Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

5 on Friday + Vanilla Chai Frappuccino

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Life gets crazy.

 

I have about a million things that I ran out of time to do this week.  There are pictures on my computer of things I’ve been meaning to share with you all for weeks.  It’s embarrassing.

 

This Friday I am going to begin to catch up!  Here are 5 things I’m digging lately:

 

1. Dandy Blend

I won a bag of Dandy Blend in a giveaway from Tiffany @ Como Water.  It’s an herbal dandelion powder that supposedly has a coffee-like taste.

You know what?  It does!  Granted, it’s no replacement for your fancy Ethiopian blends… but for you non-fancy coffee drinkers and herbal drink lovers, I would recommend it.

 

 

The bag says to mix 1 rounded tsp with a mug of hot water.  That didn’t cut it for me.  I had to use 2 heaping tsp to get that coffee taste.  Hot “coffee” is good, but my favorite way to drink it was been mixed into other things.  Namely, mixed into a vanilla chai frappuccino.  (Recipe at bottom.)

Speaking of the frapp below…

 

2. Vanilla Chai Vega Nutritional Powder

Vega’s re-formulated Vanilla Chai also had a starring role in my  vanilla chai frappucchino.  I have previously tried Vega’s plant-based protein powder and didn’t care for it.  They did a great job on the reformulation!  I loved the 15g of protein to keep me full, and that it only contained 2g of sugar.

 

 

With many powders I find that the flavors are either too diluted or leave an artificial aftertaste – the new Vega doesn’t commit either crime.  It made an awesome chai-spiced cold drink to start out the crazy-winter-balmy 75 degree day!

 

3. Super Me! Wrist Cuff

This rockin’ cuff was ordered from Horse Feathers several weeks ago.

(Side note: Does any one else think “finger cuffs!” every time they hear the word cuff?  Chasing Amy reference?  Any one?)

 

 

Check out the website here.  They sell a bunch of different items and other cuffs with various quotes.  Mine says: “If I gotta be me, I’m gonna be super-me.”

They shipped fast and it arrived in a cute blue bag.  Sold.

 

4. So Delicious Chocolate Dairy-Free Ice Cream

This deliciousness is almost sugar-free – only 1g of sugar!!!  It was on sale (mind you, on sale meant it was still $5 a pint) at Whole Foods, so I treated myself.  My expectations were low… but OMG it is delicious!!!

 

 

 

5. YOU

You guys have been making me smile all week.

One of my new favorite bloggers, Lauren @ Oatmeal After Spinning made a variation of my Chili Nutty Tofu and declare it “perfection.”  If you haven’t tried baking tofu yet… you should! 🙂

Click here for my version (pictured below):

 

Click here for Lauren’s variation.

 

 

Gina @ Running to the Kitchen (Our blogs’ names should get married – no wonder I love her!) made my Vegan Goat Cheese-Stuffed Tomatoes.

I’m not one to brag (ok, I can be one to brag…), but these were damn good:

 

Click here to see Gina’s post, which includes some killer pics!  Read: much better than my iPhone efforts.

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Vanilla Chai Frappuccino

  • Vega Vanilla Chai protein powder
  • 2 heaping tsp Dandy Blend (or instant coffee, to taste)
  • 2 big kale leaves (optional)
  • Handful of wheatgrass (optional)
  • 1/2 c unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • Ice

 

Toss everything in your blender of choice, mix until smooth, and happily slurp away!

I topped mine with a few cacao nibs.  Whipped cream would have also been good. 😉

***

Crossfit update: I’m so sore that I actually did yoga yesterday.  I hate yoga.  It helped.

What’s the best new food/product/recipe you’ve tried lately?

Has anyone tried any of the above products?  I’d love to hear your opinions!

 

Long Weekend Butterflies

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In honor of the long weekend I took a little break.

 

Not from activity, just blogging.  Of course lots happened in the meantime!

 

1. I made it back from a whirlwind tour of the country.

 

2. As soon as I located my car at the airport (harder than it sounds when you leave if for a week), I was on my way to pick up my BFF for a post-baby “date” at one of Atlanta’s best restaurants – Restaurant Eugene.

