Beer is Kosher for Passover

Well that was a fun weekend! I hope you all had a great Easter if you celebrate. I continued my Passover.. celebrations? Sort of.. I just couldn’t go to Mikkeller and not get beer. Ha! At least I haven’t had bread and grains, right?

When I was little, I was telling my family what I had for lunch at school during Passover and mentioned that I had onion rings but only ate the outside. My older brother was pleased to point out that I only ate the breading. I still get made fun of! Passover officially ends Tuesday at sundown so I’ll continue to keep the spirit until then.

Anywho, Friday night we went into San Francisco and met up with a couple Fit Approach-ers at Mikkeller before heading over a sketch comedy show. It was our first time heading into the city at night and we made it taking public transportation and all. Win! I was really bad about taking any pictures that night though.. whoops.

Saturday I had plans with Alyse to go to a new VinBata class and somehow [after a couple drinks] Friday night she convinced me to go to the UrbanKick class before that. I’m so glad I went because they were both so fun! I’m not used to taking classes having a gym in my apartment complex so it was a really fun change of pace.

UrbanKick was a full hour of nonstop moving.. think Zumba with a kickboxing twist. Loved it! VinBata was really great too; it started with a few minutes of yoga warmup, then into about 25ish minutes of tabata training, and ended with 25ish minutes of vinyasa. I was completely squatted out after UrbanKick so the tabata part was rough but it was really nice to end with some good stretching.

Alyse, Rocky [the VinBata instructor], and me.

Nathan and I were both beat Saturday night so we just stayed local and tried a new pizza joint. Luckily for me, most of the pizza places also have other great options on the menu so I got a really good salmon fix.

Yesterday was a lazy day. I had the idea of going hiking just to get outside but we both weren’t feeling it so instead, we had more beer! We went over to Cato’s for lunch where they were having an adult Easter egg hunt. The egg that Nathan found got us a chocolate and a free beer. Heyooooo! Obviously because we chose the healthy option, we decided to take a post-lunch walk.. for gelato 😉

We split a cardamom orange zest and it was amazing. So much flavor on such a small spoon! Oh, and you know, in case you missed this on my Instagram feed yesterday..

Weekly Menu Plan

Sunday – Grilled chicken with zucchini fritters & pasta [for Nathan]/guacamole [for me]
Monday – Vegan bolognese.. except with ground turkey 😉 over zucchini noodles
Tuesday – Chipotle-style chicken rice/salad bowls with homemade salsa
Wednesday – Leftovers
Thursday – Parmesan-crusted chicken with shaved brussels sprouts salad
Friday – Out!
Saturday – Green harissa chicken stir fry rice bowl

Food for Thought

What’s your favorite class that you’ve taken at a gym?
What fun plans did you have over the weekend?

Link Love #25

This past week has been so great. I’m completely exhausted, worn out, and love having my parents here. I wish they lived here too. From beer tours, to AT&T Park, to strolling down the cute streets of Berkeley, I’ve really loved everything.

No game? We tour!

I haven’t had as much time for blog reading since they’ve gotten here, but I was still able to put together a pretty awesome round up if I do say so, myself!

Health

Wearable Fitness Trackers: Are We Creating a New Addiction? – The Valentine RD

Wearable Fitness Trackers: Are We Creating a New Addiction? – The Valentine RD
Carb controversy: Why low-carb diets have got it all wrong – Precision Nutrition
Three Tips to Overcoming Body Image Issues – Sometimes Always Never via Mastering Joy
Fostering a Healthy Body Image in Your Daughter – Healthy Ideas Place

Fitness

Leg Torture Purely Training Workout #49 – Purely Twins

Leg Torture Purely Training Workout 49 – Purely Twins
The Bachelor Workout – Pumps & Iron
30-Minute Total-Body Indoor Stair Workout – FitSugar
Computrainers and 2 Indoor Cycling Workouts – Cotter Crunch
How I Got My 5K and 1/2 Marathon PRs – Katy Widrick

Food

Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad Orange-Sage Dressing – The Roasted Root

Butternut Squash Kale Salad with Orange-Sage Dressing – The Roasted Root
Salted Caramel Chocolate Raspberry Chia Pudding – PaleOMG
Harissa, Smashed Avocado + Egg Toast with Goat Cheese and Honey Drizzle – Half Baked Harvest
Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – The Colorful Kitchen
The Balance Bowl – A Healthy Meal Made Easy – Begin with Nutrition

Food for Thought

What was one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #19

It’s the first Link Love of the new year! And there have been some good ones to share 🙂

Health

New Year New Word New Workout – Cotter Crunch

New Year, New Word, New Workout – Cotter Crunch
10 “New Ways” To Think of Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Strength In 2014 – Lifting Revolution
What If Every Day Were New Years Day? – Tina Reale
10 Nutrients Scientifically Proven to Make You Feel Awesome – Greatist
50 bite-sized resolutions for better health – NutritionElla

