Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Running and Winning

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It’s another Recap Monday!

Yes, I will reveal the lucky 4 NuNatural giveaway winners… at the end.  Bwhahaha.  (Yes, I realize you can simply scroll down.) 

Saturday’s People’s Health Day 5K was a good one.  I was a little worried when I signed up because the wesite looks like a cult recruitment tool. 🙂  It turns out that it was a well-organized race and event.

The course was hilly, but fun because there was lots of scenery to enjoy.  Even better – I got to participate in it with fellow ATL bloggers Lee, Lindsay, and Carol!

Source: www.atlantarunningmom.com

Guess who else raced?  Mena Suvari (of American Beauty fame).  I’m not going to lie… I’m so out of touch with pop culture that I had to come home and google her.  She won 1st place in the 20-35 age group…

… because I  won an overall female award and they wouldn’t give 2 medals to you. 🙂  2nd place!!!  Admittedly, it was a small, slow race… but I’ll that what I can get!

Source: www.atlantarunningmom.com

Stats:

  • Distance – 3.14 miles
  • Time – 24:21 mins
  • Avg Pace – 7:45

The People’s Health Day didn’t end there.  5K participants were given 4 tickets that could be traded for goodies from about 10 vendors.  Juice Plus (my fav supplement!) was there, along with a few local restaurants and farms.

The blogger contingent went crazy for the 180 Farm tent (check out their website – they have really great story to tell).  I ended up with extra tickets from a friend who left early and I ended up with a rockstar bag ‘o treats:

 

  • Orange cherry tomatoes (they have a slightly citrusy taste!)
  • Peppers – cayenne, jalapeno, green bell, purple bell, and a mirasol
  • A dozen fresh eggs
  • Via Elisa pasta sauce (from the Nature’s Garden‘s booth)

All of that for 6 tickets and a $25 race number!  That pasta sauce alone is ~$7 in Whole Foods!  (Side note: Atlanta-based Via Elisa makes some of the best pasta sauce you can buy in a jar.)

We didn’t hang out much longer following the awards because we had to get to the Atlanta Blogger Lunch at R. Thomas.  (You can read about my obsession with thoughts on R. Thomas here.)

From left to right: Lauren, Carol, Alayna, Lee, Katy, Lindsay, me, Laura (reader), Tina, Kristy, Katie and Brooke.

Special thanks to Brooke’s husband for taking this shot and to Brooke for sharing the photo with everyone!

My meal was a delicious tempeh fajita:

We had a great time eating, taking pics of our food (patrons enjoyed staring at 12 women simultaneously taking pic of their meals), and chatting.

The last meet up had a smaller attendance AND we’ve added several more locals since.  I’m amazed and how big the group is now – and this wasn’t even all of the local bloggers!

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Soooo… you want to know who the winning 4 are???

*drumroll*

The winners of the box of NuStevia Packets and the bottle of NuNaturals Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia are:

  1. Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine
  2. Parita @ My Inner Shakti
  3. Lisa @ Healthful Sense
  4. Nikita @ La Cocina Encantada

Good news for those who still want to try NuNaturals!  They are offering free sample and a discount on purchases to readers.

For the free sample of Nu-Naturals Stevia Packets: send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: NuNaturals, Inc, 2220 West 2nd Avenue #1, Eugene, OR 97402

To receive a 15% discount on NuNaturals online orders, entering the promo code BLG930 at checkout!

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Workout Recap (7/25-7/31)

  • Monday – Kickboxing
  • Tuesday – P90X Biceps & Back
  • Wednesday – P90X Ab Ripper X, 84 push-ups
  • Thursday – 9 mile run, 84 push-ups
  • Friday – P9p0X Triceps & Chest
  • Saturday – 1.5 mile run (to the 5K starting point), People’s Fitness Day 5K, 84 push-ups
  • Sunday – 4 mile run

If you have been reading these over the past few weeks you know that I do push-ups (almost) daily.  This week doesn’t have the 84 listed each day, but they were a big part of kickboxing class and basically half the moves in the P90X Triceps & Chest DVD.  I’m not slacking!

