Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Sesame Root Veggie Fries

By

I can be really lame.

Saturday night I put the French station on Pandora and curled up in my PJs to finish my book for tonight’s book club,  The Sharper the Knife, The Less You Cry.  It’s my turn to host this week and I terrified everyone with promises of cleansing food.  A flurry of emails volunteering meat, desserts, and wine followed.  Whatever – I think my food is good!  😉

Anyhow… Saturday while reading I snacked on lavar and kombucha… and it was one of the most glorious nights ever.  Cheers to fermented tea, PJs, and being lame.

Here’s what I thought of the book:

The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World's Most Famous Cooking SchoolThe Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun, easy read. The book is well-written; it isn’t going to be a classic, but if you love food you’ll enjoy it. It is an eye-opener for anyone who’s dreamed of going to Le Cordon Bleu. I don’t know that I could stomach some of the butchering they were required to do! The best part is that she includes recipes for some of her favorite dishes.

View all my reviews

That pretty much sums up my weekend.  I worked out with 2 friends on Saturday morning (2 separate workouts – I was gassed!).  The second work out was followed up with this Butternut-Cherry Bomb protein shake… I made one for my “normal” eating workout buddy too and she loved it despite its color!!!  It kind of made my day.

Other than that it was an anti-social, errand-running weekend.  Perfectly punctuated with fries.  Surprise, I got a little too excited over dinner.

These baked Sesame Root Veggie Fries were better than the real thing to me!  Disclaimer: I don’t actually like white potatoes.

The seasoning I came up with is one I’ll be repeating in other dishes – the sweet coconut oil combined with the nutty sesame seeds, a little cayenne heat, and a touch of cinnamon made my taste buds jump for joy.  It was like some Thai-fry-fusion gloriousness.

Served with a side of dijon-spiked lentils.

I loved the parsnips.  They were the most french fry-like of the mix, and their milder taste lets the seasoning shine.

The beets didn’t wow me.  They weren’t bad, but their flavor overpowered the rub.

You know it’s good when the decision about which piece to save for the last bite is a tough one.  The sweet potato ended up being the last bite – that added sweetness from the potato made it seem almost like dessert.

Recipe at bottom of post.

This week was killer for weights.  I’m still “meh” on the cardio… I attempted to run again on Friday and had to give it up after 1.25 miles due to the pain.  Saturday I was able to tag along with a friend to a spin class.  It was awesome! Such a different workout for me.  A different workout that meant I was so sore Sunday I didn’t do my final BodyRock fit test.  That’s going to happen over a lunch workout today – I can’t wait to see the progress, and to start the February challenge!

I also checked out a new workout in this month’s Food & Wine.  This is a routine I could get into.  Who’s with me? 🙂

Workout Recap (2/13 – 2/19)

Sesame Root Veggie Fries

Inspired by YumUniverse

  • 1 medium beet
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 parsnip
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 – 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp liquid coconut oil
  • S+P, to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place sesame seeds, cayenne, and cinnamon into a small food processor (I use my Magic Bullet) and blend until seeds are broken into tiny pieces (~20 secs).

Slice veggies into thin slices and spread evenly across a foil-lined baking sheet.  Pour melted coconut oil over the veggies, sprinkle seed mixture over it, and toss until evenly combined.

Bake for 30-45 mins, tossing once halfway through.

Enjoy!

***

Sunday I was honored to make the FoodBuzz Top 9 for my Butternut Thyme Hummus.  Thanks for the Buzz, friends! 🙂

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Is anyone else in a book club?  What is the last book you read?

Work it Out: Legs, Glutes, and Core

By

It’s no secret that I love weights.

I’ve been doing a lot of great workouts, but have been slacking on sharing them with you all.  I promise to do better!

To start, I want to share a Leg/Glute/Core routine I wrote last weekend.

Before you get started with any workout, do at least do 5-10 mins of light cardio to warm up.  This is especially important if you workout first thing in the morning before your muscles have a chance to loosen up.  It will go a long way in injury prevention!  It can be anything from a jog to jumping jacks.

Since I did this first thing, I completed 20 mins of intervals on the elliptical.  It was enough to get my heart rate up, loosen my muscles, and get me in the right mindset to tackle this workout.

Throughout this workout, concentrate on keeping your core tight, as if you are bracing to be punched in the stomach. This way you are protecting your back and getting some extra core work!

