yesterday. I believe Tim was tired when he woke up but he could have fooled me during the run. See, we live in the same neighborhood where he grew up (and where his mom currently lives) so he knows a lot of people around. Plus, the entire area is full of little neighborhoods that you can walk to so I can imagine they had a pretty big group of friends that they all saw a lot so our run this morning was more of a tour than a run. Somehow someway Tim can manage to talk while he runs so he gave me the whole tour of who lives where, what friends he had in the area, what house burnt down once or twice (he couldn’t remember!), and which house goes up for sale every 2 year. He also added in some colorful commentary on which houses he loves and hated! This made the run go by pretty fast and I enjoyed hearing all of his childhood stories. Something to note… running with someone else is almost always easier! They keep you motivated and you keep them motivated. It’s like a healthy competition because it is completely unspoken but trust me… it’s there! Tomorrow I need to remember to take a puff of my new inhaler the allergist gave me (exercise induced asthma just stinks) so I can contribute more to the conversation without feeling like I am going to die.

For breakfast I made a smoothie but to be perfectly honest it tasted terrible. This time I decided on a frozen banana, strawberries, PB2, and Almond Breeze Vanilla Almond Milk. Now I am not sure if it was the frozen banana or the strawberries or the milk or that matter but something was not right and the smoothie tasted a bit sour so I ended up having to toss it out. Lucky for me I also brought a nectarine to work today to snack on… Unlucky for me that also tasted horrible. Either my taste buds were really off or I was having some serious bad luck with fruit! However the PB2 was and always is delicious. This stuff if Powdered Peanut Butter that my friend Mary (over at Fervent Foodie) turned me on to. It has about half the fat of regular peanut butter and a very impressive shelf life! It literally is just powdered and then mixed with water turns in to peanut butter. Now, I don’t use it as my normal peanut butter because I still like the taste of regular however I put it in my smoothies and other desserts that call for peanut butter because it taste great and is much better for you. I would highly recommend giving it a try. I had to purchase it online- I have no idea if they carry it in stores or what stores they would carry it in. I bet their website can provide even more insight than I can. I simply can just tell you that I like it! I also have a chocolate peanut butter one that I love to use in strawberry smoothies!

Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Powdered Peanut Butter

Work went as to be expected and I ended up getting a fun task at the end of the day that allowed me to put on my sales thinking cap… it’s always nice to go back to the things you were good at in your prior life (yes Boston was pretty much an entirely different life)! In any case my lunch was another group lunch because we were celebrating a few people’s successes as they moved on to other departments. It was more “buffet” style and nothing totally moved me but I got a small side salad, a large heaping of peas and carrots, and 1 breaded chicken finger and 3 grilled chicken fingers. Those breaded chicken fingers are delicious but I know how bad they are for you so I only got one that way I got the delicious taste but didn’t load up on the nasty. There were cupcakes as well and Jaclyn was kind enough to give me a bite of hers! It was pretty good- but just wasn’t worth it to me so I stopped at a bite. After that one bite I ended having a sweet tooth the rest of the afternoon! A york peppermint paddy held me over though until it was time to head home.

I got home a little later than usual due to my fun project at work so I wasn’t going to make it to my soccer game in time and a 35 min drive seemed like a very daunting task after a long day at work so I stayed home to hang with Tim. We spent most of the evening talking about weddings and found a NOW resort called NOW Laminar located in the Dominican Republic that we really like. Has anyone ever been to a NOW resort or know anything about them? They have a pretty easy to understand wedding package too- so that was an added bonus PLUS the prices are very reasonable… really a bonus!

For dinner we worked together to create the wonderful masterpiece you can see below.

Mine was the little one in the back!

I don't wanna brag but I make a heck of a salad

Tada! The final prodcuct

Tim marinated the grilled the chicken and I made the salad and cut up the veggies for him to add to the grill. The veggies were fresh from Tim’s manager’s garden! The zucchini was like the size of my head- seriously huge! Then we spent the rest of the night doing more wedding research and eventually headed off to bed! Not a very exciting day but another good day!

