Five Things Friday

Has a week ever passed you by and you’re completely baffled as to where it went and what you actually did? Yea, that’s where I am right now. But it’s Friday so that’s always a good thing. I do love my weekends!

1. I’ve been really craving bread [thanks, Passover] so last night I made a loaf of Elana’s Paleo Bread. It didn’t make it the full 2 hours to cool, whoops! No worries though, it still sliced perfectly and was just as delicious as I remember. I really need to try more of her recipes!
   
2. Yesterday I went into Athleta.. always a mistake because I want everything! Especially this top. It’s next on my list.. good thing Nathan’s birthday is coming up soon. I get presents too, right?
   
   
3. I made a crazy awesome salad for lunch yesterday. It was pretty much crazy awesome because of the sweet potato. I have a strange habit of only buying one sweet potato at a time.. probably because I could eat tons of sweet potato at a time so maybe I’m just subconsciously looking out for myself haha.
   
4. Marshalls is my favorite place to get snacks and fun flavored coffees. The other day I found some white cheddar Chia Pop. It’s not completely gone, but let’s just say it’s on its last leg. I have a popcorn problem. #fail
   
5. When I got my new phone a little over a year ago, I got it from Best Buy and being accident-prone, decided to get the Geek Squad protection. A few weeks ago, my power button stopped working so I put that $10/month to use and traded in my phone.. for a refurbished phone. I’m now on my 4th phone and for a few days had to use a loaner phone. Fingers crossed that this phone works out but bottom line, I would not recommend Geek Squad [I just typed squash.. I have a squash problem too!] protection.

I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend and hitting up the farmers’ market tomorrow.

Food for Thought

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

This Scramble is Bananas!

Happy Thursday almost Friday, friends! I just wanted to pop in and share a couple fun things from my day yesterday. First up: breakfast.

It was practically a miracle that I didn’t finish every last bite of my roasted butternut squash on Tuesday night so for breakfast yesterday, I clearly needed to polish it off.

Banana Butternut Squash Scramble

Serves 1

Check out the froth on that iced coffee!

Ingredients
– ~1 cup roasted butternut squash
– 1/2 banana; sliced
– 1 egg
– 2 egg whites
– Cinnamon
– Coconut oil

Toppings
– Favorite nut/seed butters [I used my homemade coconut cashew butter and maple sunflower butter]
– Granola

Directions
Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Melt coconut oil and toss in the banana and butternut squash. Mix in the egg, egg whites, and cinnamon. Scramble and cook through. Remove from heat and place everything into a bowl. Top with your favorite nut/seed butters and granola!

It was amazing. I’m not exaggerating either [in my mind]. Also, you could easily swap the banana for more squash and the cinnamon for other seasonings and make yourself a savory breakfast.

And speaking of amazing, we had another day of perfect weather. I went for a walk over to Marshalls and Trader Joe’s.. it’s so dangerous having both of those places so close by! I’ve been on the hunt for a new pair of running shoes since, you know, it’s been well over 2 years since my last pair. Whoops. I totally lucked out and found a pair of Brooks at Marshalls for $40! Can’t wait to give ’em a go 🙂

I also picked up a package on my way home with some delicious treats to try out from My Oatmeal. I got a custom oatmeal blend and one of their PB Lean blends. I’ll be back soon with a review.

Pretty sweet picture setup, huh?

Toward the later part of the afternoon, I decided to take my work outside. I posted up on the deck to work on my tan [read: terrible tan lines] for Jessie‘s August wedding [<– miss her]! Also, I’m extremely pale. Gotta do something about that but it could take some time with my 100 SPF sunscreen. Ha!

Gimme that sun!

Keep your eye out for a delicious and easy recipe coming tomorrow. Hint: it’s coconut cashew butter. And you want to make it 😉

Food for Thought

Are you a sweet or savory breakfast person?
What is your favorite brand of running shoes?

What I Ate Wednesday #72: Refueling and Resetting

Alright, so maybe I’m not totally better yet. I have to say it feels good to get my workouts in though. Tina is really kicking my butt this week. My upper body wasn’t feeling sore at all on Monday after my workout, but yesterday I was definitely feeling it! My NASM book just came in yesterday and I know I’ll be taking some cues from Tina as I’m learning and creating routines.

