This Spaghetti Squash Pie is a healthier, delicious re-make of a childhood comfort food. Spaghetti squash replaces the noodles for a gluten-free meal the whole family will enjoy!
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My Family Is Strange But Good
I’ve been slacking on the #strangebutgood.
Really just the link up… life’s strange goodness continues.
I’m still not back home, so I have no recipe for you. I do have some observations and life happenings though!
How about I did a FlyWheel class with my baby sister an cousin, then took mom to the gym for a glute workout. My mom LOVES glutes. Really.
https://instagram.com/p/7_DZW0GjdL/
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Saying Good-Bye to My Childhood Home
I went MIA last week.
This week may be the same.
Vegas and I headed to Atlanta to help my mom pack up and move. This is the house my dad built when I was a year old. My mom, my sisters, and me have lived here the majority of our lives. Since my sisters and I all moved away and my dad died it’s just too big and empty for mamma.
That doesn’t make moving out of it any easier.
First thing’s first.
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Tagalong French Toast + A Broccoli Weekend
I could eat a box of Tagalongs in one sitting.
Thankfully I haven’t proven that, but I’m sure I could.
While I was snowed (iced) in last week, I decided to make myself a healthier version. One that I could eat an entire plate of. And I did.
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Mocha Mint Protein Muffins + Giveaway
M is for Monday.
I swear I didn’t plan this.
This weekend had an M theme, which happens to work really well for Katie’s Marvelous Monday link up. See what I did there? 😉
1. Meringues
My company is a cloud-based technology. Rather than handing out boring collateral like pens at the executive meeting, I ordered cloud-like meringue cookies! Dyed blue and stuffed in pumpkins for Halloween.
Thanks to Henri’s Bakery for doing a great job on this custom order – I’ve been going there since I was a kid!
NO, I didn’t eat one… 2 weeks to go!
2. Muscles
Speaking of 2 weeks to go, I had my second to last posting practice with my trainer before my competitions! I have never loved posing, but I’m learning to look forward these Saturday sessions – I get to spend the day posing and training with some of the most inspiring competitors around.
This Saturday’s session made me more excited than ever for these next competitions, and for the next year where I’m 100% committed to hardcore BUILDING. I love lifting.
3. Mom
This weekend was my mom’s birthday. She’s turning 29, once again. 😉
I was really excited to have her over for brunch. She opened presents and I made her my jicama nachos with shrimp, pico, yellow tomato, and #yolkporn. She save this #strangebutgood creation two thumbs up, which means the world since she is the one I have to thank for my love of food and creating in the kitchen.
4. Muffins
Not just any muffins. I accidentally made Mocha Mint Protein Muffins.
These were going to be a version of my coffee pancakes. I accidentally added too much egg, so I decided to bake them instead. This is what a Thin Mint would taste like as a muffin. Talk about an awesome mistake!
I used Dunkin Donuts’ seasonal Mocha Mint coffee, but you could use any flavor and add extracts. I added peppermint extract because the DD coffee isn’t actually very mint-y.
Mocha Mint Muffins
- 2 T oats
- 1 T coconut flour
- 1 T (10g) chocolate protein powder
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp no-salt baking powder
- 1/4 C egg whites
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee (I used mocha mint)
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 6-8 drops vanilla liquid stevia
- Optional: chocolate chips, cocoa powder, nuts
In a small bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and stir to combine.
Pour into prepared muffin tins and bake ~25 mins.
Makes 2 muffins (or 3 squares in my slightly smaller silicone mold).
Note: I learned that this recipe can be doubled when I made more to have for breakfast this coming week.
This mistake was even sweeter because it gave me a recipe to link up to Heather’s MMAZ. She told me seeds could count as nuts.
5. Munchies
It’s Halloween. You have candy coming out the you-know-what.
Just in case you want to give your blood sugar a break, I have a giveaway for one of my favorite bars. One of you will win a whole box of thinkThin High Protein Bars.
Normally a “thin” bar wouldn’t appeal to me; however, my dad actually got me into these. When he was getting chemo, all he wanted where the chocolate fudge bars. Random craving, right?
I came to love them. The 20g protein is perfect for a quick fix post-workout or on the run. It keeps you full, gives you a pop of energy, and has 0g of sugar. They’re also gluten-free!
My favorites right now are the Cookies ‘n Cream and the Chocolate Toffee Nut, but you can choose your own!
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I am literally back-to-back in meetings all week. Between that and gym time, blogging may be sporadic. Does anyone else think of Clueless when they use the word sporadic?
What is your favorite protein-filled snack to-go?
What was the last happy kitchen accident you had?
Never Was a Cornflake Girl
I never was a cornflake girl…
Except for that time in MBA school when I was voted prom king…
Please, someone get the Tori Amos reference.
On my 30th birthday, I was going to rebel and not post the typical “things I’ve learned.” But I guess I can be a bit of a joiner… here are 5 important lessons I’ve learned at the sage old age of 30:
1. Being Strange is GOOD
I wasn’t kidding – I wasn’t a cornflake girl. I never really fit in. That used to bother me, but – especially over the past 10 years – I’ve learned to embrace it. Being part of the crowd is boring. Love the things that make you unique!
This lesson was really driven home when I played roller derby. The ladies on my team and in my league 100% embrace what makes them who they are. They own it unapologetically, and I’m forever grateful for the experience (broken jaw and all).
2. Learn to Say NO
It’s can be a good thing to be a little selfish with your time. I find that I tend to commit to too many things, leaving little “down” time for myself. While it’s fun and I love being active, I also need time to chill.
This is something I continue to struggle with (and have failed at over the past couple of weeks), but I continue to learn the lesson and I know that in the long run not saying yes is better for everyone (grumpy, over-extended Laura is no fun to be around).
3. Be Sensitive to Others
This is a recent focus for me. I used to associate being sensitive with weakness. I was proudly selfish with more than my time. While I still think being selfish to some degree is a good thing (see #2), you can go too far to the extreme.
Unfortunately the reason I’ve been more aware lately is because there are a few people in my life who I felt hurt by. I always saw them as considerate, caring people, but I’ve recently struggled with some things and they sort of disappeared. It hurt my feelings, but it was a lesson I needed. It showed me that I was guilty of the same, and I’ve been working to modify that.
No more starting fires for me
4. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
This is something my dad constantly told me growing up. All of us do stupid things. We make mistakes. We’re goofy and imperfect. Laughing at yourself will save your sanity.
My sisters and I are polar opposites. We tap dance on each other’s last nerve. Like many of you, we’ve dealt with illness, loss, and fear. We get through it all and forgive. Someone farts in the middle of a heated debate and the room inevitably fills with laughter. And a foul smell.
5. Love Your Mother
She is the one person who will love you unconditionally and will do anything for you. She’ll drive across town at 2am when you have the stomach flu. She will forgive you even when you act like a complete asshole (not that I ever do that…). She will bathe you when you can’t lift your arms. She will understand that sometimes you just need a hug. She will go out of her way to make sure you celebrate turning 30 even when she feels like crap.
My mom rocks.
Mom, me, and my baby sis on my 29th birthday
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I had way too much fun going through old pics for this post. So many fun memories!
What are some of the most life valuable lessons you have learned?
If you could go back 10 (or more) years and tell your self something, what would it be? I’d tell my 20-year-old self not to be in such a rush to grow up!