While I’m a Whole Foods girl through and through, my boyfriend is a Trader Joe’s fan (he’s also a P.C.). As a result, my trips to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have balanced out (don’t worry, I still won’t touch his Dell) and I’ve discovered some favorite things of my own at the Trader Joe’s on 6th Avenue.

Moral Fiber Bran Muffins- Even when I did the bulk of my food shopping at Whole Foods and there wasn’t a Trader Joe’s around the block from me, I would make a trip down to the Union Square location at least once a week simply to get these muffins. They’re huge and filling and come four to a pack for less than 5 dollars. At 240 calories each, (did I mention they’re massive?) they make for a great breakfast or even dessert if you’re like me and don’t consider a meal complete unless there’s something sweet at the end. If you do get hooked on them for breakfast and you’re afraid of getting bored, have no fear, they come in two varieties; blueberry which are sweeter and more subtle and cranberry orange which are a tangy mouth-trip. They’re naturally a little gooey (in a good way) so jam and Earth Balance aren’t necessary but they do pair great with O.J. or a cup of tea. *Tip: Since they’re so moist and all-organic, they will mold within a couple days, but if you stick them in the fridge, they’ll last a week.

Pre-made Veggie Wrap with Hummus- About a week ago, my boyfriend was cooking up something non-vegan and invited me to come eat on his balcony with him. I debated getting something to cook myself and then thought better of swooshing around the kitchen while my boyfriend was doing the same. I didn’t want anything that needed to be heated since it was so warm out so I wandered over to the back of the store where the salsa and hummus are. In the left corner, (where I usually don’t go because I thought there was only sushi over there) there is a variety of pre-made wraps and sandwiches. Most contain meat but this one only has cabbage, carrots, hummus, and some other raw veggies. The package, for about 4 dollars comes with two medium-sized wraps that could easily serve for two lunches or an entire dinner. I’ve gotten them 3 times since, because they don’t need to be heated, they’re transportable, and not that expensive if you consider what you would pay at a deli for the same. Each wrap is stuffed with perfectly seasoned hummus (spread evenly throughout) and fresh, crunchy veggies. I have found a new picnic companion!

Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (Gallon)- I have been drinking Almond Breeze since I was 16. I have tried every other milk substitute and every other brand of almond milk and nothing stood up to Almond Breeze’s flavor and consistency… until now. Recently, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s started making their own cartons of almond milk that came in the half gallon containers that can be left out of the fridge until opened. I tried both and immediately returned to buying Almond Breeze by the gallon, since I go through one about every 3 days. When Trader Joe’s recently introduced the refrigerated gallons, I was skeptical since what was in the cartons was so watery. Still, my friend was raving about it so I figured there was nothing to lose, especially at 2.99 a gallon! Before tainting it with cereal, I sipped some by itself and even the unsweetened version is packed with flavor. Plus, somehow, even with the same nutrition facts, it’s thicker and creamier than Almond Breeze!! I cannot wait to dip a Nana’s cookie into a massive mug of the best almond milk I’ve ever tasted!

It took a while but I can finally admit that I’m in love with Trader Joe’s. Some other highlights are their inexpensive produce, free coffee samples, and cheaper-than-anywhere-else beverages from coconut water to alcoholic drinks. It can get busy but if you go midday during the week or late at night, there’s almost no line and even when the line wraps around the store, it moves quickly. I’d love to hear your favorite finds from Trader Joe’s too!

Run first though. So the run this morning was HOT. Let me just say now, for those of you that live in warmer clients and exercise outside I just don’t know how you do it. I assume if you have lived there a while you are just more used to the heat than we are here in Ohio but oh my gosh was it hot out. Luckily I was mentally prepared for the heat because everyone at work has been talking about this 100+ heat wave we would be having so I was like okay I can deal with this. So after having my Bagel Thin with the almightly tasty MaraNatha chocolate almond butter I was ready for a delicious day. Tim and I headed out (yes he came again) into the heat to complete another 6 min on 1:50 min off interval.

