Link Love #80

Just like that our quiet couple of weeks without company is about to end. My college roommate and her husband are getting in late Wednesday night and staying with us for a week! They’ve never been out to San Francisco before so they’re definitely in for a treat. Do you remember how crazy we went when my parents came out last year? Yea.. there will be plenty of eating, drinking, and hiking! Get ready for some more delicious pictures 😉

Health

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution
Why it is okay to gain a few happiness lbs – Darwinian Fail
So you want to study nutrition? Dietitian, Nutritionist, or Nutritional Therapist? – Gluten Free Rosie
Eat to Beat the Common Cold? Part One: Review of Vitamin C – Food & Nonsense
Using the stages of change model to adopt new fitness and nutrition habits – FitKnitChick

Fitness

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen
Why Kettlebell Swings Aren’t a Good Exercise for Cardio – Trainer Paige
Don’t Skip a Beat: How To Train Using Heart Rate Monitoring – FitFluential
3 Creative Core Moves that Work Balance and Strength – Cotter Crunch
Stay on Track Workout – Coconuts & Kettlebells

Food

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate
Microwave Peanut Protein Pancakes with Chocolate Chips {Gluten/Grain Free, Super Simple, Low Fat + Low Calorie} – Food Faith Fitness
Bahn Mi Spring Rolls – Minimalist Baker
Healthy Bananas Foster Donuts – The Almond Eater
Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Morning Buns with Blueberry Passionfruit Glaze – Half Baked Harvest
Almond Butter Fudgy Chocolate Eggs – Peachy Palate

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #69

Today just so happens to be a very special day—it’s my mama’s birthday!

She’s the best. And I’m not the only one that thinks that.. Jilly bean is quite the fan of her Bubby, too!

My parents will be back out here visiting in about a month and a half and I can’t wait to take them around to all of the new places we’ve explored since their last time out here. More birthday celebrations!! Woohoo! Until then…..

Health

10 Reasons to Love Brussels Sprouts – Groovy Green Livin

10 Reasons to Love Brussels Sprouts – Groovy Green Livin
20 Nutrition Facts That Should be Common Sense (But Aren’t) – Eat Local Grown
Back When I Ate the “HLB” Way: Blogger Responsibility and Disordered Eating – Run Pretty
The Three Worst Ways to Lose Weight – Wildly Fit
The science of creating new health and fitness habits – fitknitchick

Fitness

The Royal Flush Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution

The Royal Flush Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution
Fit Bit Friday 173: The January Core Challenge Workout – Eat Spin Run Repeat
Whit’s 10 Minute Bodyweight Workout – To Live & Diet in L.A.
Sweat Drenching Leg & Core Workout – Jessie Loves 2 Run
Chocolate Cherry Trail Cups + Workout to Flip For – The Fit Fork

Food

Roasted Pineapple with Honey & Pistachios – Blogging Over Thyme

Roasted Pineapple with Honey & Pistachios – Blogging Over Thyme
PB&J Oatmeal Crumble Bars – The Nutritious Kitchen
Whole Wheat Penne with Butternut Squash & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce – Oh My Veggies
Grain Free Winter Spice Plantain Bites – Cotter Crunch
Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut Sauce – Minimalist Baker

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #54

Big news! Yesterday I ran for the first time since I hurt my ankle. And not only did I run, but I did sprints! As much as I don’t like running, I don’t like being unable to do something even more.. ya feel me? I’ve also been crazy busy at Athleta since we got new inventory last week. If you haven’t taken a look in a while [or ever], definitely check out some of the new gear. Better yet, if you’re in the bay area, come visit me 🙂

Health

Forget The Carbs Before A Race: Research Supports Diet High In Fat Improves Endurance – Lifting Revolution

Forget The Carbs Before A Race: Research Supports Diet High In Fat Improves Endurance – Lifting Revolution
Why Walking To Work Is More Than Just Good Exercise – HuffPost Healthy Living
How to Have a Healthy and Balance Life – Hungry Healthy Happy
What To Do When Your BIG Dreams or Goals Feel Stalled – Cotter Crunch
7 Healthy Habits Almost Anyone Can Implement – Food & Nonsense

Fitness

5 Reasons to Use the Treadmill – Reach Your Peak

5 Reasons To Use The Treadmill – Reach Your Peak
Strength Training Workout for Runners – Trainer Paige
My Playing Card Workout For Shoulders – Eat, Run, Sail
Quick arm and core bodyweight home workout purely training #80 – Purely Twins
10-Minute Work-Break Workout (for at Home or the Office) – Pumps & Iron