***

Monday always seems to creep up.  *yawn*  At least I had awesome surprise of waking up to see I made the Food Buzz Top 9!!!

Help me put a more positive spin on the start of the week…

What are you looking forward to this week?

I’m excited to try out some of the recipes from Spicie Foodie’s July YBR.  Click here to check out my Better-Than-S’Mores Brownie and others’ submissions!

Better-Than-S’mores Brownies

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It’s Weekend Recap Monday!

Saturday I got to see the now 1 week old Jackson – how cute is he?!

That’s my massive-looking finger he’s holding!

Mommy, Daddy and baby are all doing well.  They are all so cute together – I can’t believe the girl I used to run around the softball field with now has a baby.  Totally surreal.  

Of course, I couldn’t drop by empty-handed.

I brought the new parents some of the treats I made to take to a friend’s beach volleyball party.

These baller-friends built a sand volleyball court right in their own backyard.  It stays there year-round.  Coolest.  Idea. Ever.

We braved the heat and played for hours.  I was impressed at the skill level of my friends!  After a few rounds (and a minor injury), I decided to play it safe and spectate.

My thumb is a hard-core shade of purple today.

Volleyball = not one of my many skills

The Chipotle Corn Hummus made an appearance at the party.  

Heat + charred, sweet corn + hummus = Mmmmm.

Oh… did you want to know about that treat?

I put the Edge Brownie Pan mom gave me a few years ago to a whole new use.

S’more Brownies.  Complete with graham cracker crust and toasted marshmallows.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I like to sneak “secret” ingredients into foods.  (I swear by these brownies).

Betcha can’t guess the secret in S’more Brownies…

I used brownie mix.  Don’t judge me.

Rather than adding the called-for water and oil, I added a can of Diet Coke.  You can stop there, but I added an egg to achieve a fudge-ier brownie that would be a bit more reminiscent of melted s’more chocolate.

The chocolate chips in the batter give it added texture and make this even more sinful fantastic.

This may be one of the best desserts I’ve ever made.  (And I make a lot of desserts.)  They’re your childhood s’mores on crack made better.

I can never make these again.  

For at least a week.

S'mores Brownies

S’mores Brownies

Crust:

  • 1.5 C crushed graham crackers
  • 1/4 C + 2 T Earth Balance (or butter)

Brownie:

  • 1 box brownie mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Diet Coke
  • 1/4 C chocolate chips (mine came in the brownie mix)
  • Marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 and grease brownie pan (I used the edge brownie pan).

Mix together melted Earth Balance (or butter) with crushed graham crackers.  Press on to bottom of brownie pan.  Bake for 8-10 mins.

*Here’s where I stopped and froze mine overnight.  #1 I didn’t have time to make it all at one and #2 sometimes freezing a crumb-y crust help it to crisp up/not be too greasy.*

Mix together brownie batter (except marshmallows).  Add the soda in fourths to be sure batter doesn’t get too runny.

Pour batter into the brownie pan on top of the crust.

Bake at 325 for 35-40 mins, until batter is set.

Set over to broil and top the brownie with just enough of the marshmallows to cover (they will expand as they warm).  Place in oven for 30-45 secs, until marshmallows are browned.  Watch them closely!!!

Let cool COMPLETELY before cutting.

***

I love how desserts can be re-thought and made even better than the original.

What is your favorite dessert re-make?

Do you re-create them on your own or try them in restaurants more often?

You Might Be a Blogger If…

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You might be a food blogger if…

…You make party-goers wait while your mom holds a burning tray of so you can take a pic of your triple chocolate red velvet birthday cake cupcakes.

 

…You get unnaturally excited that you got an action shot photo of the Souper Jenny employee adding bacon whipped cream to the tomato tarts.  Yes, it was as fantastic as it sounds.

…Your new favorite band is a the hodge podge of chefs that jammed out after all of the food was eaten at the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival.  Chef Ford Fry can rock a festival and a guitar, yo.

…The only thing that is more exciting than tomatoes prepared 50 different ways on a Sunday is getting to hold your best friend’s beautiful new 6 lb 11oz and 19.25 inch baby.  Welcome to the world, Jackson Gregory.