I was feeling pretty rough today and I think I know why. So last night Tim and I went to his mom’s house for dinner and we decided to order Chinese. Well I decided on the chicken lo mein on the condition that Tim should share his szechuan chicken with me. He was kind enough to agree so we got those two items to share. Oh my goodness did that weight me down. I don’t know how but I must have gotten how much sodium is in Chinese food and while it tasted great going down the day it didn’t feel so great moving all around as I ran. Note to self: Chinese food and learning to love to run is NOT a good mix. So I think I can honestly say that every single interval this morning was tough. It was definitely a reminder to me that you are what you eat and that is effects everything you do. I could tell a huge difference in the amount of strength I had to keep moving based on my meal the night before. It’s too bad you can’t just like start over in the morning. I mean mentally I can do that physically I can’t just tell my body to forget what I ate the night before… trust me… it remembers! So run was really rough today and at one point I even contemplated quitting (although I did not say this aloud to Tim). I thought well maybe if I just cut 1 or 2 minutes off the end that would be OK and I wouldn’t have to tell anyone and then I remembered. DUH the whole purposes of having other people read about this journey is so they can go on it with you and therefore I would have to tell you. So whether you know it or not you kept me running this morning! Thanks J

After the run all I could do is sit on the couch. This is not like me at all. The last few days I have been stretching while watching the news or heading up to shower right away. I was so tired I couldn’t do much more than sit there so Tim showered first instead. By 6:40 he reminder me that I still have to be at work at my normal time so it would probably be a good idea to shower. Somehow, someway I got ready in about 35 min and made my way downstairs to one of my most useful appliances… the smoothie master! Okay it is actually just a blender, food processor combination thing but it sounds much better to call it a smoothie master.

Today I decided on the following, 1 frozen banana (yep, figured out how to peel it), Chocolate PB2: Powdered Peanut Butter, Almond Breeze almond milk, protein powder my mom had given me, strawberries, and spinach. It was just delightful!

Look at all that good stuff

You can see that I put about a handful of spinach in there and I promise you that you can’t taste it.

It does give it this funny texture though and if you don’t drink it right away the green color seems to take over and discolors the entire masterpiece a bit. You can see that for now the strawberries own the color in this smoothie so it really depends on what you put in it. If you use blueberries it will be always be blue because the colors of those things are always the winner against the other fruits. Insert mental picture of fruit fighting with some swords here.

Our traveling smoothies

What I love most about this, other than its delicious taste, is how easy it is to travel with and how full it keeps me throughout the day. I usually have some sort of snack, an apple or something, before lunch if I have time but this thing will take me all the way till noon if it has to.

Since Tim and I had our allergist appointment this afternoon I was able to eat lunch at home, which drastically opened up the possibility to something delicious. I met with the guy who should have fixed my roof already but hasn’t who will be fixing my roof sometime in the future first to show him the nasty spot on the ceiling. So after he left I made myself some lunch.

My lunch!

Today I put a Morning Star veggie burger on a bed of romaine lettuce that I had added some roma tomato (which is always much better priced than other tomatoes) and cilantro too. I topped off the burger with a smashed up avocado so that I didn’t miss out on the idea of having “condiments” on your burger. I set all of that alongside some Stacey’s pita chips (my favs!). I will tell you what, this thing was AMAZING. I was so full by the end of it and the avocado was just the tough this burger salad needed. It helped everything sort of stick together which made it a pretty big and cohesive meal. The pita chips fulfilled the extra crunch and salt cravings that I usually have at lunch. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone and I think next time I’ll add some spice to it with some hot peppers or something similar. And by the way these burgers are very well prices at one of our club stores nearby, BJ’s, so if you have a BJ’s near you… check it out!

Best condiment there is

After lunch Tim and I headed off to the allergist where I found out that I don’t have asthma but that both Tim and I are allergic to every single thing found in nature. The doctor even suggested that Tim never mow the grass and oh let me tell you how devastated he was NOT. Good thing allergy shots are an option! So after we both got over 50 allergy scratches on our backs we headed home to prepare a romantic anniversary dinner for my parents. Sunday is their 29^th anniversary but they are heading off to beautiful Mexico that day so we had to celebrate a little early. I wanted to do something special for my parents because now that I am engaged I feel like I look at marriage differently. I mean in reality I committed myself to Tim a long time ago but somehow the whole ring and down on one knee thing makes it more real so we planned on showing my parents that we love them and that we admire their love for one another.

