Marvelous Piña Mezcalita

June 24, 2013 By Laura

Smokey booze is fun.

Ok, all booze is fun.

My friend Karen was nice enough to invite me to a little Mexican-themed dinner party last week. I think there was a basketball game on too… but that’s of little interest to me. Is it football season yet?!

Mom taught me never to show up empty-handed, so I brought one of my favorite summer salads – Watermelon Cotija. With its salty cheese, sweet melon, and a little bite from onion and jalapeno, I think it qualifies as #strangebutgood.

BUT being creative in the kitchen doesn’t have to stop with food. You need libations to go with it! Margaritas are the natural pairing with Mexican… that’s a little too normal for me.

What I came up with is a sort of pineapple margarita, but rather than tequila, I used its smokier cousin Mezcal. Like tequila, mezcal is made from agave. It differs in that for mezcal the agave is usually roasted in rock-lined pits, which give it a fantastic smokiness. I like to say that it’s Mexico’s version of scotch.

In this mezcalita, the flavor is balanced with sweet grilled pineapple and a lightly sweetened limeade. I like a boozier drink, but if you like yours on the sweeter side you can add agave or even some orange juice. You can also just use tequila if you don’t like smoke. 🙂

We did eat something other than the salad and the drink! Karen grilled chicken, peppers, and onions in a fantastic homemade cilantro sauce. It was delicious with her sides of Mexican rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, corn tortillas, and cheese.

You never leave Karen’s house hungry. And that, my friends, is marvelous.

Check out Katie’s link up to see what else is marvelous on this Monday!

Piña Mezcalita

1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1″ slices
1 jalapeño, sliced
¼ cup cilantro leaves
2 C mezcal
15 oz limeade (I used Odwalla)
1/2 C lime juice
Optional: agave syrup or other sweetener

First, grill the pineapple. Heat a nonstick grill pan over high heat, or heat an outdoor charcoal or gas grill to high. Place the pineapple slices flat on the grill, and cook, flipping once, until charred on both sides (~4 mins). Remove from pan and let cool completely.

Place the grilled pineapple, jalapeño, and cilantro in a pitcher. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, crush fruit and herbs until broken down.

Fill with ice, and then add mezcal, lime juices, and syrup (if using). Stir well and pour into glasses filled with ice, to serve.

***

I know that’ first shot isn’t the ~~breast~~ best pic… did you catch the one I posted on Facebook this weekend?

Did your parents teach you to never show up as a guest empty-handed?

Have you ever had mezcal? What is your favorite Mexican food or drink?

Rocky Road Berry Coconut Bites

June 17, 2013 By Laura

It’s no secret that I like balls.

“Girls have got balls. They’re just a little higher up that’s all.” ~Joan Jett

I’ve made several balls in the past. Vegan “Meat” Balls, Champagne Cake Balls, Biscoff Dough Balls… ball jokes… ~~I’m a 12-year-old boy at heart.~~

But the BEST balls ever are made by my kindred-blogger spirit, Lindsay. She is more mature than I am, so she gracefully calls them Bites.

Heather, Me, and Lindsay

In case you haven’t figured it out, today’s guest post is from this lovely lady… and she’s sharing her ~~balls~~ bites with all of you!!!

Thank you, Lindsay, for sharing your Rocky Road ~~Balls~~ Healthy Bites and making everyone’s Monday more Marvelous! Read on for the recipe, and check out Katie’s link up to see what else is marvelous on this Monday!

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Hi there friends. My name is Lindsay Cotter and I blog over at Cotter Crunch.

I’m a pro triathlete’s wife, nutrition manager/fitness consultant, kombucha lover & wanna-be wino who has a joyous passion for GLUTEN FREE cooking!

It’s funny, this is my blog title and sub-title and yes, it really does describe my life. No lie. I also make a lot of Strange but Good Cotter Creations, which is why Laura and I get along so well. Plus she is my brother from another mother. Am I right Laura? (Editor’s note: Ummm… YES!)