The Workout: Legs, Glutes, and Core

1. Goblet Squat

Source: fitbit.msn.com

Hold a dumbbell (or kettleball) to your chest, with your elbows pointed to the floor as pictured.  Do a squat, lowering your butt as close to the ground as possible.  Take care to ensure your knees stay over the center of your feet and your weight stays on your heels.

Pause, then return to the start position.  Repeat 8-10 times for 4 sets, taking a short rest (30-60 secs) in between sets.

2. Elevated Back Foot Weighted Split Squat

Source: www.citygeisha.com

Holding a pair of dumbbells at arm’s length.*  Stand in a staggered stance, with your back foot on a bench (the higher your foot is, the harder the exercise).  Slowly lower your body as far as you can into a lunge squat.  Pause for a second, then return to start position.  Repeat 10-12 time for each leg, 2 sets each.

*If you are just starting out, try this move without weight first!

3. Single Leg Standing Calf Raise w/ Dumbbell

Source: menshealth.com

Stand on a step, or weight plate.  Hold a dumbbell in your right hand and cross your left foot behind your right ankle.  Your right heel will be hanging off a step or on the floor.  Lift that heel as high as you can. Pause for 2 seconds, then lower and repeat.  Do as many reps as you can with your right leg.

Transfer the dumbbell to your left hand, switch feet, and do the same number with your left.

4. Single Leg Bent Knee Calf Raise

Complete this exercise like the one above; however, do so with your knee bent as pictured above.  Hold it that way throughout the exercise.

Do as many reps as you can with your right leg, then repeat with the left.

5. Single Leg Donkey Calf Raise

Source: healthxwellness.com

Place both hands on a wall or bar for support.  Bend over at your hips so that your upper body is parallel with the floor.  Be sure not to round your back!

Do as many reps as you can with your right leg, then repeat with the left.

6. Single Leg Hip Raise w/ Swiss Ball

Source: menshealth.com

Laying on your back, place your left heel on a Swiss ball and hold your right leg in the air.*  Engage your glutes and push your hips upward until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees (like in the middle pic above).  Keep your core TIGHT!

Roll the ball toward your arse, bending your left knee and pulling the ball with your heel.  Return to the starting position, and repeat 12-15 times.  Switch and repeat with left leg in the air.  Complete 2 sets with each leg.

*If you’re just beginning, do this exercise with both feet on the Swiss-ball, or try it using a bench.

7. Plank

Source: www.mybodymyway.com

Planking is the single most effective this you can do for your abs – better than crunches!!!

With your elbows bent and weight resting on forearms, tighten your core and lift your butt so that your body forms a straight line from shoulders to ankles.  Be sure not to let your hips sag, and that your elbows are directly under your shoulders.

Hold for 60 seconds, rest for 30, and repeat.*

*Too hard?  Hold it for 30 seconds.  Too easy?  Try it with your feet elevated on a bench.

8. Swiss Ball Jack Knife

Begin in a push-up position with your toes on a Swiss ball and your arms in push-up position.  Keeping your legs straight, raise your butt toward the ceiling while pulling the ball toward your chest with your feet.  Take care not to round your back.  Pause for 1-2 seconds, and lower your hips to roll back to the start position.

Do 2 sets of 15 reps.

9. Single Leg Side Plank w/ Knee Tuck

Source: oprah.com

Lie on your left side and position your body in a side plank, with your legs straight and your weight resting on your left forearm.  Your body should form a straight line from your head to your ankles.  Be sure to keep your elbow under your shoulder!

Place your right hand on your hip.  Lift your bottom leg so that your foot is next to the inside of your right knee.*  Be sure to keep your core tight without rounding your lower back.

Hold for 30-60 seconds, then repeat on the other side.  Complete 2 sets on each side.

*Too hard?  Keep both feet on the floor.

This whole routine (minus the warm up) took me about 30 minutes.

Printable version you can take to the gym: 

Don’t forget your 20g of post-workout protein to aid in recovery and muscle building!*

*No, it won’t result in you looking like She-Man.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

I offer personalized online training and nutrition programs!  Check out my philosophy here and fill out the from for more info.

Also, check out my free Macro Calculator, which helps time your meals to get the most out of your workouts!

***

I am not a trainer.  I am not a certified anything.  Don’t sue me if you hurt yourself, don’t like the workout, or fail to magically have a Kardashian ass after doing this.  I don’t have any money anyway.

What is your favorite body part to work?