Step 1 for this dinner was simple… attempt to create a somewhat romantic atmosphere while not making it weird for Tim and I to eat with them as well. I think we succeeded when we decided on 3 candles to put in the middle of the table and a little less than bright lighting. Simple enough to appreciate.

Step 2 was make the menu. I decided to do a stuffed pepper recipe that I found here. I ended up making some small changes because I wanted to use reduced fat cheese and wanted to spice it up a little bit. The peppers were amazing and even though my dad said his lips were tingling a bit he seemed to like them! Next to the peppers I made 1 roll for each person (because who needs more than 1), fruit salad that had kiwi, banana, strawberry, watermelon, blueberries, and blackberries, and then steamed up some edamame because my parents originally wanted sushi. I can’t make sushi so I just thought a familiar side dish would be a nice touch. I will say that these peppers were extremely easy for me to make and this recipe was simple enough to follow. I would say to go ahead and start preparing about an hour and a half before you want to eat because the cutting, simmering, and baking takes about that long.

Mom and Dad's anniversary dinner

Dinner was scrumptious and everyone seemed to enjoy all of the flavors. While my dad enjoyed a beer the rest of us enjoyed a glass of white wine. The meeting ended with some good conversation and then some goodbyes since we won’t be seeing them until they get back from their trip.

Happy 29th Anniversary Mom and Dad

My mom made a video last year to celebrate their 28th Anniversary. Check it out on her blog here.

Went to bed around 9 and I believe Tim joined me around 11. How he gets up after only 6.5 hours of sleep is beyond me but I wish I could do it. I’m a pretty cranky girl if I don’t get at least 7 hours.

Hope you enjoyed this day of food!

What’s your favorite meal to make?

So today’s run was a VERY quiet run. I’m not sure what Tim and I were both reflecting on but we didn’t say much. It got me thinking though… the people that matter most in your life and that you love the most are just the people you enjoy being with. What I  mean by with are just around you know? Next to you, close to you, even if they aren’t saying a word. Tim and I really have that. We love to talk and we are pretty much goofs to each other all of the time but this morning was one of those mornings where it was better to just be than to be heard

So the run this morning was the interval for the week! We also did this about an hour later than usual because I didn’t have to be at work at my normal time so I got some extra sleep which was great except that it was very humid and much warmer than I have been used to.

I would say that the entire time I was really sore from workout class last night. Those lunges really kicked my butt at Rowing/Crossfit class but I still made it out there to give it a try. As usual the first 6 min were sloooow and Tim was just passing me up. The second 6 minutes he was even texting while running… yea talented right? Short side note… we just bought this house last year and because the people that build these are lazy sons of a gun of some crazy freak of nature we have a leaky roof that is not making me happy in our guest bathroom. It had stormed the night before and our ceiling was damn so we were checking with Casey and Mark via text message next door to see if theirs was leaking too. Since we share the same roof it is nice to be able to check in and see if the same stuff is going on! So anyway Tim was texting Casey while running to have her check out the bathroom before she left for work. He finds a new way to amaze me everyday. My legs made it the entire time but we timed out the run pretty poorly so we still had like 3 minutes of running left and we were already back to the neighborhood. This made it extremely DIFFICULT to finish because I could see the house and I just wanted to go inside! When I finally did make it inside I stood at the bottom of the stairs and just stared… I was not sure my legs were going to take me up. Luckily Tim offered a spot as a walked away… just in case.

Headed to work as usual and I took a smoothie w/ me today. I had put some bananas in the freezer and until I did some research I just couldn’t figure out how to peel the darn thing so I had a regular one. I also added Chocolate Peanut Butter PB2 along with some Almond Breeze Almond Milk. Simple and delicious. Proceeded on with my day and then enjoyed a nice lunch with Casey and Angela. I feel like I ate the world for lunch, maybe because I had a lunch in the fridge from the day before at work that I hadn’t eaten yet and I just ate both! I had a Morning Star Veggie Burger on top of lettuce and tomato and managed to eat some tuna salad on the side. I had some blueberries and then a peach later in the day.

Any good smoothie recipes suggestions? Leave a comment and let me know!