OK OK, enough of my rambling intro. Let’s get this post started, shall we?

So, the main reason I blog is support my husband. We’ve created this dream together. A dream to pursue HIS professional triathlon career and I get to play wing man woman, or is it wing wife? Either way, I’m by his side.

I’d say my best support comes through food and fueling. I’m good at feeding that man, or so I like to think. 🙂

In an effort to help James (aka the hubs) fuel properly for pre and post workout, I started making him healthy bites. What are Healthy Bites? Glad you asked.

Healthy Bites are my take on functional gluten-free bite sized “ball” snacks. Each bite is made with natural, gluten-free, and mostly organic ingredients.

What started off as a little healthy snack option for me and my husband has now turned into my own little business.

I am passionate about it and want to share these bites with others…kids, athletes, on the go mom’s, food allergy folks, and more!

My mission is to make gluten-free and process free food that actually tastes really good.

Sheesh, do I sound like an infomercial or what? Haha. (Editor’s note: But they really are that good!!!)

Anyway, today I wanted to share with you one of my STRANGE but GOOD Healthy Bites recipes. It might not be strange to some of you, but it is a rather ODD mix of ingredients.

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Rocky Road Berry Coconut Bites

1 heaping cup of Vegan Marshmallows (I use the ones at Whole Foods chicago Vegan Foods Brand)
2 tbsp. 100% cocoa
2 heaping tbsp peanut flour (can also use coconut flour, ground up peanuts, etc.)
1 serving Berry Protein (Vega Smoothie blend is good here)
2 tbsp. Food for Life Vegan Chocolate chip Minis (Can also use carob chips or 100% dark chocolate chips)
1-2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut (shredded)
3-4 tbsp. of preferred nut butter
¼ cup honey
2-4 tbsp crushed nuts (optional)
Optional: cocoa or coconut extract

Grind up your marshmallows in a blender or food processor first. If you have large chocolate chips, go ahead and blend them up with the marshmallows as well. If you are using minis, there is no need, just mix in. Make sure you grind up the rest of your dry ingredients as well.

Transfer into a large bowl and add in nut butter, flours, protein, coconut, and agave. Mix well, and then roll into balls/bites.

Makes around 10-12 bites.

I then like to roll each of them in some extra coconut and/or cocoa. Freeze right away then store in fridge or freezer to maintain freshness. Store for up to 6 weeks. YUM!!

Well folks, that’s all I got for now. I hope you get to make these. If so, please let me know how they turn out.

You can see more recipes in my BOOK of BITES eBook, which is on the side bar of my site. Or if just feel like spending $, cause let’s face it, we all like to at times, feel free to order some yourself from me. I ship!

Pretty BALLER, eh? (pun intended)

Cheers,

***

If I felt better I’d make inapporpriate jokes about my “procedure” and balls.

If you could have any flavor Healthy Bite, what would it be? Lindsay custom made me Reese’s balls!

What is making your Monday marvelous?

Tempeh Mole Muffins

May 20, 2013 By Laura

Deciding on food is hard.

There are so many tasty options!

I saw 2 recipes I wanted to try (well, 3 really)… so I just made them all into 1 for an over-achieving Meatless Monday recipe!

This week we are supposed to choose a recipe someone else linked up using last week’s secret ingredient, dark chocolate. Hopefully Heather will forgive me for bending the rules a little. Especially since the first recipe I was inspired by was her own Tempeh Protein Muffins!

My version of the Tempeh Muffins

Inspiration recipe #2 was from the link up – Sarah’s Cinnamon Cocoa Mole with TVP Chorizo. She used her mole as a sauce for her chorizo… but I decided to mix it all in one, and use tempeh. And make muffins. Don’t you love the creative process?!

I’d made Seiten Chorizo in the past, so here I used that recipe and Sarah’s to inform my mix of spices. If you try this recipe, feel free to play around and change it up to suit your palate. My combo was a smokey, savory mole with a fun swirl of sweetness throughout thanks to the sweet potato.