Food

S’mores Cheesecake – Life, Love, & Sugar

S’mores Cheesecake – Life, Love, & Sugar
Couscous Bowls with Za’atar Chickpeas and Roasted Cauliflower – Oh My Veggies
Butternut Squash, Apple + Pear Crisp – Edible Perspective
Chipotle Tofu Chilaquiles – Minimalist Baker
Baking Bootcamp: Apple Pie Biscuits – Joy the Baker

Food for Thought

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

Link Love #47

Back to normal! Nathan’s home and I have to admit, it was really strange to be here without him for 4 days [we’re not actually attached at the hip ;)]. I certainly kept busy but it’s nice to have him back!

Tonight I’m headed into the city for a free Barry’s Bootcamp class thanks to ClassPass [. I’ve never been to Barry’s Bootcamp but I’m psyched; I’m thinking that’s definitely my kind of workout. I’ve heard really great things and I’m really glad I have the opportunity to check it out with ClassPass but I’m a little scared the workout might kill me ha! I’ll report back though.. it’ll be good to mix it up.

Your turn to mix it up with some of these posts! 😉

Health

An Important PSA: Your Body on Lazy – Lifting Revolution

An Important PSA: Your Body on Lazy – Lifting Revolution
Focus On: Carb Cycling (what is it and how does it work?) – Fitnessista
5 Proven Techniques to Beat Stress Eating – Thrive Personal Fitness
Ripped And Miserable: How Neghar Fonooni Gained Body Fat And Got Her Life Back – Neghar Fonooni via Molly Galbraith
8 Easy Nutritional Switches That Prevent You From Binging – JillFit

Fitness

3 Best Exercises to Work the Lower Abs – Trainer Paige

3 Best Exercises to Work the Lower Abs – Trainer Paige
My Workouts + Another NEW Workout – She Rocks Fitness
The Importance of Cross Training – Nut Butter Runner
Resistance Band Core Workout – Pumps & Iron
Locked and Loaded Purely Training #72 Workout – Purely Twins

Food

Blueberry Lemon Cake with Lemon Glaze – Averie Cooks

Blueberry Lemon Cake with Lemon Glaze – Averie Cooks
Gluten-Free Cherry Crumble – The Healthy Maven
Sweet Balsamic Strawberries w/Whipped Ricotta Cream and Maple Glazed Seeded Nuts – Half Baked Harvest
Vietnamese Springs Rolls with Crispy Tofu – Minimalist Baker
Grilled Romaine Salad with Quinoa, Apples, Corn, & Dijon Vinaigrette – Climbing Grier Mountain
Coconut Vanilla Latte Protein Bites (Healthy Bites giveaway!) – Cotter Crunch

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #46

After a weekend off from workouts, I was ready to hit the gym yesterday. To be honest, my legs were still sore from Friday’s workout [say what?!] but I knew I was ready to get them moving again. It was a little rough, but damn, it felt good. The sunburn, however, is still not my friend and still looking a little too purple for my liking. Lesson. Learned. Seriously.

Well, it hasn’t been too long since my last link love, but there were some really, especially wonderful posts over the past week that I’ve been excited to share with you. Enjoy!

Health

Overcoming Negative Thoughts – Love, Life, Surf

Overcoming Negative Thoughts and Learning to Fly – Love, Life, Surf
Everyone Has a Hard – Carla Birnberg
How Often Do You Rest? – Mommy Run Faster
Do Runners (and all Athletes) Really Need a Walk Break? – Cotter Crunch
Why I No Longer Strive for Balance – Caroline Winn Photography

Fitness

WAHM Tabata Workout: 20 Minute Fat Burning Workout – MusselFIT

WAHM Tabata Workout: 20 Minute Fat Burning Workout – MusselFIT
A DIY 30 Minute Whole Body Workout – FitKnitChick
Booty Burner Workout – Reach Your Peak
You’re 5 Minutes Away From a Rock Solid Ab Workout – Lifting Revolution
She ROCKS Boot-Camp Workout – She Rocks Fitness

Food

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich – Edible Perspective

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich – Edible Perspective
Superfood Cookie Dough – Fitnessista
Nectarine and Fig Summer Salad with Crispy Pancetta – How Sweet It Is
No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecakes – Minimalist Baker
Caramelized Peach + Cherry, Prosciutto and Gorgonzola Salad w/Buckwheat Crêpes – Half Baked Harvest

Food for Thought

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

Link Love #40

Guys. I need to tell you. The fruit in California is absolutely outrageous. It must be because the fruit is grown here and there’s not a week of transfer before it gets to me in Maryland anymore, but I’ve never had such flavorful strawberries, plums, blueberries.. seriously, everything! I’m not a peach gal and I’m eating peaches! Nathan’s not a plum gal guy and he’s eating plums. I never want it to end!