Where do you get motivation to work on your fitness?  Fergie?

High 5 for Monday

By

So many new things to talk about!

 

This weekend has been the most low key I’ve had in a while, but it was much needed.  I hit the ultimate level of productivity: not only did I wash the sheets, but I also washed the mattress cover and flipped the mattress.  Be honest: when was the last time you washed you mattress cover?

 

As much as I know you all are riveted by my cleaning accomplishments, here are 5 other announcements that might be more interesting to you (I know my mattress is riveting).

 

1. I am excited to announce that I am a Recipe Guru @ Around the Plate.

You can just call me “Guru” if you wish. 😉

There’s a new button on my side bar for easy access to the site.  If you click on it, go to “thePlate Community” tab and click on Recipe Gurus.  I’m the second from the bottom.

I am excited about the chance to share fun food ideas with more people… and the added motivation to keep it clean. 🙂

 

2. My Recipage is live!

This is really exciting because it will be MUCH easier to search recipes, ingredients, etc on Sprint 2 the Table.  I’m done with Breakfasts and Mains.  All new recipes will be added on Recipage from now on.  Check it out on the top menu bar!

It’s a slow process, but I thought I’d go ahead and unveil it… which will force me to speed it up. 😉

 

 

3. The Blend Retreat is May 4-6th in Boulder, CO.

 

Blend was named from the combo of two things: Blogger + Friend = Blend!  It’s designed to be “relaxed, laid back retreat for healthy living, food and fitness bloggers across North America!!  Instead of focusing on seminars and speakers, the focus will be on FELLOWSHIP and having a weekend away to get to know one another in real life!”

I’m going and you should too!  Tickets are just $75 and there are some great sponsors and activities planned (dinners, hikes, bootcamp class, etc).  Seriously – for this price I was shocked to see how much is included.  Click here for the schedule and here for the list of attendees.

 

4. The dinner with my cleanse buddies was a win.

 

We had so much fun.  One friend brought a delicious avocado-red pepper soup and the other brought an awesome fruit blend covered in cinnamon for dessert.

I brought back another old cleanse recipe – Mamma’s Italian Stir-Fry.  It was just as good the second time around!  This is a great recipe for using what you have.  I used portobello mushrooms rather than shiitake, used 1 huge eggplant, added a red pepper, and tossed in some apple cider vinegar and ground oregano.

 

We ate dinner (sans wine for the first time ever), enjoyed fruit for dessert out of martini glasses, talked about the random smoothies we’ve been making (no one likes what blueberries do texture-wise when blended), and then enjoyed a rousing game of Clue.  Old school and awesome.  Until I lost.

 

5. I ate some ugli.

Ugli fruit, that is.  Have you guys ever seen these?  They are indeed ugly on the outside, but taste like an orange-y grapefruit.  Not quite as sweet as an orange, but it lacked the bitterness of a grapefruit.  I loved it as part of my breakfast!

 

According to Wikipedia, the Ugli fruit was discovered growing in the wild and is a hybrid of a grapefruit, orange, and tangerine.

____________________________________________________________________________

This week was a good one for weights… a little lacking on cardio.  I get to try running again on Wednesday and I think my body know that and is subsequently rebelling against the elliptical.  I hate that thing!

Most exciting is my BodyRock progress.  This week’s first video included a progress check – we were to re-do the fit test from Day 1.  I honestly didn’t think I’d improve that much.  For 50 seconds you do as many of each exercise below, take 10 seconds of rest, and then move on to the the next.

 

Apparently I wasn’t feeling the burpees (I was really sore… also, I hate them), but I was really blown away at the improvement in tuck jumps!  All of this without buying any of their equipment.  It can be done with free weights and a bench (or couch).

I can’t wait to see what the final 2 weeks of the BodyRock 30 Day Challenge brings!

 

Workout Recap (2/6 – 2/12)

***

Added benefit of the cleanse: I spent about $350 less this week than I normally do.  Holy cost savings.

What did you do this weekend?

Did it suddenly become arctic where you live?  I actually saw snow flurries!

 

Guilty as Charged

By

Are you a Foodie?

 

Watch Shit Foodies Say for help deciding:

 

If I’m guilty of saying nearly everything in that video… am I a Foodie?

Just please tell me I’m not intolerable… 🙂

____________________________________________________________________________

Speaking of foodies… we had an Atlanta Blogger Potluck on Saturday night.