I ate my mole muffins with a Mexican-inspired salad. Local arugula with red bell pepper, raw zucchini, and a drizzle of lime juice.

Lastly, I chopped up a few plantain slices I broiled with coconut oil, cayenne, and cinnamon.

Don’t forget to check out Heather’s link up to see what everyone else made this week. I wonder if anyone braved my Chocolate Avocado Cookies???

I think this ia all pretty marvelous… and I know my Diva girl, Katie would agree, so I’m joining her link up again this week! Check out all the Monday marvelousness:

Katie… we missed you this weekend at Blend!!!

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Tempeh Mole Muffins

8 ounces tempeh
1/4 C egg whites (or 1 flax egg)
Juice from 1/2 lime
1 T nutritional yeast
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, minced
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 C mashed sweet potato

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray & set aside.

place tempeh, egg, and lime juice in a food processor and pulse (I used my Vitamix). Add all remaining ingredients and pulse until mixed. Manually stir in sweet potato, leaving chunks throughout mixture.

Divide batter evenly between 6 muffin containers. Bake for 15 minutes, or until browned and set. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Using a knife, loosen the muffin edges from the pan and transfer to wire rack or plate.

Approximate nutritionals (per muffin): 108 calories, 3.4g fat, 29.7g sodium, 11g carbohydrates, 4.8g fiber, 1g sugar, 8.7g protein

***

I’m still smiling from the marvelous Blend Retreat this weekend! I can’t wait to recap it all for you!!! 🙂

Have you ever made your own mole? Chorizo?

Do you make an effort to go meatless on Mondays?

Strawberry Cornmeal Protein Pancakes

May 13, 2013 By Laura

A weekend without plans never happens for me.

I have such good intentions to relax…

This weekend it happened. And it was because I made a mistake. I thought for WEEKS that this weekend was the Food & Wine Festival. Last year it was on Mother’s Day weekend. This year it apparently is NOT. So suddenly I had a whole weekend, wide open. And it was marvelous.

Of course I worked out. My kickboxing streak continued with a lunchtime class on Friday. I rocked some shorts that may have more personality than I do.

I received these funky green bottoms from YMX as part of being a FitFluential Ambassador. More than the unique look, what makes YMX workout gear special is the fabric they use. It’s called MadKool fabric. It’s meant to regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm in cool weather and cool when you’re hot. The boxing gym is HOT. The fabric was as-advertised… AND it was so light and comfortable I felt like I wasn’t even wearing bottoms. Strange… but good. 😉

Totally asked the instructor to take a pic of me. At least I waited until AFTER class! #shameless

To get your own naked-feeling YMX gear click here. You move like a butterfly and sting like a bee comfortably too! Try this quick circuit:

100 jab-crosses
10 burpees
100 upper cuts
50 mountain climbers
20 Side kicks (each side)

Repeat ~~until you pass out~~ 3-5x.

After that you should refuel! To be honest I was a little mad at Lindsay when I received my first order of Healthy Bites. They are so amazing… I was pissed she didn’t MAKE me try them earlier. I swear I’m not just saying that.

These bites are the most delicious snack I’ve had in recent memory. They are filled with good, clean ingredients, they’re low-sugar, and they’re gluten-free.

My custom order included a protein-laced Reeses flavor, Cinnamon Biscotti, Coconut Caramel, and Birthday Cake. They are all amazing… but the Reeses were my top pick. Or the Cinnamon. Tough choices!!!

They are almost gone. Whoops!

Sunday I hung out with my amazing mom and grandmother. Mom is truly a rock. I owe my passion for food and for being active to her.

Before I left her house, my mom and my grandmother asked me to make them overnight oats to have in the morning! I made an oatmeal version of my Cherry Ginger Smoothie.

I’m a terrible blogger and forgot a pic… but I’ll ask her to send me one to post on Instagram tomorrow. 🙂

Speaking of IG… I also reached a marvelous milestone. My 2000th picture on Instagram!