Fitness

A Sweaty Post Holiday Workout – Blonde Ponytail

A Sweaty Post Holiday Workout – Blonde Ponytail
8 Exercises to Help You Say Sayonara to Saddlebags – FitSugar
5 Things to Consider When Starting a New Training Program – Breaking Muscle
Row, Row, Row Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
Sexy Dancer Arms Workout – Livewell 360

Food

Meyer Lemon Roasted Carrot Strings with Lemon Garlic Sauce – Running to the Kitchen

Meyer Lemon Roasted Carrot Strings with Lemon Garlic Sauce – Running to the Kitchen
Detox Quinoa Salad – Kiss My Broccoli
Spicy Sweet Potato Egg Skillet – Peachy Palate
Miso Mushroom Zucchini “Ramen” Noodles – Inspiralized
Crunchy Quinoa Granola – Iowa Girl Eats

Food for Thought

What’s your favorite post so far this year? 😉

Link Love #12

I always start my Link Love posts at the beginning of the week, often time before my current weeks’ post is published. This week, my post filled up so quickly! I love the blogosphere and everything that it has to offer.

Health

Replace Skinny with Healthy – Olive to Run

Replace Skinny with Healthy – Olive to Run
Why Losing Weight Might NOT be the Answer – MusselFIT
“Knowing” Versus “Doing” – JillFit
Don’t Let the “Fat Burning Zone” Deceive You – PFIT blog
How to have a healthy relationship with the scales – Keeping Healthy, Getting Stylish

Fitness

5 Days of Full-Body Workouts – Health

Gonna Make You Sweat: 5 Days of Full-Body Workouts – Health
Yoga Fit ARMS – My Healthy Nest
30 Variations of Lunges – Lifting Revolution
22 Kick-Ass Kettlebell Exercises – Greatist
10 Ways to Become a Faster Runner – FitSugar

Food

Braised Chicken with Noodles & Vegetables – Notions & Notations of a Novice Cook

Making Dakjjim (닭찜) / Braised Chicken with Noodles & Vegetables – Notions & Notations of a Novice Cook
Spiced Chocolate Popcorn – Gimme Some Oven
Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprout, and Bread Stuffing with Apples – Food52
Apple Nut Porridge – Running to the Kitchen
Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs – Naturally Ella

Food for Thought

Do you have a favorite post from the past week?

Link Love #10

It’s that time again! 🙂

Health

How to: Learn to Love Yourself in 10 Steps – ElectraFi

How to: Learn to Love Yourself in 10 Steps – ElectraFi
Low Calorie Diets Can Be Dangerous – Slim Sanity
What I Need: The Problem With “Balance” – Fighting for Wellness
Feel Good Friday & Why is so hard to compliment Women? – Cotter Crunch
Tips for taking criticism without falling apart. – MizFit

Fitness

Max It Out Muscular Endurance Circuit – Fitnessista

Max It Out Muscular Endurance Workout – Fitnessista
Legs Like Jello Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
Workout Finishers: Kettlebell Complex – Trainer Paige
The 5-Minute Workout Even the Busiest of Girls Can Make Time For – FitSugar
Super Sweaty 60 Minute Complete Body Circuit – Treble in the Kitchen

Food

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – Peachy Palate

The Pie I Want to Be Buried With… – Peachy Palate
Epic Crispy Quinoa Burgers Topped with Sweet Potato Fries, Beer Caramelized Onions + Gruyere – Half Baked Harvest
Roasted Butternut Squash Zucchini Pasta with Kale, Apricots and Wheatberries – Inspiralized
Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce over Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Rice – COOKIE + Kate
15-Minute Mini Apple Pies – Dashing Dish

Food for Thought

What is your favorite post from the past week?

Have you made any new recipes that you’ve recently found?

Link Love

Popping in quickly to share some of my favorite posts from the past week. Hope you all had a great weekend and start to the week 🙂

Health

7 Reasons Kale Is the New Beef – Organic Authority
11 Ways to Feel Less Deprived On Your Healthy Diet – JillFit
Managing Stress with Diet: Healthy Eating Principles – Guard Your Heart

Food

Macadamia Nut Cookie Sweet Potato Hash Browns – Honestly Delicious

Roasted Cauliflower and Sesame Spread – HuffPost Taste
15 Healthy Vegan Snacks to Eat Post-Workout, at a Party, and Everywhere in Between – FitSugar
Gluten Free Figure Friendly Recipes – Simply… Gluten Free
Macadamia Nut Cookie Sweet Potato Hash Browns – Honestly Delicious
Fig Infused Bourbon – One Martini at a Time

Fitness

Dhanurasana

Marathon Training and Weight Gain-Say What?! – Breathe Deeply and Smile
35 Push Up Variations – Lifting Revolution
13 Unexpected Ways to Fit Cardio Into Your Routine – Greatist
A Backbend Sequence For Anyone Who Sits All Day – MindBodyGreen

Food for Thought

Are there any posts that caught your eye recently?