It was awesome to get to try the food from the people whose posts make my stomach growl.

Photo Courtesy Lee @ inmytummy.com

 

In attendance: Emily (former blogger), Tina, Stacy, Carol, Traci, Laura (another former blogger), Alayna, and me.

 

Lee was the photog… and was also nice enough to offer up her house to us, which was fantastic because we could all sit around a coffee table and talk.  It’s hard to have a group conversation in noisy restaurants at long tables!

 

 

The food was delicious, as you might imagine.

 

At our table:

  • Sweet Potato Tot Casserole from Stacy (Mama Pea recipe!)
  • Greek salad from Tina
  • Japanese Sweet Potato Casserole from Alanya (which is going to be in her cookbook!)
  • Broccoli Salad from Carol
  • Spinach Balls from Laura
  • Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Lee
  • Olive tapenade on toasts from Traci *I think*
  • Brie and apples on water crackers from Emily *I think*
  • My Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
  • My Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies
  • Nutella Sandwich Cookies from Laura *I think*
  • Carrot cake from Alanya

 

My plate didn’t have an inch of room to spare…

 

 

And you better believe I cleaned my dessert plate too!

 

 

We sat around talking and eating for 4 hours!  Topic ranged from running to general gossip to horror stories.  Seriously – do NOT ever see the Human Centipede.

As you might imagine, it was all amazing and I left Lee’s house smiling and stuffed.

____________________________________________________________________________

Now that the gluttony portion of this post is complete… it’s time for the workout recap.

The Dr. said to take 2 weeks off of running and focus on correcting the balance or strength between my hamstrings and quads, so I’ve been good.  Today’s 70 degree Southern California-esque weather made me miss running a lot, but I did get out for a good walk.  And a treat.

 

 

Workout Recap (1/30 – 2/5)

***

Three exciting things to cover:

  1. Thanks to all for the “Buzz.”  I made the FoodBuzz twice this weekend!!!  Check it out here and here. 
  2. I actually wrote a weekend post in honor of the #ChocolateLove Bloghop.  Check out my Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies here and link up your favorite chocolate recipe.
  3. Stay tuned for an AWESOME giveaway tomorrow!!!


What did you think of the Super Bowl?  (By Super Bowl I mean Madonna’s rockin’ performance.)

 

If you could have a dream-blogger potluck, who are a couple of bloggers you would invite?

 

Underground Eating

By

Atlanta is the place to be if you like to eat in secret locations.

It seems like there is an event every weekend!  

This Sunday was the first brunch edition of the Atlanta Underground Market.  The previous markets have been in the evening and didn’t have themes.  Brunch was fun because it forced the vendors to try something new… and who doesn’t love brunch?  I met Lee, Felix, and Heather there for a gut-busting good time. 🙂

Dr. Sweets Cake Emporium was serving up mini, gluten-free pancakes.  They were ok, but the sauce is what got me excited.  Apple-Jalapeno Jelly and Raspberry-Lime Jelly.  I could have eaten the raspberry by the spoonful.

Next up was a Bloody “Maria” Cupcake from S’More Cupcakes.  Whoa.  The mini cupcake included tomato juice, clam juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, fresh horseradish, and Silver Patron tequila, and was topped with cream cheese, celery, and a cherry tomato.  A risky dish, this turned out to be everything I hoped it and more.

Ciao Bocca offered a Zucchini Frittata with tomatoes, arugula, and fresh mozzarella was a tasty bite.  I was impressed that the quality of the mozzarella!

One of my favorite items was a Margarita Cookie from Cookie Underground.  We also tried the Mimosa and Strawberry Margarita cookies.  All fantastic.  I took a couple of Chocolate Sweet Potato cookie thins to go. 🙂  Vegetable in cookies, FTW.

The runaway hit was Arepa Mia.  We waited in line for a solid 45 minutes to get the most incredible arepa I’ve ever had.  Today’s was eggplant, black beans, collards, and butternut squash.  It was supposed to have a fried egg (for brunch), but they ran out.  I was a little sad… however this didn’t stop me from scarfing my arepa down in record-time.

This next item I have to introduce by assuring you that I did NOT try them.  “Dad’s Nads” were cleverly named testicles by The Original Yay Yay.  As much as I talk about balls on this blog, these were no-go-nads for me!

All of that food makes me glad I had a good week of workouts!