Eggs from my local farmer’s market. If you’ve never had a farm-fresh egg, you must hunt them down. The difference in taste is astounding. They are more flavorful, the yolks are bright orange, and they make the best runny yolks.

These eggs were first used in my favorite way… #yolkporn! I cracked one into half a pre-roasted kabocha squash and put it under the broiler for a few minutes.

Served over a bed of arugula and smoked salmon with Greek yogurt cream cheese (made by Atlanta Farm Fresh, purchased at Whole Foods).

They also make killer pancakes. The creamy, dreamy pancakes below are laced with local strawberries and hints of lemon and then topped with sautéed berries and toasted coconut. I die.

Strawberry Cornmeal Protein Pancakes

2 T cornmeal
1 T vanilla protein powder
1/4 tsp sodium-free baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 egg (or 1/4C egg whites)
1/4 C fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
2 T water
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 butter extract (optional)
6-8 drops lemon liquid stevia (or preferred sweetener)
2 large strawberries, mashed
Optional toppings: syrup, toasted coconut, strawberries

Heat a non-stick pan medium heat and coat with cooking spray (I used coconut oil).

To a medium-sized bowl, add cornmeal, protein, baking powder, and cinnamon and stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk egg white until foamy. Add yogurt, water, extracts, and stevia and stir well.

Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in mashed strawberries.

Spoon batter onto pan and cook 3-4 mins per side or until they begin to bubble on top.

Add toppings and enjoy!

***

It’s also Meatless Monday! Check out all the links at Heather’s blog using this week’s ingredient: Dark Chocolate. I’m linking my #strangebutgood Chocolate Avocado Cookies from Friday!

Have you ever had farm eggs?

How did you celebrate Mother’s Day?

Marvelous Mandible Monday

May 6, 2013 By Laura

Let the food obsession begin.

Oh wait… that started at birth.

I had fully intended to do a recap of this weekend’s competition today… but I’m a little tired and still processing. It’s a huge build up to the event and then it happens… and you feel a little lost when it’s over. Does that make sense? Not that I’m not doing more (I am!). I’m just taking it all in.

For now, I just want to say that I am honored and overwhelmed by everyone’s support via comments, emails, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… this blogging community really is just that – a community. I felt that 100% this weekend. THANK YOU!!

So in the meantime, let’s talk about food! I mean, that’s the MOST marvelous thing about completing the cutting process, right? 😉

After pre-judging I had a little treat – Barney Butter! Kristina swore by it and I’m glad I trust her. This almond butter packet of deliciousness was the smoothest, most fantastic nut butter I’ve never out in my mouth. Absence makes the heart grow weirder.

Do my teeth look oddly large in this pic?

After the show itself, my team headed to a fantastic restaurant in Columbia, SC called The Oak Table. It was absolutely perfect – kind of tucked away in a large building, it had a speakeasy feel to it. Our server was very accommodating, even if we did walk in 30 mins before closing and looking… well, a little like drag queens with our stage make up, fake lashes and glow-in-the-dark orange spray tans.

We downed a couple of draaanks, duck, seared scallops, NY strip steak, roasted mushrooms, salad, a butterscotch bread pudding with salted caramel popcorn and smoked cinnamon ice cream, and homemade s’mores. The food was all phenomenal, but in the end the simplest pleasure won my heart – truffled frites with shaved smoked gouda. And water. Lots and lots of water.

By the time we got back to the hotel and I did the best I could to scrub off the spray tan and bikini bite, it was 1am. I passed out.

Only to wake up at 8am starving and thirsty. I managed to soothe myself with water and slept another 1.5 hours… but them breakfast needed to happen. I was hangry for a ~~trashy~~ favorite: Waffle House.

Chocolate chip waffle topped with runny egg

I like to dip my waffle in coffee. It’s redneck biscotti. 😉

If you thought my trainer would be a better food-influence, you’d be wrong.

