Category Archives: Baking

Thanksgiving in the Rear View Mirror

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With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, and the few pounds we gained still hanging on for dear life (what’s a post thanksgiving week without running off the weight?), but in my case, and my co-workers case, there is no shame! Between the turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and cranberry bliss bars, I had a delicious holiday and there wasn’t tooo much damage done!

Before our game. I was all smiles, having no idea how terrible of a game would ensue!

Later that weekend we went bowling and Black Friday shopping, (scored some awesome deals!), and of course, I ran. Not as many miles as I wanted to (I had these high and lofty goals of running about 20 miles. hah). Instead I did about 13.
I’m getting a little faster, this week it’s been about a 9:35 min/mile compared to last week, I ran about a 10:08 min/mile. I’ve been moving faster, breathing better, and feeling stronger! Granted, I had some longer runs last week (like 7 miles) compared to my longest run this week being 4 miles, and I generally take my longer runs slower. At this point I’m 12 miles away from my goal (of running 70 miles in November)- meaning I have 4 miles/day to run. Urg. It’s so cold in the mornings!! :( BUT I CAN DO IT!

On a non-running note, I am SO excited for Christmas! Because I work in higher Education, my office CLOSES for the week between Christmas and New Years so I’m lounging around (aka going on long runs) and relaxing!

I know this sounds strange, but I do more running on holidays than I do during regular life because not working actually gives me time to go on those long runs! Anyone else feel the same way?

5 Things to do Today…

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I was featured on a cute little blog called 5thingstodotoday. David publishes 5 different things to do per-day, giving you great tips for expanding your lifestyle by suggesting little things that you can do to change up your life!

Photography – Summer Bicycle 8×8 print charming shabby chic cottage decor minty green bike $25 USD

These were my suggestions:

1.       Enjoy some time outside today. Go for a hike, or just a walk around a local lake or park.

2.       Set up your fitness goals for the month/year and do what it takes to stick to them.

3.       Join a run club, get out with like-minded runners and enjoy the motivation!

4.       Find a farmers market in your area and buy farm fresh, organic food. Try throwing together for an evening meal.

5.       Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at an independent coffee shoppe in your town, supporting the members in your community.

Definitely take a minute to hit David up at 5thingstodotoday, and even submit your own very awesome checklist of things you’ve got planned :)

Balancing the Diet with Working Out

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Lets face it, I’d much rather run for an hour every day than care about what I eat… am I alone in that? But when I come home and eat a bunch of crap, I don’t feel like getting up in the morning for my run. Or doing it when I get home from work.Keep away from junk food

In general, I feel gross when I eat great for a while and then eat not so great. I was recently asked how to stick to a diet in order to supplement a really disciplined workout routine. This girl was wondering how to have the same discipline in the kitchen as she does in the gym.

My words to her: You are doing great in the gym! You’ve built amazing discipline to be there when planned, work out to the max, and sweat through every thing you’re wearing! The problem isn’t discipline, it’s that you haven’t put as much thought into your meals as you have your workouts. Once you’re doing well with your workouts, add on healthy meal planning.

This is actually one of the things that I do when I run. I’m on the road, endorphins are high, and I’m more likely to plan healthy, filling meals. I plan my grocery list (the hard part is getting it down on paper) and my meals for the day/weekend.

Just in case anyone out there is thinking that I’m a Nazi, I bought these super yummy awesome chocolate mint marshmallows for our camping trip this weekend… My justification is as follows: We are roasting these little guys instead of having s’mores. Which is healthier… right? (This was not justified while on a run).

Awesome yummy instead of s’mores marshmallows

Foodie Friday: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Protein Bars

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While it’s easy to just say, “I’m going to eat healthier” and throw more veggies in my diet, it’s a lot more challenging to actually bake good stuff. The most recent recipe I tried (as in 9pm last night) was these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Protein Bars.
Now, as a lover of smooth chocolate, and lovely rich food, these are not your regular oatmeal bars, I can taste the protein but they are actually really good! The only protein bar I really eat is Cliff bars, so this is a cheaper option, and I’m able to control all of my ingredients.

Yesterday I was listening to the radio and the DJ was talking about what’s really in hot dogs. Pig and chicken carcasses. And then she said, “I’m sorry to all those people that I just ruined eating hot dogs for” and I responded, “you’re saving lives! Who in their right mind would want to eat that crap!” Then I realized I’m alone and she can’t hear me. How embarrassing.
I can’t stress enough how important healthy food is, and I’m very adamant about knowing whats IN my food (yes, I’m that girl in the grocery store that reads every label. One time I guy walked by and said, “that’s not going to make you fat… just eat it”. *shut up*) hah.

Anyways! Try them- they are really great :)

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Protein Bars

  • 2 cups Uncooked Old Fashioned/Quick Oats
  • 1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
  • 3 Scoops Protein Powder (I used Whey Vanilla)
  • 4 tbls Milled Flax Seed
  • 1/2 cup water

I warmed up my PB in the microwave for a few seconds to get it loose but other than that just combine everything in a bowl and mix well.

Then press it into a baking pan or other square dish and put in the fridge or freezer for about a half hour.  You can put a little water on your fingers before pressing so it doesn’t stick to you.  Take the pan out of the freezer, cut the mixture into 8 or more bars, and wrap each individually or put in snack bags.  Done!

I’m leaving mine in the freezer since they were still a little sticky but the fridge is fine as well.

Next time I may add some dried fruit or chocolate chips to change it up some.

This recipe makes about 6-8 bars

192 Cal | 16g Carbs| 8g Fat| 15g Protein| 3g Fiber