__________________________________________________________________________________

My modified to cardio-a-day / Mile-a-Day Challenge has been a success!  Two more days and I will have completed it with only a couple of missed days.  Sometimes you just need to rest though. 🙂

I’m officially addicted to shorter workouts – between Body Rock and Pinterest workouts, there is no excuse not to move for at least 15 mins every day.  This week I did this Pinterest find 2x through:

Workout Recap (1/23 – 1/29)

***

Busy weekends are lots of fun… but they sure go by FAST.

Would you have tried Dad’s Nads?

What was the best part about your weekend?

Greek Protein Mess

By

By Friday of last week I had to force myself out the door for a workout.  

 

 

I say forced because I am determined to do cardio everyday and I just wasn’t feeling it.  Not being able to run is dragging me down… 30 mins on the elliptical (or any machine) is not my idea of fun.  My ADD and I need scenery!  I tried to push it this week with running… every time the pain becomes excruciating at 0.8 miles.

 

 

Anyway, Friday I stayed on the elliptical by promising myself that if I was really miserable I could stop after 10 min… then 20 mins.  This works really well for me – by the time I get to those marks, I tell myself “10 more mins isn’t going to KILL you.”

30 looooong minutes later, I did 45 mins of Back/Biceps.  I coaxed myself through some heavier weights with thoughts of breakfast. #fatkid

 

Specifically the Greek Protein Mess waiting in my fridge.  I wish I’d heated it so I could call it a hot mess.

 

 

Have you guys seen the Wallaby Greek Yogurt?  I found it a Whole Paycheck Foods last week and fell in love.  This is the creamiest, most flavorful Greek I’ve tried (that’s what she said)!  17g of protein and just 4 g of sugar, its my dream yogurt.

 

With the last of the container I was hoarding, I made a post-workout protein-filled mess.  Mess because it was a total hodge podge… and I had the shakes (sure sign of a good gym session) so bad that I spilled the protein powder and the cinnamon and then sloshed the chocolate milk out of my bowl.

This is one mess I plan to make  again!  Recipe following the recap.

__________________________________________________________________________________

So… yeah.  My knee.  I’m frustrated.  It better not ruin my plans to run the Nashville Rock ‘N Roll Half in April!  I’ve been really good about getting cardio in with the elliptical and the stationary bike.  The Mile-a-Day Challenge has been just the motivation I need.

I’ve also been loving Body Rock.  The hotel I stayed in last week had a terrible gym, but Body Rock saved the day.  The 30 Day Challenge is no joke!  Especially the Sean’s part of the Day 3 workout.  Holy quad burn, Batman.

 

 

 

Workout Recap (1/16 – 1/22)

  • Monday – 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – Body Rock Day 2, 1 mile run, Shoulders, 100 push-ups
  • Wednesday – This Body Rock, 1 mile run, Ab Ripper X
  • Thursday – Body Rock Day 3, Stationary bike (intervals)
  • Friday – Bis/Back, Elliptical (intervals)
  • Saturday – Body Rock Day 4, 1 mile run, 20 spiderman push-ups
  • Sunday – 1/2 mile run (knee gave up), Tris/Chest, Ab work*, 100 push-ups

*Sunday’s ab work was basic but good – if you ever need a quickie just try doing 100 reps of your favorite ab exercises.  I did 100 sit-ups on the exercise ball, 100 bicycle abs, and 100 baby crunches.  Then I did Hayley’s 6 minute plank rotation.

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Greek Protein Mess

  • 1/2 C plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 T chia seeds
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tsp peanut flour
  • 1 tsp maca 
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 5-6 drops NuNaturals Liquid Coca Stevia
  • Apple

 

Mix everything (except the apple) in a bowl and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour.  Remove and stir, adding more milk if necessary.

Top with diced apple, or other fruit of choice.

Refuel yourself!

***

This weekend I completed a fun art project (and I’m NOT artsy like my aunt).  Can’t wait to share with you tomorrow!!!

Do you like doing cardio on machines?  How do you get through it?

Some of you said last week you were doing/wanted to do  Body Rock.  How do you like it so far?

 

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal

By

The truth is…

 

While I have shared with you all the good food from the past two days, it’s been a pretty tough week.

 

 

Following that delicious Vietnamese meal I posted for WIAW, I went back to a hotel room where I worked until 4am.

And my computer crashed before I saved.  Twice.

 

 

The next morning I learned my spreadsheet fun isn’t over and I’m now in the middle of a new circle of hell another pile of VLOOKUPs and analysis.