Liquid deliciousness

 

3. After a morning run, I spent some QT with Mom.  Poolside.

 

4. Did a little shopping and went to dinner with the girls.  We shared everything – my favorite way to dine!

Appetizers

 

5. The next day I woke up to find that my PB&J Pancakes made the FoodBuzz Top 9!  Thanks to all who “buzz’d!!!”

 

 

6. I met my Italy travel companion and foodie friend for a little tennis before lunch… and we saw a pirate along the way.

 

7. After another epic trip to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market (a.k.a. Cook’s Heaven), we reconvened to grill up a tasty dinner.

 

8. No pics today… but I did get in a great 6.5 mile run.  70 degrees and drizzling rain – bad for my tan, perfect for my run.

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I was also honored by TWO fabulous ladies – Haley @ Oat Couture and Lisa @ Healthful Sense – with the Butterfly Award!

 

Check out their blogs if you don’t already!

Haley posts some of the best workouts I’ve seen yet.  Her stories are also fantastic – every time she recaps a night out with friends I’m convinced we were meant to be BFFs.

Lisa come up with some of the best “healthy” recipes on the web.  I recently made her Vegan Fudge Brownies and loved every bite!  She also has a beautiful family that I love reading about.

 

1. Name your favourite colour: Call me boring, but black is my favorite color.  Look in my closet if you don’t believe me.

 

2. Name your favourite song: I love music, so this is really hard.  I’m going to go with a stand by – Rhiannon by Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac fame).  Check her out in 1976:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py3w5fttedA

 

3. Name your favourite dessert: Anything chocolate and cake-like.  Like the S’mores Brownies I made.  Pass the fork and don’t even think about trying to steal a bite.

 

4. What wizzes you off:  Unsolicited opinions.  If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you.

 

5. When you’re upset you: I get mad – I’m not a crier.

 

6. Your favourite pet: Growing up we had a cat named Twinkle.  This cat was the best cat in the world.  As a kitten she would patiently let my sisters and me dress her in doll clothes.  As a grown cat who was introduced to the new dog she was tolerant and even shared a squirrel or two.  In college I cried like a small child when mom called to tell me she had to be put down. 🙁

 

7. Black or white:  See question #1

 

8. Your biggest fear:  Throwing up.  I had a phobia as a child and would call mom begging her to get me from school because I thought I’d be sick in public.  I’m not sure where that came from, but to this day I refuse to get sick.

 

9. Best feature:  I like my arms.  Thank you, push-ups.  I’m up to 100 now!

 

10. Everyday attitude: I’m echoing Haley… totally sarcastic, can get a little bitchy… but in a way that has a touch of humor.  I’m generally happy, but have little patience (hence, I can NEVER reproduce).  It’s possible that I annoy everyone around me with my enthusiasm for food.

 

 

11. What is perfection:  Perfection… no worries, total freedom to travel and explore different cultures.  Tasting menus.  Good friends.  Good wine.  Constant adventure and growth.

Food and wine while planning a food and wine trip.

 

12. Guilty pleasure:  Waffle House.  I have a love for chocolate chip waffles, hash browns (well-done), and the patrons of this fine establishment.

 

Now I have the honor of tagging 7 other people to share the same fun facts for the Butterfly Award!  In no particular order:

 

  1. Holly @ Healthy Everythingtarian
  2. Lee @ In My Tummy
  3. Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
  4. Sarah @ Smart Kitchen
  5. Parita @ My Inner Shakti
  6. Mary @ Bites and Bliss
  7. Corey @ Learning Patience

 

***

I’m enjoying my free Chick-fil-a breakfast this morning.  Mmmmm…

What was your favorite part of the long weekend?

Do you have a little shock when you have to return to work after 3 days off?  I do!

 

Happy Memorial Day

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Thankfully, Americans can turn anything into a food holiday.  I’m taking the day off to enjoy some BBQ time.  Hope everyone is enjoys some sunshine and good eats today!

Cheers to all those who have served to protect others.