On the ride home I enjoyed another (much classier) favorite: Ginger-Peach Greek Yogurt by Atlanta Farm Fresh. I’m not sure you can find it outside of Georgia, but in Atlanta you can get it at Whole Foods and some Kroger stores.

It’s the best flavored yogurt out there. Try the Peach-Ginger and the Port-Cherry. And the plain, too.

We got back to Georgia and I went straight to the Farmer’s Market – didn’t even go home first! I didn’t have a list – I just bought everything that looked good. Lots of veggies, pineapple, eggs, crab, sea bass… and injera!

Injera is Ethiopian bread. It sounds fancy, but it’s really just teff flour and water left to ferment for a few days before being cooked in pancake-fashion. The finished product is a little sour and sponge-y in texture. I know that doesn’t sound terrible appealing, but it really is good!

There may have also been a trip to Whole Foods involved… I was craving my favorite Roots hummus!

When I got home with all my loot, I made a strange but good snack: injera with chipotle hummus, spinach, and crab. What the belly wants, the belly gets!

So there you have it. A little bit of what’s been making my mandible-parts smile in this Marvelous Monday.

Check out my favorite diva’s (Katie) blog to see what’s Marvelous is everyone else’s Monday!

***

I’m still overwhelmed. Thank you again… I promise the recap will be coming as soon as my head stops spinning. 🙂

What marvelous thing has you smiling today?

Have you ever felt a little lost when a big event comes and goes?

What’s Driving My Marvelous (Monday)

April 29, 2013 By Laura

No one likes regrets.

Especially when it involves wearing a bikini on stage in front of a lot of people.

My favorite uncle likes to say:

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, oh what a merry Christmas we’d all have.

My goal is to go into Saturday’s figure competition without thinking “if only I had…” or “but I should have…” No regrets. That’s what’s driving me right now, even though I’m tired, busy, and really hate running sprints.

That’s not entirely true… I have a lot of fantastic friends whose encouragement also drives me. After this post where I admitted to be being busy and more than a little overwhelmed, Jody reminded me that what I’m doing is not easy and I need to give my body time to recover. So I took my first bath in years.

Then, after a particularly hard-to-motivate-for run (I’m doing sprints daily now), Heather took the time to encourage me. She is the queen of training and balancing a busy life (and running), so I especially appreciate her props.

Note: I’m kidding about the fat and happy. I chose this and I AM happy. These last couple of weeks just get hard.

Something else that can drive a workout is new stuff. So often we think of treating ourselves with food, but new clothing or “toys” can do it too!

This weekend I took myself shopping and got new eye cream, eyeshadow primer, 2 new tops, a bra (so badly needed), and my first EVER top from Lulumon. I didn’t get a pic, but it’s this one.

I also brought my own marvelous lunch to the mall: a crumbled Indian-spiced bison burger, sweet potato cubes, broccoli slaw, and red pepper. I held it up proudly for a pic infront of Victoria’s Secret. ~~Bison and Boobs.~~

As much fun as spending money on yourself can be, free stuff is even more awesome. Thanks to Fitfluential and Reebok, I had the opportunity to try out these Bose SIE2i headphones (as always – my opinions is my OWN).

Let me just say these ROCK. I didn’t even know what I was missing out on until getting these high quality ear buds… it was like surround sound in my ears!

Bonus: They aren’t PINK

How do Reebok and Bose go together? They partnered to release first ever Bose in-ear headphones specifically engineered for exercise. Their features are designed with workouts in mind. Click here for a video with more detail on the technology.

Here is what I liked:

They are sweat proof – there was NO sliding about in my ears even when I was sprinting
They didn’t give me a headache. In the past I’ve had some ill-fitting buds that were so uncomfortable I had a headache by the end of my workout. These still felt great 2 hours later!
The buds come with 3 sizes (small, medium, and large), and the small actually fit me
The shorter cable doesn’t get in the way of movement while lifting, but there is an extension cord for when you need length (I used it so I could place my iPhone on the treadmill while running sprints)
There is a remote in the cord that allows you to easily change songs and adjust volume (you can also take calls, but who doesn’t that during a workout?!)

