challenges…[i.love.them.]
/Eating out of this soup crock, reminds me that I should probably make some soup. Maybe later this week. Anyone have a good spring, veggie-packed soup recipe?
Warning…this post might is going to get lengthy..SO much to talk about! Grab a cup of coffee ;)
Loving the Annie’s Honey Bunnies. The box is over 1/2 gone. I have been grabbing handfuls numerous times a day. They are so super crunchy and mildly sweet. There are a few different varieties…like a chocolate vanilla [uhhh, yum!!!], a fruity flavor and then a “plain.” I think I’m going to try out the plain next. It has only TWO grams of sugar and 1g extra of fiber [3g total].
Galaxy granola is pretty fantastic as well. I love how flavorful it is. The raspberry comes through a LOT.
I made another type of creamy oats this morning. This is my 2nd favorite way to make oats. Instead of an egg I use 1/4c applesauce! It helps fluff them up and add a bit of natural sweetness.
Creamy Applesauce Oats
- 1/3c rolled oats
- 1/2 banana
- 1/3c hemp milk
- 1/3c coconut kefir [made the oats extra creamy!]
- 1/3c water
- 1/2t cinnamon
- 1/4c applesauce [stirred in the last 2 minutes]
Melty Goo = pnut butter + justin’s chocolate pnut butter + coconut butter [~1.5T in total…microwaved, stirred, poured on top]
I felt like I have completely betrayed peanut butter lately. This was a FABulous way to bring it back! This bowl was rockin’ :)
A lot of you commented from yesterday’s post regarding my snack that I was contemplating…yogurt…chocolate…honey bunnies or all three? Most of you said to have all 3 :) However, when I opened the fridge I saw some plain leftover quinoa noodles, tomato paste and veggie broth and for some reason that sounded better. Weird I know, but it was totally satisfying. I’ve been craving a lot of carbs lately. Maybe it’s all the crazy running around at work and harder workouts lately?
Guess what?? A lovely reader, Dee from Joleystar, found this spoon on Amazon!! Thanks Dee!!
I had an awesome swim today. Before my swim, I gave the kitchen a complete scrub-down. It was as sparkly as it can get for an old house! I was kind of pooped on my walk to the gym, and my right arm was tired from wiping down the floors. I was really looking forward to get back in the pool, but I didn’t know how long I would last.
Turns out, once I got in the pool and warmed up, I had one of my best swim workouts yet!
- 50m kickboard – legs only
- 100m buoy – arms only
- 1500m – freestyle – 28min!!!
- 150 breast stroke – cool down
- 50m back stroke – cool down
- 50m freestyle – cool down
I felt like I was swimming really fast today and it seriously felt great. Apparently I should have been on swim team! Not saying I’m good…but saying that I am LOVING swimming!! The time goes SO fast and I never get bored. The counting keeps me occupied and trying to work on my form and breathing as well. Every 250m I would do a sprint 25m. So I was basically counting down to each of those which made it go by really quickly. Walked home feeling HUNGRY, EXhausted, satisfied, + proud :)
One of my favorite smoothies EVER.
Muddy Purple SluRple
- 1 packet Nutiva Chocolate HempShake [SO good]
- 1/2 banana
- 2T ground flax meal
- ~1c frozen cherries
- ~1c original Living Harvest Hemp Milk
Awesome texture. It was completely creamy..no chalkiness at all. Also, the flavor was amazing. I added about 1/2T Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter [hehee] and Honey Bunnies!! The AB was absolutely fabulous in this :)
I have been meaning to make this for awhile, and I’m nearly out of it, so I thought I’d give it a go.
Coconut Butter!!
[I had some intense light comin’ in the window while making this. Eeek!] This was by far the easiest butter to make. It came together SO quickly and only took about 3 bowl scrape downs. Even with photos it was liquid creamy in about 8min.
I used the whole bag…Maybe 1/2lb of coconut!? I can’t remember but it’s organic, unsweetened and cost about $3. I’ve had it for awhile, so I don’t remember the exact price.
You literally just let it spin in the processor.