I really do love my job… but I really do hate Excel.

 

 

 

The week has also left me short of time to workout.  I did manage to hit the hotel dreadmill for a quick mile… only to discover my knee still isn’t better.  Like clockwork, at 0.8 miles it hurts and feels like it’s going to buckle under me.

 

So today I’m not feeling wordy.  Nor do I have time to be.

 

Bad hotel breakfasts also drag me down.  What I really wanted was this:

 

 

This breakfast really is a good one.  Hotels, please take note.

 

 

Baked oats with mashed banana and peanut butter.  Topped with blueberries, chopped hazelnuts, and syrup at the very end.

It’s comfort food.  And I need to be held.

 

 

End of the bowl = end of my pity party today.

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal

  • 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 T peanut butter
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 4-5 drops vanilla stevia
  • 1 tsp coconut oil (optional)
  • Shake of salt
  • 1/3 C oatmeal
  • 1/4 C unsweetened almond milk

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place all ingredients except oats and milk in small bowl.  Mix until combined, then add raw oats and milk. Pour into a ramekin and cook for 15-20 mins, or until firm. Finish on broil for just a few seconds to brown the top.

Optional toppings: nuts, blueberries, more peanut butter, coconut oil, syrup

Serves 1.

***

Now I feel bad whining because I really am grateful for a lot this week: being in the Top 9, my awesome mom, and having a good job.

Do you ever need a pity party… and feel bad about said pity party?

What are you grateful for this week?

 

Get Slimed (Green Protein Icing)

By

Remember that slime show on Nickelodeon?

It was called “You Can’t Do That on Television.”

Side note: did you know Nickelodeon is recognized by spell check?

The contestants would have complete some challenge and if they failed, they got “slimed.”  According to Nickipedia, the slime consisted of “green gelatin and cream of wheat, and/or oatmeal.”

I wanted to be on that show so bad it hurt.  Probably more so because my parents wouldn’t even let me watch it.  Max + Lynda = most strict parents in the world.  Not that I’m bitter. 😉

Moving on to MY green slime…

Usually after a weight workout I have a green protein smoothie.  However, I had to run out to my car and by the time I got back I was far too cold for a cold drink.  Protein sauce seemed like the perfect solution.

Admittedly, this may be the weirdest thing I’ve ever posted about eating.  It kind of looked like Nickelodeon’s slime, but it was pretty tasty!  Especially with the blueberry “syrup.”

As a sad, waffle maker-less soul, I have become a fan of Van’s Waffles.  The blueberry flavor is good without packing a ton of sugar, and they offer whole grain, organic, and gluten-free varieties.  If you pop them in the oven on broil for 1-2 mins on each side, they come out nice and crispy.

The blended protein powder (I used Sun Warrior Vanilla) with spinach and a little almond milk only took a second, and I used my “lazy” technique to the get blueberry syrup in 30 seconds.  (1/2 C blueberries + 3-4 drops liquid stevia in a bowl and microwaved for 30-40 secs).

The topping is on the thick side – I like an “icing” topping.  If you prefer a syrup-y consistency, just thin it out with more milk.

Delicious and nutritious – not only will this entertain small children who like slime, but it will also keep you full until lunch!

________________________________________________________________________________

Green Blueberry Protein Icing

  • 1 C spinach
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4-1/3 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp maca (optional)
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 tsp butter extract (optional)
  • 5-6 drops liquid stevia (more if you like sweeter)
  • 1/2 C blueberries

Combine everything except blueberries in blender (I used my Magic Bullet).  Blend until smooth.

Meanwhile, place blueberries in small bowl and microwave for 30-40 seconds, until beginning to burst and become “juicy.”

Pour the juice and some of the blueberries into the blender with green mix and blend again.

Spread sauce on top of waffle/pancake/muffin/etc, finishing with remaining warmed blueberry sauce.

Creep out everyone around you with your odd breakfast creation.

***

Another point for green: it photographs so much better than brown.

Was there a game show you wished you could be on?

What’s the weirdest food/creation you eat?

Follow Me!

instagram_b facebook_b twitter_bpinterest_b
rss_a email_ayoutube_b googlep_b

Popular Posts

Home | About Me | Privacy Policy | Fitness | Recipes | Training & Nutrition

Affiliate Links: This site is monetized through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, Sprint 2 the Table would receive a small percentage of the sale price. Thanks for your support!