Lessons From My Mom

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In honor of Mother’s Day and of my fantastic mom, I want to share a few nuggets of wisdom she has imparted over the years.

Alli, Mom, Madi, and Me

Mom’s Top 5

1. Eat the rainbow

Italian Stir-fry deliciousness made by Mamma

Aiming to eat a variety of colors each meal helps to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.  It also looks prettier (which I think is her real motivation).

Mom is an incredible cook.  I know everyone says that, but my mom really is!  She is solely responsible for my love of food, creating, and baking with reckless abandon.  For that, I am forever grateful.

Check out her Italian Stir-fry here!

 

2. Always bring an extra pair of undies

Because “you never know…”

 

3. Don’t be afraid to try something new

Me, Mom, and Madi post-race

 

Whether it be brussel sprouts, roller derby, or an accent wall, my mom always encouraged my sister’s and me to try new things.  You never know – you might like it!  (Yes Mom, you get an “I told you so” … I now LOVE veggies.)

Mom leads by example – she ran her first 5K this past Thanksgiving!

 

4. The Lord never gives you more than you can handle

Dinner in the Oakland Cemetery cooked by Richard Blais

 

She has certainly been tested!  Through pain and loss I could never imagine, my mom has persevered and come out smiling and laughing.  I’m so proud of her and all she accomplishes on a daily basis.

 

 

5. Patience is a virtue

With 3 daughters, my mom is a virtual saint. 

 

Happy Mother’s Day! ♥

I love you mostest, Tree!!!


***

I’m looking forward to giving Mom her gift and enjoying a big brunch!

How are you celebrating your mom today?


Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream

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Have you ever walked past a display in the produce section and been stopped in your tracks by a (good) smell?  Last night my nose located some fresh strawberries at the grocery store that I couldn’t resist.

It was enough to inspire a breakfast repeat (a rarity).  Strawberries and Cream Oats were just as amazing the second time around.

My brain cells pulled through again and I remembered Leanne’s recipe for Strawberry Ice Cream.

Shout out to Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit for keeping me in good supply of low-sugar treats (and for teaching me to spell pursuit… it’s just one of those words for me…).

I fully intended to make a nice, normal strawberry ice cream.  Then I spotted those pretzels and rekindled my romance with sweet + salty.

Shout out to my job for keeping me in good supply of Delta Airlines’ pretzels.

This Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream was quite tasty.  The pretzels were awesome in it.  Even if you don’t add them – *gasp* – do use a shake or two of salt to bring out the strawberry sweetness.

Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream

  • 3/4 C light coconut milk
  • 1/4 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 T maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp guar gum
  • 1 package of Delta pretzels, slightly broken up (probably 3-4 regular pretzels)

Combine all ingredients EXCEPT the pretzels in a blender and blend until smooth-ish (I left a few bits of strawberry).

Pour into ice cream maker and make as directed by manufacturer, adding pretzels in the last 1-2 minutes.

Scoop into 2 bowls and enjoy!  (One at a time.)

Notes:

– According to Leanne, you can do this without an ice cream maker by pouring into a bowl and freezing 1.5-2 hours.  You need to remove every 30 mins to whisk so it doesn’t make a strawberry ice cube.  You’d probably want to add the pretzels in the last 15-30 mins

– You could use agave, honey, or stevia rather than maple syrup to sweeten this

– You can probably do this without the Guar Gum.  It’s a thickener, so your ice cream will be more cream-like with it

***

The Royal Wedding is tomorrow!  Are you waking up to watch it?

I was going to resist… but I may do a strategically-timed-uncharacteristically-early morning workout.

Mango-Cucumber Lentil Salad

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Found on the packaging for a set of pots:

Creepy McCreeperson

The marketing person that approved this should be fired.  LOL!

 

Buuuut… who am I to talk?  I eat cold spinach-strawberry soup for breakfast.  And I like love it.