Meet Up Success & Link Love

As I mentioned yesterday, last night I went to a Charm City Healthy Living Bloggers meet up. There really are a lot of us and it was so nice to finally put a [real life] face to a name! Only about half of us could make it out, but everyone I met was so sweet and it was great to talk to new people with similar interests. Not to mention, I felt like I already knew some of them from reading their blogs! Many thanks to Caitlyn for setting all of this up!

Back: Kerry, Jess, Megan, Dani, Kait
Front: Me, Kate, Caitlyn, Lauren

Sorority girl pose, anyone? 😉 We’re already talking about our next meet up [maybe a little SUP?] and I can’t wait! These are definitely some blogs you should have on your list..

Caitlyn – City and the Cubicle
Coco – Hot Coco
Colleen – Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill
Danielle – Da Hart Attack
Jami – Fit Jams
Jenny – Love, Eat, Run
Jess – Just Call Me Janks
Kait – Kait Makes A Run For It
Kaitlyn – Simply Complicated
Katie – Skinny Minnie Moves
Kat – The Road I’m Running
Kate – Sunshine and the Bear
Kerry – Adventures of Z and K
Laura – Hell On Heels
Lauren – Breathe Deeply and Smile
Mary – Aznstarlette
Megan – Outlaw on the Run

*Thanks to Kate for this wonderful picture!

And while I’m in a link-sharing mood, I wanted to share a few posts that especially caught my eye over the past week.

Health

When Did You Stop Thinking You Are Beautiful? – Kludgy Mom
Maintainence Isn’t Sexy. – MizFitOnline
20 Apps for Health – Purely Elizabeth

Fitness

25 Reasons Why You Should Run (Especially If You Think You’re Not A Runner) – Frugal Beautiful
3 Foods to Eat Before Your Summer Workout – Health
Which Workout Burns More Calories? – Shape
How to Become a Runner (Who Actually Likes to Run!) – FitSugar

Food

35 National Peanut Day Recipes – Averie Cooks
One-Pan Farro with Tomatoes – Smitten Kitchen
Your Go-To Guide for Choosing Healthier Grains – The Greatist
From Soups to Smoothies: 15 Recipes For Kale – FitSugar
Breakfast Friday >> Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Burgers – Edible Perspective
Foods That Work Better Together – Fox News

Food for Thought

Have you ever gone to a blogger meet up?
Are there any posts you’ve seen over the last week that really caught your eye?

What I Ate Wednesday #22 – Election Day Eats

The day after a presidential election is always a good day. Whether you’re please with the result or not, I think we’re all glad the ads are over!

All politics aside, the day after election day means it’s time for another WIAW!

[Breakfast]
Poor, poor planning on my part of not requesting an absentee ballot, not changing my voting place to right down the street from where I live now as opposed to down the street from my parents house, and not attempting to vote early resulted in an early morning for this gal. Knowing this, I planned accordingly. Cinnamon overnight oats adapted from my Overnight Oats & Quinoa recipe made me quite happy while I was waiting in line to vote.

[Lunch]
Trader Joe’s has some awesome boxed soups. If you haven’t tried them yet, I’d highly recommend you get on it! I added some edamame and nutritional yeast* to my tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Delicious and full of protein!

[Dinner]
Thai red curry chicken with roasted broccoli, sweet potato, red onion, and turnip. I’ve become a big fan of Sharwood’s sauces and since finding a reasonably priced bag o’ garam masala, I’ve been looking forward to breaking out the Thai red curry. I’m happy to have leftovers 🙂

[Snacks]
A (not pictured) grapefruit in the morning and Gnu Espresso Chip Bar in the afternoon are added to the list. But the snack to top them all is my current favorite (clean eating) dessert. Vanilla greek yogurt with mini chocolate chips and peanut fluff (peanut flour*, stevia, & water). This has been satisfying my night time sweet tooth and has a good amount of protein to make it a great snack for after workouts. Sometimes when I need a little crunch, I top it with a few bunnies 😉

*I get my peanut flour and nutritional yeast from iHerb.com. Use code ZAF482 for $5 off of your first order.

Look out Friday! I have a delicious treat coming for ya that I can’t wait to share.

And big thanks to FitSugar for sharing my Pumpkin Protein Souffle with Cream Cheese Filling & Frosting!

Food for Thought

Did you stay up all night watching the election results roll in or did you find out this morning?

I zonked out at 11, but woke up at 2am and checked twitter to find out. Because really, where else do you go to learn about current events?! 😉