It's WIAW Time

 Whoa, I haven't been to a WIAW party in a couple weeks!

I've been feeling really fatigued lately and have been plagued with headaches.  Seriously annoying and definitely showing in my weekly mileage!  Next week I start my MARATHON TRAINING plan :)  Since I'm not officially signed up yet (need a real job yo!) I haven't mentioned it, but I will tell you all about it in an upcoming post!!!!!!!!!!!!! <~~~ can you tell I'm SO excited? 

I started my morning off with some K-Cup Coffee Shop coffee, NuNatural Stevia (new fave) and some vanilla almond milk.

 

As I dilly dallied around instead of just going for a run, I realized I would need some type of fuel and that it was getting hotter and hotter out, wah!

 

Enter pre-run nanner.  Like my neon orange shirt from Target?!  I'm in love, and not only because it's super cute.  It doesn't have that annoying built in bra, which usually I don't mind but for me it serves no purpose.  Instead, on long runs it chafes and I have a faint scar from a 12-miler to prove it!  And can we get real for a minute?   It's not like I actually need the extra support, the girls are pretty self sufficient.   

Anywho, the first mile was r o u g h !  I couldn't find my ipod charger so I couldn't download new podcasts and was forced to listen to music.  Does anyone else just get in the mood to listen to something specific on their run and if you can't, it kinda just throws you off? Then one of my ear buds blew out so I had music in one ear.  There was a house fire (terrible and I hope everyone is okay!) but my route was thrown for a loop, literally.  My back and shoulders were achy!  And of course I had a faint headache.

Enough complaining for one post!  After a while I found my groove, a slow groove, but I found it none the less!  And I did 6.85 miles.  At about 2 miles I thought I should turn around because I wasn't feeling my best.  But guess what?!  We won't always feel our best on race day.  So I pushed through and I think this run helped me realize that I can be strong mentally!  Very important for running, which is a big part mental strength!
When I got back it was a little past 11 so I ate a simple b-fast. 

other 1/2 of morning coffee
1/2 c. oatmeal

1 heaping TBSP Chunky PB1 TBSP raw cacao brazil nut bliss from my English goodies

Shane and I headed to the lake to get some sun and swim.  There's a diving board in the middle of the lake and I feel like a little kid every time I jump off!  So much fun!  When we got back I was starved and made myself a simple, quick, and satisfying lunch.

 

2 slices whole wheat toast
creamy roasted red pepper spread

sliced Jersey tomato1/2 can chick peas + noochcarrot sticks strawberries + grapes 

 

Time out.  Let me tell you about the Whole Foods Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Dressing, which I've been using as a spread on my sandwiches.

tofu, red peppers, soy milk, onion, cilantro, green onion, parsley, dill, garlic, dijon mustard, black pepper.  I love how although I don't really eat dairy anymore, I can still enjoy creamy dressings!  This has led to a bit of a ...

Before our softball game I wanted a light snack to keep my energy levels up.  At first I reached for these....but they have a sneaky ingredient hidden in them.

  

Why in the world is there gelatin in these peanuts?  Do ground up hooves really add to their flavor?  Now that I'm more conscious about reading labels, I find it disturbing how many animal products are used in most main stream brands.  You'd think dry roasted peanuts would have simple ingredients...not so much.

Instead I ate an apple, which was delicious and has one ingredient!

  Right after softball Shane and I headed into Philly for a much needed hair cut, so I packed dinner.  Please don't make fun of me.  I was in a rush and didn't have anything fresh or pre-made.  So I made a...let's call it a bean salad ::wink, wink::

1/2 can canellini beans
frozen peas

nooch + black peppersurprisingly yummy and satisfying  And of course I made some mini cookies and cream cupcakes which I took to the game and to Philly, so Shane and I each had one in the car.  Yum!   

I finished my night with a hair cut.  I think this is the shortest my hair has ever been!

Have a great Thursday :)

Cookies or Cupcakes?

...or dare I say both?

After perusing the internet I stumbled up these babies.  Oh, and those.  And oh my, look at this one!

And so the idea of a cookie dough/ cupcake combo was planted in my mind.  You would think after reading all these recipes I would do a little planning, gather ingredients, think the process through.  Nope, I tend to be a bit impulsive and I make no exception with my baking!  

Last Friday, (last day of my spring break, wahhhh) I spent the day on my hands and knees scrubbing our floors since we were expecting company on Saturday.  I also had whipped up an awesome dinner and by the time 6:00 rolled around the kitchen was finally clean.  I was tired. beat. ready to kick back and relax.  And then Shane calls with exciting news about his job. My mind flashes to the freezer and I know how we'll celebrate.  I have cookie dough frozen from the last batch I made.  I'll just pop them in the oven before he gets home.  Easy Peasy.

 *this is an old picture, don't mind the dates*

I putz around, watch some TV and look at the clock.  20 minutes to 7pm.  Shane gets home around 7:15, maybe I have time to bake something a little more special...? I can make cupcakes.  Oh me oh my, I can make vanilla cupcakes with a cookie dough surprise inside!

I literally ran to the bookcase and grabbed Hello, Cupcake! off the shelf, and flipped to the vanilla cupcake recipe.  Ran to the cabinets. Please let me have all the ingredients. Please  let me have all the ingredients. Phew, I got em!

In no time I had vanilla cupcake batter ready to be poured.  I spooned a tablespoon of batter, dropped in a cookie dough ball, and covered with another spoon of batter.  Then I stuck it in the oven and hoped for the best!