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Last week was crazy at work and this weekend with all the festivities!  I’m looking forward to getting back on track this week  – both in the kitchen, in terms in my routine, and catching up blogging/blog reading!

 

The weekly recap tradition lives on!  Check back later in the week for a new leg workout – it’ a good one!

 

Workout Recap (7/10-7/17)

  • Monday – Legs, stationary bike 30 mins, 84 push-ups
  • Tuesday – 6 mile run
  • Wednesday – Biceps/Back, 2 mile intervals, abs, 84 push-ups
  • Thursday – 4 mile run, 84 push-ups
  • Friday – 84 push-ups
  • Saturday – 50 mins kickboxing
  • Sunday – 4 mile run/walk, 4.27 mile run, 84 push-ups

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 Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes!  The birthday weekend was incredible – I wish you all could have been there too!

Do many of your friends have children?  

Do you like to take them on outings and spoil them?  I can’t wait! 🙂

 

Coconut Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

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How in the world was I exhausted at 10 pm last night?

I’m a night person!  Then I remembered I left the house at 730am to play in a softball tournament and only came home long enough to shower and shovel one of these in my mouth.

My team didn’t win the tournament, but the game we lost was one of the most memorable I’ve had.  We went into overtime and lost… but the adrenaline and the plays made by my team were over the top.

We were down by 5 with 2 outs.  One girl got hit in the nose with the ball, bled a lot, and then came back into the game to bat so we didn’t have to take an out for her spot in the lineup… and she got a great hit!  Sadly, we still lost by 1. 🙁

In keeping with my new weekly recap tradition, here’s was last week looked like:

Workout Recap (7/4-7/9)

  • Monday – Peachtree Road Race – 10K – 51:08 mins
  • Tuesday – Yoga for Runners, stationary bike 30 mins, 84 push-ups
  • Wednesday – Biceps/Back, 5K run, 84 push-ups
  • Thursday – Intervals (2 mile treadmill, 1 mile elliptical), 84 push-ups
  • Friday – Tris/Chest, P90X Ab Ripper X, 84 push-ups
  • Saturday – 5 mile run (in 40 mins!!!)
  • Sunday – Softball tournament, 84 push-ups

NuNaturals was nice enough to send me some goodies to test out.

The package came with recipes, but I’ve had my eye on these Coconut Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies from Gracie @ Girl Meets Life.

It’s not often something so good for you tastes so decadent.

These are gluten-free and vegan.  The added bonus is that they are low-sugar.  If you omitted the chocolate chips, they would be sugar-free – you could do that and thrown in come walnuts for banana bread cookies.

NuNaturals Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia drops worked like a charm.  My cookies were appropriately sweet and I didn’t notice an aftertaste.

Coconut flour has been a recent addition to my pantry.  I’m loving it.  You have to be careful as it has a different feel than “regular” flour, but it adds a smooth, almost silky texture to baked goods.

Some benefits of coconut flour:

  • Good source of fiber – At 58% insoluble fiber, it has the highest percentage found in any flour
  • Guilt-free baking (nearly… the other ingredients are your business 😉 ) – Insoluble fiber means your body doesn’t digest it (translation: your body can’t derive calories from it); these fibers basically magic eraser their way through you intestines doing what fiber should do to keep your digestive system healthy
  • Gluten-free and hypoallergenic – Many people without a serious gluten allergy and moving towards a low-gluten diet.  Subbing coconut for some of your regular flour is another way to cut down on gluten intake.  For those that do have an allergy, you can use this with rice flour to improve textures.

Be warned that coconut flour is very dry and doesn’t bond well.  Remedy this by adding binders like bananas or eggs to your batter.  This can also be accounted for by using subbing in place of just 1/4 to 1/2 with a “regular flour.”
Keeping that in mind… welcome to cookies so silky and light you won’t be able to stop eating them.  Which is fine, as they are pure doughy deliciousness at only 86 calories a pop.

 

Coconut Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 3/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium banana, well-mashed
  • 14 drops NuNaturals Pure Liquid vanilla stevia
  • 1/2 T coconut oil
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp butter extract
  • 1 C unsweetened coconut milk (So Delicious-style)
  • 1/3 C dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.  Set aside.  
 