I made it home and was supposed to go to soccer but when I got home I realized the field was over 40 min away and I just wouldn’t make it on time. On top of that it was like 95 degrees outside still and that heat would have just killed me. I also was really wanting to spend a night hanging around the house with Tim because we had been so busy the last couple of weeks. I was also able to update The Proposal post so hey that’s just another benefit to missing a game. So Tim and I very late into the evening decided we should probably eat. We managed to put some parmesan crusted tilapia in the oven and had some whole wheat noodles with Italian seasoning on them and some peas! We watched Pretty Little Liars (yes you know I love it) and head off to bed. Another successful day.

What a perfect morning to replace my hot boring coffee with something cool and refreshing and fun.

I decided to try out one of the new coffees I got as a Foodbuzz Tastemaker.

Yes Godiva coffee!  And this french vanilla was right up my alley.

After I brewed up a pot.

I poured it over ice (about half way full).

And then I added unsweetened vanilla almond milk for some added vanilla flavor 9you could use any kind of milk)

And then to make Monday a real special start of the week, I used about 1 teaspoon of honey (again a sweetener of choice, maybe even vanilla stevia drops).

And topped it all off with some frozen cherries.

Do I dare say this was one festive way to start my morning?

Maybe a new tradition of sorts to shake away the Monday blahs…….

Have you done anything special to make your Monday better?

]]> http://seesaraheat.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/vegan-cinnamon-muffins/ Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:01:28 +0000 Sarah Frankel http://seesaraheat.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/vegan-cinnamon-muffins/ I have been reading Jenna’s blog for years, which means that for a long time, I have been drooling over her recipes! But it’s possible that I have either a) never made any of them myself or b) I have but it’s been so long that I can’t remember.

Well, whichever situation it is, I finally remedied that!

Jenna has a lot of vegan recipes on Eat Live Run but I chose to recreate her originally non-vegan Cinnamon Toast Muffins because I knew they were something my husband and friends would enjoy and that I could easily make some substitutes for myself in order to make it vegan.

Vegan Cinnamon Muffins (adapted from Cinnamon Toast Muffins by Jenna @ Eat Live Run)

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups organic whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze)

1/2 cup organic sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Ener-G egg replacer “egg” (1.5 tsp powder + 2 tbsp warm water)

1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

Dash of salt

Topping: 4 tablespoons vegan butter (I used Earth Balance), 1/2 cup organic sugar, 1 heaping tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in one big bowl and the wet ingredients in a second, smaller bowl. Combine the two together and mix until well combined (I always have trouble with flour sticking to the bottom of my bowl so I make sure to scrape the bottom really good as I mix). Bake in a greased muffin tin for 25 minutes, poke center muffin with toothpick to make sure they are done.

To make the topping, melt the butter on the stove and then stir in the sugar and cinnamon. I thought mine was too chunky so I added a little water, then it was too runny so I couldn’t get it to stick very well. Next time I will just roll the muffins in the chunks

This recipe yielded 8 muffins for me, I actually used the wrong measuring cup for the flour, milk, and sugar and you will see that Jenna’s original recipe called for more of those three ingredients, so if I had managed to do that correctly, I may have gotten 9 or 10. But they were still awfully delicious!

I took these for dessert to my in-laws house a while back and everyone seemed to enjoy them, but I also had some for breakfast, which I have to say they were probably better suited for. I recommend 10 seconds in the microwave, plus a smear of peanut butter.

Thanks Jenna for sharing amazing recipes with the world. I will definitely make this one again!

Have you tried any great recipes recently? Feel free to share in the comments section!

Before we get to the posts I’ve been loving this week, I’ll share with you my breakfasts from the past few days.. as breakfast is the only thing I’ve seemed to document!

The waffles are back! Yesterday I had two whole wheat waffles, one topped with TJ’s peanut butter, a mashed banana, chi seeds, and syrup! OH so good!

And the other topped with a bit of earth balance and syrup.

Unpictured: A GM (FINALLY) made with Jay Robb’s vanilla whey, almond milk, banana, strawberries, chia seeds, and baby spinach. Dinner at work? Pizza. No explanation needed

I woke up today and did some ab work, followed by a yogurt bowl…

Raspberry Chobani, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, strawberries, a peach, and blueberries.