The recipe says bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.  I baked it for closer to 30, since the dough wasn't turning into a cookie consistency like I expected.

uh oh

What about frosting?  I hadn't even thought about how to top these sweet concoctions.  With no butter in the fridge, my only option it seemed was a royal frosting.  I put powdered sugar and vanilla extract in my mixer and slowly added almond milk a tablespoon at a time.  Not your most conventional frosting, but I had to make due with what I had!

sweet success

  

The cookie dough never did really turn into a cookie per say. Instead it remained a chewy, dough ball surprise!

 These were not finished by the time Shane got home.  But that's okay.  He's used to walking in while I'm frantically in the kitchen whipping up my latest creation.  I don't even know why I try and impose this 7:15pm baking cut off time, since I almost always take longer than that!  

I'm happy to be an impulsive baker because these cookie dough cupcakes were a yummy way to say "You rock Shane" and  "Hi, welcome to San Diego friends"!

Go Take a Hike!

I've lived in Southern Cali for 9 months.  And in all that time I haven't been hiking. 

I know!  I can't believe it, and neither could my dad.  

Thanks Dad

I've noticed that hiking is a big deal around here.  Most likely because there are a hundred amazing spots to get your hike on.  There are so many in fact, that I had no idea where I wanted to go.  Luckily I have some awesome co-workers who were more than happy to take me to, the waterfalls!

I had been hearing about this beautiful hike for a while and am so happy it was my first hiking experience!

 

 As far as the eye can see, sprawling mountains

 I wish I could capture the vastness in these pictures!

 

 There were 3 streams to cross.

 Barefooted it across the streams and in between.  Felt so refreshing!

 We made it to the much anticipated waterfall!

We were not prepared to jump in.  Can you spot the tiny people on the side rocks? Yes, they were jumping in and we plan on returning and jumping in as well!

Instead we found a spot on the rocks, dunked our feet in, and ate some granola bars.  But not just any granola bars, these are super awesome, due to the super foods hidden inside.

{Super Awesome} Sweet Potato Granola Bars

With an abundance of roasted sweet potatoes sitting in my fridge, these perfectly sweet and satisfying granola bars were born.  Perfect for a hike, they pack a punch with energy inducing super foods!

2 c. oats
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. craisins
1/2 c. raisins
2 tbsp chia seeds


- Preheat oven to 350.
-Mix ingredients in bowl.  Set aside.


1 cup small sweet potatos, roasted, peeled, and pureed
2/3 c. crunchy peanut butter
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tbsp vanilla
4 tbsp vanilla almond milk


- Process sweet potatoes in food processor until smooth.
- Add all (except almond milk)  ingredients to medium sauce pan and stir on low-medium heat.
- Adding the almond milk a tbsp at a time, stir until ingredients are combined and reach desired consistency.  This is the "glue" and it will be thick.  See pictures below.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix with spoon until all dry ingredients are coated.
- Press into lightly greased dish.  I used a 9x13 cake pan, but only used 3/4 length.
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until edges begin to crisp.

 

1 cup puree = about 2 small sweet potatoes

 

The "glue" is wet, but not too liquidy (there I go making up words).

 

Mix until all the ingredients are coated.

I made my bars about 1/2 an inch thick.

So I only used about 3/4 of the 9x13 cake pan.

You can cut them like bars. I wrapped some individually and put them in the freezer.

Or you can cut them into mini energy bites.

Either way you cut it, er them, they're super awesome!

Now go take a hike already!

Homebody Weekend

How is it already Sunday night?!  This weekend really flew by, but I enjoyed every minute.  I didn't get out much, but sometimes you just need a couple days to be a complete homebody!

And staying in has it's advantages.  Like my apartment is sparkling clean.  I'm tan, yay self tanner!   I finished a book. And I'm all caught up on my shows.  

Saturday started off with an 8.5 mile run, which to be honest, I didn't think was gonna happen.  All morning I moped around, dreading the impending miles.  I was a complete slacker this week and only got in one 4-miler.  It also doesn't help that since the mud run, I find dirt in between my toes after wearing my sneakers.  

But that's no problem, because being a homebody also allows you to online shop.  So my new kicks arrive in 4-5 days, I can't wait to try them on!

After my run I tried coconut water for the first time.  I wasn't that thrilled by it, maybe because I was expecting something sweeter, perhaps more fruity.  Next time I'll have to try a flavored kind, since the nutrition stats rock and I want to like it!

Part of what got me through my run was the thought of pancakes.  Isn't that why everyone runs?  I had 8.5 miles to think of a way to incorporate sweet potatoes into pancakes.  I came up with 3! 

Each pancake mix started with the same base: whole wheat flour, baking powder, flax meal, and vanilla.

#1 sweet potato, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger

#2  sweet potato, cinnamon, brown sugar

#3  sweet potato, cinnamon, maple syrup

Looking good so far...

These could work...

Nope.  I didn't get the ratios correct, so no matter how long the pancakes were on the pan, the insides would not cook!  I will get these ratios correct because these have the potential to be sooo good!  I have some ideas for other add-ins as well. 

The rest of the day I chilled out ...a m a z i n g.

After din, leftover Pho, Shane and I had a little banana soft serve topped with chocolate chips

[process frozen banana in processor until smooth]

and watched some Demetri Martin.

Sunday I revisited my sweet potato pancakes after yoga.  And they were super yum after a night in the fridge.  Topped with PB, chia seeds, unsweetened coconut shreds, and maple syrup.

so good.

Good night bloggies! Sleep tight!

 

Nom, Nom, Nom

If you like Girl Scout Samoas 

but didn't get a chance to buy them

even though you work in a school and you had plenty of opportunities

go here and make them yourself!

 

your welcome.

Oh, and if coconut isn't your thing...

The shortbread cookie + chocolate = amazingness

(and is a lot easier since the caramel coconut topping is super sticky and a pain to spread!)