It also came with a stretchy armband to holds your iPhone, but I didn’t use it. I am looking forward to using it when I do some running this summer – it even has a separate pocket for keys! For lifting, I can’t stand having something strapped to my arm. My pythons need ROOM. LOL!

The downside? At $149.98, they are pricey. Here’s how I look at it: I spend 1-2 hours everyday working out. It’s worth every cent if it makes that experience more enjoyable and comfortable. That means a better workout for me, so I consider it another investment in my fitness.

Lastly, the ultimate driver: Progress. It’s not big. But I do believe that is a booty:

Do these Bose headphones make my butt look big? 😉

It may not look like much, but it’s a BIG improvement after a lot of work. I dislike sprints, but I really hate having a pancake butt or a saggy ass. So sprints it is! I can do anything for 5 (more) days.

And all of this is what’s making my Monday Marvelous. Thank you for another week starting out right, Katie!

***

One more bit of awesome – 2 separate friends sent me their progress shots this weekend. I was flattered that they trusted me enough to share those proud (scantily clad) moments!

Do you make a conscious effort to live life with no regrets?

Are good headphones important to you? What is your fitness “splurge” item? Lulumon? 😉

Cauliflower & Eggplant Curry

April 15, 2013 By Laura

Curry leaves have been a mystery to me.

This only means it’s a #strangebutgood creation WAITING to happen.

This actually isn’t so strange. It’s just outside of my culinary comfort zone (yes, I do have one). I’ve always loved using Indian spiced in my dishes. Ginger is a staple – I once made this Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry every night for a week.

At restaurants, I love to order the curry; however, I’ve never tried my hand at making my own. Having seen curry leaves at my local farmer’s market, my curiosity finally got the best of me. Curry dinner = ON.

Curry leaves sort of look like bay leaves. This begs several questions: Do you eat them? Are they just for flavor? Do you decorate with them? Can you dry them?

It turns out, you can eat them. And they don’t have to be fried in oil first (a popular preparation in Indian restaurants). I also read that you can freeze them. I’ll have to report on that later.

Back to my dish. It was amazing. I know it’s wrong to brag… but seriously. I wish I had made 3 pots of this stuff. Actually, I kind of did. This is by far my most-tested recipe. ~~How come research wasn’t this much fun in college?~~

I worried about the flavors – there are a lot of spices in this! Too much of this, not enough of that… and finally… juuuuust right! I was amazed. The list is long, but it does come together quickly. Just line up your spices and dump ’em in the pot! The curry leaves add an awesome dimension, but if you can’t find it don’t worry. These spices are enough to stand alone.

I’ve made this several times now, with full-fat coconut milk and with the light stuff. It is still ok with light, but it’s 100x more flavorful with the real deal. You can also use different veggies and protein. I’m a huge cauliflower fan, so that’s been my favorite. The recipe below uses Swordfish, but I like it just as much with Escolar (fish) , chicken, and tempeh.

Like all good meals, this is best enjoyed with a good friend (who gave her stamp of approval) on a patio followed by a walk in the sunshine. Spring has sprung.

These leftovers are what’s making my Monday Marvelous.

That plus a hair cut and a clean house (a.k.a. best money I ever spent). 😉

Cauliflower & Eggplant Curry

1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp fenugreek
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
1/4 C red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 inch piece fresh ginger, minced
10 curry leaves
1/2 C tomato paste
1/2 large eggplant, diced (~1.25 cups)
8 oz Swordfish (or other protein)
1/2 C coconut milk
200 g cauliflower florets (~1 small head)

Place the dry spices in a medium-size pot and toast over medium heat until fragrant, ~2-3 mins or until they start to pop.

Add the onion, jalapeno, garlic, and ginger. Stir to coat in spices and cook until the onion is soft. Stir in the curry leaves and tomato paste.