In a medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.  Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry, stirring as you go.  Fold in chocolate chips.
 
Scoop out 2 T of dough on lined baking sheet, pressing down lightly.
 
Bake for 25 mins, until cookies begin to brown.  Allow them to cool completely (they are crumbly!).
 
Makes 11 cookies.

Approximate nutritional info: 86 calories, 4.2g fat, 11.1g carbohydrates, 3.8g fiber, 4.9g sugar, 2.1g protein.

***

Important Announcement: it’s my BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!!  Woot!

What is new to your kitchen as of late?

Happy 4th of July!

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Saturday’s lake day didn’t result in any Jim Beam-fueled chants, but my friend Kristy did make the most patriotic jello shots the world has ever seen.

They were just as good as they look!

We also enjoyed a great spread – everyone made something to share.  I sweat we didn’t plan the Mexi-theme… obv nothing says the 4th like Mexican. 🙂

The goods included (back to front): watermelon salad, Tostidos, peach-avocado salsa, my chipotle corn hummus, veggie sticks, and bean salad.

Not pictured: sandwiches and a ridiculous amount of beer.

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2 hours until the Peachtree Road Race!!!  I’m so pumped.  This year will be my 4th one.

4th on the 4th.  Tee hee.

This is also probably the best running-shape I’ve been in.  I’m especially excited to see how this impacts my endurance – Atlanta is a hilly city!

I hit up the expo yesterday to pick up my number and peruse the freebies (free Vega Sport powder samples!).  Parking downtown is a nightmare, so I decided to jog there and back.  Not a terrible idea until i was half way through the run home and reallllly wishing I wasn’t carrying that bag full of freebies.  🙂

After a hydration-filled day, I got in bed early in hopes of being well-rested.  This was only moderately successful since

  1. I was too excited to sleep and
  2. I firmly believe it is impossible to feel well-rested at 5:30 am (it’s still DARK!).

Nevertheless, I have my gear ready to go and I’m drinking a cup of coffee with my pre-race Chia Banana Pudding.

I made the pudding the same as the linked recipe, but added a bit of almond extract and cinnamon.  LOVE the additions!

Items to Remember Not to Forget:

  • Race number
  • Safety pins
  • Ribbon (orange for Leukemia)
  • KT Tape
  • Inhaler
  • Gum
  • Watch
  • Shuffle + ear earphones
  • MARTA (ATL’s Metro) card
  • Sport Bean samples

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Last week I decided to begin posting a weekly workout recap on Mondays.  Even though it’s a holiday, I’m sticking to it and using this to add to race motivation!

My running was light due to the pesky Achilles injury, but I really enjoyed a weight-focused week.

Workout Recap (6/27-7/3)

  • Monday – Yoga for Runners, 30 mins stationary bike intervals
  • Tuesday – Biceps/Back, 84 push-ups
  • Wednesday – Legs, P90X Ab Ripper X, 84 push-ups
  • Thursday – 4 mile run, Core, 84 push-ups
  • Friday – Tris/Chest (w/ 1 mile of intervals), 84 push-ups
  • Saturday – Lake day! (that counts… right?), 84 push-ups
  • Sunday – Shoulders, P90X Ab Ripper X, 4.5 mile run

***

It’s already been quite the weekend!  I have a feeling I’m going to want a post-long weekend vacation day.

What’s the most fun you had over the long weekend?

Did anyone else enjoy jello shots? 🙂

***UPDATE: I did it in 51:08!!!***

Weekend Stars

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Every once in a while, the stars align just right…

 

and a perfect Saturday is born.

This Saturday began with the 21st Annual Pride Run at the park across from my condo.

There was a special buzz in the air following the news that New York joined a growing number of states extending the basic right of  marriage to all of its citizens.

I’ve run this race 3x so far and it continues to be one of my favorites.  The course is great, it’s well-organized, the runners are friendly, and it gets strong crowd support.  Even the police blocking off the streets cheer the runners on!

This year’s race solidified the event’s place in my heart… it marks the first time I placed in the Top 3 Females Overall!

I earned 3rd place overall and 1st in my division!!!