I’d also like to thank you on the well wishes and the advice about my kitties’ adjusting to the new place! Onyx is good to go. Molly is.. well she was doing good until my fiance’s best friend moved in yesterday (we can’t yet afford a place on our own) and the maintence guys came to work on the gutters, making a BUTTLOAD of noise on the roof. This is her new hiding place..

On top of the kitchen cabinets. Cats…

And now for some posts I’ve been loving this week!

Faith, Fitness, Fun – Hard to Write – A post from the lovely Tina about following your dreams… an inspirational post you canNOT miss!

The Fitnessista – Two becomes three – If you’ve been around the blog world, I’m sure you haven’t missed this… The Fitnessista is expecting a little one! As I have baby fever BAD, I’m excited to follow her journey!

Trying to Heal – San Diego Marathon Recap – My girl Melissa successfully completed and ROCKED her marathon! And if you aren’t already reading her blog, well, you need to fix that.

How Sweet it Is – Brown Sugar Blueberry Cookies – As I’m kind of obssed with blueberry muffins and cookies on their own, I’m SLIGHTLY obsessed with this recipe!

Eat, Live, Run – five things of utmost importance – As usual, this post by Jenna made me CRACK UP.. and happy birthday to Jenna, the first blog I fell in love with!!

What was the first blog YOU fell in love with? Any posts you’ve been loving lately? Please share!

Up until a year ago I had never touched the stuff. Was I turned off by it? Grossed out? Not really. Was I scared? Maybe a little, but mostly for fear of breaking out into hives. Yes, my almond aversion stemmed from the irrational assumption that I was terribly allergic to the little wonder nuts. This obviously turned out to be untrue but, you know, thanks for the lost years anyway, doctor.

Most of you are probably familiar with this stuff and if you’re anything like us it’s a staple in your fridge. Those who aren’t (due to lack of interest or an imaginary nut allergy) can expect to be pleasantly surprised. Almond Breeze has a great creaminess that plays well with its subtle almond flavor. It’s decent in coffee, great in cereal, and goes incredibly well with your favorite vegan cookies. On its own Almond Breeze is surprisingly sweet, perhaps too sweet for some. Luckily for those some, Blue Diamond offers unsweetened varieties of each flavor (original, vanilla, and chocolate) at 50 calories less per serving. So what’s the verdict? This stuff is, simply put, amazing.

Price: $2.99
Place: Fresh&Easy
Score: 5/5

Quaker Oatmeal Squares. Possibly my favorite cereal…um… ever?!

Topped with peanut butter, banana, granola, and almond milk (added after the picture

Arnold’s sandwich thins..

(Can you spot the face?)

Topped with peanut butter and banana on one side..

And Earth Balance and Crofter’s on the other.

This is PERFECT pre-workout fuel for me as it provides lots of energy and digests quickly.

WAFFLES! Waffles of epic proportion actually

1/2 topped with peanut butter,  melted banana (1/2 of a banana microwaved and smushed up, granola, and syrup. OH MY GOSH. So good.. sooo good.

And 1/2 topped with simply Earth Balance and maple syrup.

Again, Arnold’s sandwich thins.

Pretty much the same as pictured above.

Yet still delicious

Annd the epic waffles again…

I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day! I spent mine working :/ But that’s neither here nor there. Today, however, was great! I just got back from dinner with my man and mom and we are now chillaxing on the couch about to watch a movie… life is good!

In other news, I am finally (finally) moving Friday. As in this friday. As in 4 days from now. Packed? Not quite. [insert panic here]

And finally, some posts I’ve loved lately…

Leaving London – I followed Gabriela’s posts about her trip to London and well, it was just the next best thing as being there myself!

I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes – This is a post that every woman should read and take to heart. No, really. And well, I just kind of love this beautiful lady

The Lessons I Learn – Yet another beautiful lady that I kind of love. Her side note series has helped me out TREMENDOUSLY and this is one of the ones that touched me the most. A must read.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Swirl Blondies – You should just make these. Like, now.