It’s not easy being green

I also think it’s funny to try on my bridesmaid dress (alteration success!) and send punk rock pics of myself to the bride-to-be:

All dressed up and no where to go

Welcome to my pre-5K Friday night:

  • Pasta/pizza dinner with my bestie
  • Trip to HomeGoods
  • Talk self out of unnecessary fro-yo trip
  • Download pics
  • Make sure bridesmaid dress alterations are correct
  • Cup ‘o tea
  • Watch movie bossman gave me – Glengarry Glen Ross

 

What 5K, you ask?  Welllll… I decided a couple of days ago to do it. By myself.  For no good reason.

File under: you might be a runner if…

So here I am at 6a on a Saturday morning drinking coffee, eating a banana, and blogging pre-race. Happy as a clam.

Earning this evening’s bachelorette party-dinner, one race at a time. 😉

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In case you’re trying to decide what to do with all of the produce you bought whilst at Whole Paycheck Foods, over-excited about spring… I have a good one for ya!

For that reason, this time of year is killer on my grocery budget (or lack thereof).  However, this meal is low cost, fairly quick to assemble, and can be made in advance (in fact, its even better on day 2 once the flavors meld).

 

 

Beluga Lentils with a simple vinaigrette, tossed with onion, jalapeno, mango, and cucumber.

 

Served up with a sweet potato, topped with coconut butter and roasted cinnamon.

True, that frozen soup was a decent lunch as far as frozen foods go.  But THIS was well-deserved after a week of quickie lunches.  There will be a repeat tomorrow.

 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mango-Cucumber Lentil Salad

  • 1/4 C beluga lentils
  • 1 1/4 C water
  • 1/4 C red onion
  • 1 jalapeno, seeds removed
  • Juice from 1/2 a lime
  • 1 T EVOO (is used basil-infused)
  • 1 T apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • S+P, to taste
  • 1 small mango (I used a champagne mango)
  • 1/2 cucumber

 

Rinse the lentils, then put them in a small pot with the water.  Bring to a boil, then simmer gently until lentils are cooked, ~25 mins.  They will be tender, but hold their shape.

Meanwhile, mince the garlic cloves & chop the onion very finely. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan, add the onion & garlic and cook over a very low heat until well softened but not coloured, about 10 – 12 minutes. Then remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, dice the onions, jalapeno, mango, and cucumber.  Place a small amount of EVOO in a pan and sauté onions until almost translucent, ~5 mins.  Add jalapenos and sauté 1-2 mins more (you want to mellow the flavor a bit without losing the crunch).

Whisk together the lime juice, EVOO, vinegar, cumin, and S+P.

When lentils are cooked, drain and place in a bowl to cool.  Pour the vinaigrette over the lentils and gently stir with a fork so that lentils are coated.

Mix in the mango and cucumber, season with S+P as needed.

Makes: 1 serving, easily multiplied

***

This rain may force an afternoon snooze for me!

Did you run a race today?  

If you are going out tonight (post-race?!), will you be taking a nap?

 

5 on the Friday

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Happy Friday!!! I was beginning to think it wasn’t coming this week.

 

Fantastic news from Tomorrow’s News Today – the makers of my favorite yogurt, Atlanta Farm Fresh, are partnering with the makers of my favorite frozen yogurt, 3 on the Tree.

 

Speaking of favorites… in honor of Friday, I thought I’d list my Top 5 Favorites of the week.

 

1. A shameless Waffle House stop with a foodie-friend

Pecan Waffle

 

2. A surprisingly good frozen meal for lunch

Frozen Soup… it even had a little kick!

 

3. Meeting Momma for Honeyed Pistachio, Vanilla, and Chocolate (on the bottom, thus not pictured) fro-yo from 3 on the Tree

Best. Yogurt. Ever. With pretzels, FTW.

 

4. Playing with Stevie and her new toy

She carried it around the house in her mouth. All night.

 

5. Cooking up a version of Katie’s Banana Baked Oatmeal

Oats in a ramekin

 

Banana Baked Oatmeal

  • 1/3 cup oats
  • Shake of salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 very-ripe banana, mashed
  • 1/4 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 4-5 blackberries
  • Toasted almonds

The night before this will be devoured, combine oats, salt, and cinnamon.  Mix in mashed banana, milk, vanilla, and blackberries.  Pour into a ramekin, cover, and refridgerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Remove cover from oatmeal mix and sprinkle with almonds.  Bake for 20 mins, until firm and slightly browned on top.