Add fish and eggplant to the sauce. Pour in the coconut milk and cook until the eggplant is soft and fish is cooked through (~7-8 mins).

Finally, add in the cauliflower florets. Season and cook for a few more minutes until tender.

Spoon into plates and enjoy!

Makes 2-3 servings.

Note: This could easily be made vegan by eliminating the fish, or using lentils or tempeh instead.

***

Last week is was Indian Bison Burger creations, this week curry… my sister’s in India and it apparently causes me to crave Indian food. LOL!

What recipe have you worked the hardest on to perfect?

Do you like Indian food? Have you ever had curry leaves?

Spring is Marvelous

April 8, 2013 By Laura

Something about Spring makes life better.

Until the pollen hits.

Last week I was in a bit of a funk. It was rainy and cold, I was tired… but spring arrived just in time for the weekend! I want to carry over this weekend weather high into the week, and Katie’s Marvelous in My Monday link up is my favorite way to focus on the good and start the week out right!

Almost everything involved the outdoors – something I’d forgotten how much I love!

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There’s only one right way to start the weekend – pancakes! I made Heather’s Peanut Butter Cookie pancakes and topped them with a fresh strawberry sauce. My only change to her recipe was to omit the rice flour and reduced the liquid to 1/3 C. They were perfect!

With the spring berries on top, it was like PB&J cookies for breakfast.

Those pancakes fueled the best workout I’d had in DAYS. This week in the gym I had just not been feeling it. I’d be half way through a workout coaxing myself with post-workout foods if I finished.

Not only did I have a great shoulder/glute day in the weight room, but I was feeling so good I decided to run some sprints before heading home. Those sprints are great for the glutes and I could feel it the next day!

After than calorie torch, I made myself a massive Carrot Cake Smoothie… I needed some cool-down fuel because I then met Carol and her puppy for a 6 mile walk in the park!

I don’t know how we walked so long – I was already tired. We just started talking and the time FLEW by!

We parted ways and I headed home for a (much-needed) shower before meeting a friend for dinner.

I don’t know about you, but my #1 favorite thing about spring is patios. Sitting outside with my flip-flops on, a teensy sunburn, and a margarita makes me happy. Simple pleasures.

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Sunday I woke up early (read: before 9am on a weekend) to play softball. We won both games! Our team is undefeated in a men’s league. Hahaha! 🙂

I didn’t have time to make Sunday morning bacon… but my favorite meat-treat still managed to make a cameo.

Sunday is also my grocery store and meal prep day. I hauled my sweaty, dusty self (#sorryimnotsorry) to the farmer’s market and Whole Foods for the weekly stock up. No real diet changes yet, but the competition is coming up fast and next week it will be lock down time.

Despite having bags of groceries from 2 stores, I made it up to my condo in one trip. I saw this on Pinterest, which perfectly captures the moment. Please tell me I’m not the only person who is this stubborn:

I also bought myself flowers. Flowers go a long way in brightening up my week, especially when I work from home. It’s nice to look over and see their natural brightness after staring at a computer screen for hours!

Besides, if I waited for someone else to do it I’d be waiting a looong time. 😉

Another favorite of mine in the warm weather is watermelon. After a long 2 days in the sun, I was happy to have a refreshing watermelon salad… and finally, my Sunday bacon.

Sweet, salty, and a little earthiness from the beets. It’s the perfect spring salad! #strangebutgood

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Watermelon, Beet, & Bacon Salad

1 C watermelon, diced
1/4 C beets, roasted and diced
2 strips crispy bacon
Cilantro, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

***

My teensy sunburn got worse on Sunday. I forgot that with spring comes the need for sunscreen. #fail

Do you ever buy yourself flowers?

What is your favorite part about spring?

Marvelous Piña Mezcalita

Piña Mezcalita

Rocky Road Berry Coconut Bites

Rocky Road Berry Coconut Bites

Tempeh Mole Muffins

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