Last week I found myself eating too many delicious veggies [brussels, broccoli, cauliflower..] and my stomach was not happy about this so I’ve made it a point to eat lighter this week.

Breakfast

The mighty tower o’ pancakes! DEMOLISHED!

As I mentioned before, FlapJacked sent me a sampler of their protein pancakes and the Apple Cinnamon was the last one that I had left to try. One thing I love is that these are only 180 calories per serving which is great on my rest days, but since this was my post-workout meal, I went for the whole thing! Topped, of course, with peanut fluff and coconut.

Even more exciting is that you have a chance to win some protein pancakes for yourself! For the month of February, FlapJacked is celebrating National Pancake Month by giving away FREE PANCAKES! You will simply share a photo of your favorite way to enjoy pancakes for the chance to win. 3 Prizes awarded weekly! For full details, check it out!

I’m not sure I understand the name, but I love the taste!

I’ve also been grabbing coffee from Marshalls lately.. they have some pretty awesome flavors and I’m definitely a fan of this one. Not to mention it was only $4!

Lunch

Not pretty. But darn tasty.

Polished off the last of the mango beef stir fry with a side of brown rice cake. I’d only ever had Quaker rice cakes before but I decided to try Lundberg and I really like them! It’s like actual pieces of puffed rice instead of all ground up. What a novel idea.

Afternoon Snack

More coconut cashew butter and granola? Why not?!

This Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cake was fabulous! I actually subbed the chocolate chips for cacao nibs and whole wheat flour for buckwheat. And then I couldn’t have a mug cake without topping it with some coconut cashew butter and granola. That just seems wrong!

Dinner

Don’t be fooled. I definitely went back for more asparagus and plantains!

Grilled up some herb mahi mahi, plantains, and roasted asparagus for a nice, light dinner. It really hit the spot! We’ve both always loved plantains but haven’t really bought them much until recently. It’s nice change in starch for dinner from the normal rice or potatoes for Nathan too.

And as always, I finished the night with an apple.. and a little more granola. I figure this, not only is helping my stomach feel better, but helping me get better too. Doesn’t hurt that it’s all delicious.

Food for Thought

What is your favorite post-workout meal?
Have you ever tried a mug cake?

Five Things Friday

IT’S HERE!! IT’S FRIDAY! Can you tell I’m excited to sleep in and enjoy my rest day tomorrow? 😉

1. Despite all of my excitement, the clouds were looking rather ominous this morning. I packed up my rain boots, threw on my rain coat, and ran out of the house to head to work. Without an umbrella. And then it started raining while I was on the bus. Luckily I only have about 5 1/2 blocks of walking to my office once I get off the bus and the rain wasn’t coming down too hard yet.
   

   I’m going to miss this view..

2. I also broke out a new top today.. Target with the win!
   

   Oh hey work bathroom! It’s a good thing I’m not awkward at all.

3. Speaking of new finds, Marshalls came up big again the other day. I may have gone in looking for a bandana for my Halloween costume and a new coat, but I came away with these bad boys.
   

   Is this considered strange but good?

   They’re seriously delicious and I could probably eat the whole container in one sitting.

4. Another new find is Ceylon Cinnamon.
   

   Mmm this won’t take me long to get through!

   Typically you find Cassia Cinnamon at the grocery store which isn’t even really cinnamon! This Ceylon Cinnamon is from Sri Lanka and is a great source of Manganese, Fiber, Calcium and Iron. As for the difference, you definitely get a slightly spicier scent, especially when you add it to something hot [like coffee or oats!]. That same spicier scent is also something that you taste; it’s almost like a cinnamony-er cinnamon which I love! I would definitely recommend trying it out if you’re a cinnamon-lover like I am. You can buy it here from Amazon.

5. I can’t believe it’s November 1 already. That means it’s moving month already! And that means this weekend starts the packing. Anyone have boxes? Send em my way! Oh, and bring yourself to help pack too 😉

Food for Thought

Would you try pickled, hot brussels sprouts?

Have you ever tried Ceylon Cinnamon before? Did you notice a difference?

Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?