Let cool (patience is hard, but your tongue will appreciate it) and enjoy!

***

Is it just me or did this seem like the LONGEST week ever?!

What were your top 5 this week?


A thru Z

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It’s a rainy, lazy Saturday.  At least I WISH I could be lazy.  

 

Alas, there are errands to run.

I woke up to 2 awesome surprises this morning:

  1. Angela @ Oh She Glows included my Wild Mushroom Soup in her Recipe Link Love post this morning.  Thank you, Angela!
  2. Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit gave me a shout out for my version of her Overnight Banana Pudding.  If you haven’t tried this yet, you are missing out.  So.  Good.

In conclusion, the theme of the day is “It’s all about meeeeee!”  I kid, I kid.

However, I did complete the A-Z thing that everyone else is posting. Because I’d probably jump off the bridge too… LOL!

A-Z Survey

A. Age: 27  (Though at the beginning of each new year, I go ahead and tack a year on myself.  I’m 28 in my head.)

B. Bed size: Double.  I’m cozy with myself. 🙂

C. Chore you dislike: Cleaning the shower.  It overwhelms me for some reason.

D. Dogs: I’m a cat person all the way.

E. Essential start to your day: COFFEE.  Black.  Like my favorite…

F. Favorite color: If you look in my closet, you’d say it is black.  If it’s not black, it’s blue (that would make a great derby t-shirt!).

G. Gold or silver: Platinum!  Oddly, I’m sensitive to metals and can only wear sterling silver or platinum.

H. Height: 5 ft, 2 and 3/8ths inches!

I. Instruments you play(ed): At one point I could play Green Day’s “Good Riddance” on the guitar.  That’s as far as I could get… but I do LOVE music.

J. Job title: Consultant

K. Kids: Ahem.  I figured out what causes that.

L. Live: In the fabulous city of Atlanta.  The safe part.


M. Mom’s name: Lynda (a.k.a. “Tree“)

Tree + Apple

 

N. Nicknames: Apple (to Mom’s “Tree“), La, Wa Wa (my baby sis couldn’t say my name growing up), Layla (derby name)

O. Overnight hospital stays: When I was a baby I got a flu and had to stay in the hospital with an IV in my head… that’s it, knock on wood!

P. Pet peeves: People eating my expensive frozen meals out of the office fridge, slow drivers, pet owners who don’t pick up their dog’s poo, rude servers, bad coffee

Q. Quote from a movie: ‘Cheer up Riz, hickey’s from Kenickie’s are like a Hallmark card…’ – Grease… is the word.

R. Righty or lefty: Lefty power!  Odd fact: I play tennis with both hands (i.e. I have no backhand; I just switch hands)

S. Siblings: 2 little sisters – Allison and Madison

T. Time you wake up: Anytime between 7-830a (thank you, Sleep Cycle app).  I try to sleep in on the weekend, but never make it past 9a.

U. Underwear:  Yes.  But not with my PJs.  I prefer Victoria’s Secret. Despite the fact that every time I love a style, they discontinue it.

#winning

 

V. Vegetables you don’t like:  Potatoes (except sweet potatoes), cooked broccoli and carrots (love them raw!)

W. What makes you run late:  LOL!  I just posted about this.  Common culprits: taking pics of my food, blogging, good guests on GMA, bad hair days

X. X-rays you’ve had:  Teeth, knee 3x (only broken once), jaw (broken in 2 places)

 

Y. Yummy food you make:  Black bean brownies, ganache-filled cupcakes, white bean dip, soups (thank you, broken jaw), crazy salads.  Check out my recipe page for more!

Sinfully good

 

Z. Zoo animal favorites:  Anything in the cat family!  However, I don’t really like the zoo… cages make me sad.

***

Who else gave in to the A-Z?  Do share!


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