And you wait for it to butterize. THEN comes the best part. You pour it on, well, almost anything.
Take for instance, low + slow sweet tater cubes! Ahhhhhhmazing. One of my favorite things to eat. This was the first time I’ve poured coconut butter on top.
I cooked the taters with a little olive oil + salt. When they came out of the oven I put about 1/2t cinnamon on top and about 1T coconut butter. The butter turned out great. It’s super creamy and tastes the same as Artisana. However, mine cost about $3 and Artisana’s is $8-10 for an 8oz jar, which is how much mine made. I love supporting awesome companies like Artisana, but when I can make it that much cheaper at home, there is just no reason to buy it…ever again!
Do I have to tell you how good this was? I think not.
Creaminess.
Swimming makes a person hungry! I’ve never had goat’s milk yogurt before but have been meaning to try it. This was on sale so I picked up a few flavors. My first thought, “wow, this tastes really Goat-ey.” Meaning it definitely had that stronger flavor like in goat cheese. It took me a few bites to get used to that in my yogurt. Cranberry orange was an AWesome flavor combo. I’m not sure I’ll buy this frequently but the flavor and texture were really spot on. It had a little fat, 150cals, 6g protein, and 21g sugar. Not the greatest stats, but super natural and great if you can’t tolerate cow’s dairy.
Topped with organic brown rice cereal. mmm
My 2 new best friends.
This leads me to my post title. I have 2 new challenges. One came from my sister-in-law, Natalie. [LOVE.her.so.much.] Anyway, we were talking nut butters, like normal people do, and I told her to request whatever combo she wanted and I would whip her up a batch. Her idea was to make a Coconut Peanut Butter. I mean, how could that be bad?? I combine the 2 and pour on my oats pretty frequently. Well, I also know that Natalie LOVES the Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter.
So, her idea turned into this:
Peanut Butter + Coconut Butter + Chocolate - If you’re ever had Artisana’s Cacao Bliss, think that plus pnut butter! Also, an oat topping that I adore. I’m so excited to start playing!! I will take on almost any food challenge that I’m presented with.
Bring.It.On. [there is a dent in the coconut butter from me dipping a a Dr.Kracker in it, hehehe]
I made one of the quickest, most satisfying dinners, ever.
Here it is in it’s exact layered state:
- Rudi’s Organic multigrain oat toaste
- organic tomato paste
- Organic Valley extra sharp white cheddar cheese
- arugula
- Veggie Burgers from Costco [about 7 ingredients in the list..impressive..all REAL food]
- 2 farmer’s market sunny side up eggs
- s+p
The eggs were cooked about 30sec too long. I cover the eggs with foil when I’m making sunny side up. If they cook a tad too long the yolks start to turn white. They were still gooey on the inside though and provide such a deliciious savory sauce :) This seriously hit the spot and will be made again soon. I wanted another instantly after eating the first but settled for a piece of toast with Irish butter and a crunchy bunny snack while watching TV ;)
So I have something really awesome to share with you! Hang with me a little longer!! One of my best friends, Mike, that I’ve known since I was about 16 is going to be on TV tomorrow! Like on a fo’ real TV show!! It’s going to air on Spike TV TOMORROW at 11pm EST [Check online for local listings]. The show is called Crash Test, and you can find more details on Mike’s blog about it. and I cannot wait for it to air!! So super exciting!! Watch this trailer…he’s the guy in the red polo shirt and talks for a few brief seconds at the end. I was freaking out when I saw him on there. SO cool and SO excited for him!! This show looks intense for sure.
[check.it.out.] :) Congrats Mike!!!!!! Autograph please??
Okay…I promise I’m done. I feel like my weekend posts are somewhat boring now that I’m so busy with work. I really had so much to tell you about today.
Oh wait. I forgot. CHALLENGE TWO: Chris has challenged me to ride 18miles tomorrow, for my 3rd bike ride. I am so up for the challenge! I’ve never really been challenged by Chris for a hard workout, so this is fun. He’s not really into running but definitely loves biking.
Nite peeps! <3
Ashley