I’ve been pinning fruit recipes out the wazoo and have a couple to share today, but you should definitely check out my Pinterest boards for more!

Health

Are You Addicted to Adrenaline? – Cotter Crunch

Are You Addicted to Adrenaline? – Cotter Crunch
Get Rid of “Should” – Fine Fit Day
Healthy Eating: A Shared Responsibility – Kath Eats Real Food
Why You Should Throw Away Your Scale – fANNEtastic Food
Why Calories In vs Calories Out is Outdated – Mommy Run Fast

Fitness

30-Minute Kettlebell HIIT Workout with Finisher – Pumps & Iron

30-Minute Kettlebell HIIT Workout with Finisher – Pumps & Iron
I LIFT 20 minute leg workout purely training #64 – Purely Twins
Friday Happy Hour Workout Plan – Lifting Revolution
Sculpted Summer Arms Workout – Peanut Butter Runner
Sweat for Summer Interval Sprints – Fit2Flex

Food

Samoa Baked Doughnuts with 1-minute Maple Caramel – Edible Perspective

Samoa Baked Doughnuts with 1-minute Maple Caramel – Edible Perspective
Sweet and Savory Breakfast Polenta and Egg Stack – Clean Eating Veggie Girl
Raw Snickers Candy Bars – Peachy Palate
Crispy Peanut Tofu & Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry – Minimalist Baker
Chilled Avocado Sweet Corn Soup – Running to the Kitchen
S’mores + Peaches = S’meaches – The Kitchy Kitchen

Food for Thought

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

Foodie Friday: Banana Bread Granola & a Giveaway!

Best part of being home during the day?

Skyping with Jilly bean when Bubby is babysitting 🙂 Love her little giggles!

Anywho, the other day catastrophe struck and I found myself without granola [it’s a good thing I’m not dramatic or anything]. Having recently received a package from Bob’s Red Mill, I knew I could remedy the situation.

I also happened to have a couple bananas that were pretty much banana bread-perfect. I reached for the oats and pecans and went to work.

Banana Bread Granola

Makes 5 cups
Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker

Ingredients
– 3 cups rolled oats
– 1 1/4 cups raw pecans; chopped
– 1 tbsp ground flax seed
– 1 tsp sea salt
– 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
– 1/4 cup coconut oil; melted
– 1/4 cup honey [Substitute agave or maple syrup if vegan]
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 medium bananas; mashed

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, mix the oats, pecans, flax seed, sea salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium bowl, mix melted coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. When the wet ingredients have come together, mix them into the dry ingredients until everything is evenly coated.

Spread the mixture onto two parchment- or silpat-lined baking sheets. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until golden brown. I didn’t toss my granola until the very end and was able to get nice big clusters. If you’d like smaller pieces, feel free to toss throughout the baking process.

Nutritional Information
Per 1/3 cup serving

212 Calories  /  14g Fat  /  20g Carbs  /  3g Fiber  /  6g Sugar  /  4g Protein

Giveaway Time!

Bob’s Red Mill has graciously offered one reader a package of the same 4 ingredients I received above. Click here to enter!

Looking for other recipes to make using these ingredients?
Here are a few I have on my list:

• Blissful Blueberry Banana Spelt Muffins – Oh She Glows
• Cinnamon & Pumpkin Spice Almond Bread – Cotter Crunch
• Paleo Sandwich Bread – Peachy Palate
• Citrus-Pumpkin Seed Crusty Spelt Brown Bread – Healthy Happy Life

Food for Thought

What would you make with these ingredients?
What is your favorite kind of granola?

Link Love #23

Have you entered my Peanut Butter & Co. giveaway yet?

Wow, I don’t even know where yesterday went! I’m so glad we finally got a break from the constant rain. I was able to take a walk to Berkeley Bowl in the middle of the day and it was much warmer than I expected. Good and bad when you layer up like I do.. definitely blasted the fan when I got home haha. I also came home to a wonderful package thanks to Kaila and NuNaturals. Can’t wait to try these out!