Stats:

  • Distance – 3.14 miles
  • Time – 23:41 mins
  • Pace – 7:45 mins

 

I have NO idea where that came from, but OMG I was thrilled!!!

 

Post-race I walked across the park for some raw milk (I know it’s controversial… but it does have benefits and it tastes like a milkshake!), farm eggs, and peaches.  There is nothing more delicious than local, fresh food.

 

The afternoon was filled with softball and some quick pre-reunion weight lifting.

At the reunion I saw some people I was looking forward to reconnecting with, which was nice.  Overall… I don’t know what I expected, but was just ok.  High school seems like a lifetime ago, and it wasn’t the best of times for me.

 

In true foodie fashion, dinner was the best part of the night.

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A small group of old classmates (we are now good friends) – myself, Mallory (my BFF), Greg (her husband), and Laura (another friend) – all met for a pre-reunion dinner at Bocado (887 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404-815-1399).

Thank god because the only food they served at the event was a cold tray of chicken nuggets.

 

Bocado has been on my “to try” list for far too long.  Several have contended that they serve the best burger in Atlanta; however, the other menus items are the real standouts.

 

My jalapeno-infused tequila cucumber martini was light and clean tasting.  The flavors were perfectly balanced – a great start to dinner on this hot day.

We enjoyed our drinks with a cheese plate made up of:

  • Purple Haze (goat, California)
  • Humboldt (goat, California)
  • Ewephoria (sheep, Holland)
The Ewephoria took the prize as the favorite, and the best named.

 

Our cheeses were served with radishes, cranberries, honey, and perfect crusty bread slices.  I say perfect because often toasted bread is so saturated in olive oil or butter that it becomes a chewy, greasy mess.  These slices were brushed with just enough olive oil to compliment the flavors.

For dinner Laura and I ordered small plates to share.

These were the best Fried Green Tomatoes I have EVER had.  Normally I’m not a huge fan due the the soggy, greasy nature of the dish.

The chef’s interpretation of the dish did not suffer from this affliction.  The tomatoes were cut into spears and battered in corn meal, leaving them crisp and relatively light.  They were served over a bed of greens and radishes with hot sauce and a buttermilk herb dressing.

Our Beet Salad was served in a bowl with farro, orange segments, fennel, toasted hazelnuts, avocado, and goat cheese.  The flavors played together quite well.

Toasted hazelnuts added a dimension to the more typical beet-orange-goat cheese combo.  I especially enjoyed the different textures – the crunch of the nuts with the slightly chewy farro and creamy avocado and goat cheese.

 

The Burrata was the one dish that I wasn’t impressed with.  The eggplant caponata on top was great, but the burrata itself was a bit too rubbery.  It was the only dish we didn’t finish.  However, it was served with a kalamata olive country toast that was delicious.

Our waiter highly recommended the Summer Squash Salad.  As advertised, it was very good.  My only complaint is the heavy hand on the olive oil.  The squash was delicious and the cherry tomatoes were some of the best I’ve had this season.

Mallory and Greg both ordered the infamous burger.  It was quite good.  As good as Holeman & Finch?  My vote is YES… but it’s very close.

The burger is served with house-made herbed french fries and a side of a buttermilk herb sauce.  I’m not a HUGE french fry eater and I could have eaten an entire plate of these.

For dessert we chose a Banana Bread Cake layered with chocolate ganache and cinnamon icing.

We hated it.

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Several other bloggers have begun posting recaps of the previous week’s workouts.  I love the idea – if for no other selfish reason than to have a reference for myself to look back at.

Workout Recap (6/20-26)

  • Monday – 4 mile run, 84 push-ups
  • Tuesday – P90X Ab Ripper X, 84 push-ups
  • Wednesday – Triceps/Chest, 3.5 mile run
  • Thursday – 4.5 mile run, 84 push-ups
  • Friday – P90X Ab Ripper X, 15 mile bike ride, 84 push-ups
  • Saturday – 5K, softball, 30 mins upper body weights, 84 push-ups
  • Sunday – Softball, P90X Ab Ripper X, 84 push-ups

***

I never was a cornflake girl…

Was high school a good experience for you?

Do you like when bloggers post workout recaps?


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