Health

Warning: 7 “Healthy” Habits that are Stressing Your Metabolism – Living the Nourished Life

Warning: 7 “Healthy” Habits that are Stressing Your Metabolism – Living the Nourished Life
Confession of a Food Addict – Wellness Today
Renewing Your Training with Recovery – Workout Nirvana
Food Shaming and Comparison – The Real Life RD
The Bloat Cure – Dr. Oz

Fitness

30 Minute Body Pumping Workout – CandyFit via Burnbrae Farms

30 Minute Body Pumping Workout – CandyFit via Burnbrae Farms
Sprinting Vs Running: What You Need To Know – Lifting Revolution
Total Body Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
20-Minute HIIT Workout – Pumps & Iron
Fabulously Fit Friday Treadmill Workout – Treats With a Twist

Food

15 Easy, Healthy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas – Minimalist Baker

15 Easy, Healthy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas – Minimalist Baker
Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa, and Kale Salad – Eat Yourself Skinny
Butternut Squash and Spelt Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds – The Lemon Bowl
Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Butter – “Baby Delight Butter”– The Smart Kitchen via Delights & Delectables
Grain Free Chocolate Coconut Chia Bread – Cotter Crunch

Food for Thought

What was one of your favorite posts from last week?

Link Love #22

Ooooh my gravy. Well I have to say, I’m definitely feeling better than I was over the weekend, but a workout plus 4 loads of laundry yesterday and I was knocked on my butt the rest of the day! One day at a time and lots of sleep, I should be back to myself soon 🙂 In the meantime, lots of love!

Health

Do you need to do cardio if you’re lifting heavy? | question from a reader – FitKnitChick

Do you need to do cardio if you’re lifting heavy? | question from a reader – FitKnitChick
4 Ways To Stop Eating A Million Calories Every Night – JillFit
The Makings of the Best Diet Ever – Truth 2 Being Fit
What a Dietitian Eats – HuffPost Lifestyle
Paleo Diet Pros and Cons – Kath Eats

Fitness

Get Bootylicious: Best Glute Exercises For Women (And Why) – Lifting Revolution

Get Bootylicious: Best Glute Exercises For Women (And Why) – Lifting Revolution
A core workout for runners – Crazy Running Girl
Burpees or Bust Challenge and Roundup #FFBurpee – Cotter Crunch
Winter Interval Treadmill Workout – Sarah Fit
Stability Ball Workout – Fitnessista

Food

Bourbon Caramel Almond Butter Cups – Minimalist Baker

Bourbon Caramel Almond Butter Cups – Minimalist Baker
Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Almond Butter Filling – Running on Real Food
Lentil Sloppy Portobello Joe – Peachy Palate
Honey Porter Glazed Chicken Skewers – The Beeroness
Healthier Magic Cookie Bars – Eating Bird Food

Food for Thought

What is one of your favorite posts from the last week?

Link Love #20

You’ll never guess what happened yesterday. The last box was unpacked! Given, we still need to figure out where to put things, but damn, it feels good to get rid of boxes! That said, still accepting any creative storage tips 😉 But now for a little weekly love..

Health

Is Intuitive Eating Always a Good Thing? – the Real Life RD

Is Intuitive Eating Always a Good Thing? – the Real Life RD
Skinny: The Ultimate Compliment? – Snack Therapy
9 Self-Destructive Habits to Ditch in 2014 – Babble
Fit Myths That Need to Go: Fat Makes You Fat – Thrive Personal Fitness
If you could have good health from a pill, would you still exercise? – Fit and Femenist

Fitness

Burn It to Earn It Circuit Workout – Fitnessista

Chefs in the kitchen + a new circuit – Fitnessista
Wednesday Warm-Up: 4 New Running Drills – Cotter Crunch
Box Exercises Beyond Step Ups and Box Jumps – Lifting Revolution
Love Your Total Body – Tone It Up
New Workout Video! Ropes, Push Press, & TRX Plank Power Circuit. – Powercakes

Food

Thai Peanut Beef – Damn Delicious

Thai Peanut Beef – Damn Delicious
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Mousse – Minimalist Baker
Bulgogi: Korean Beef BBQ – A Spicy Perspective
The Big Vegan Bowl – Oh She Glows
The Winter Abundance Bowl – My New Roots

Food for Thought

What was your favorite post from the past week?