mugged.

/

Don’t worry, I’m not talking about me or anyone I know.

This morning, my oats were mugged.

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Creamy perfect oats with super crunchy hemp granola and ooooobviously the Roasted Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter.  I used about 1/2T along with a little Artisana Cacao Bliss.  I would have preferred double the AB and none of the cacao bliss!  Still delicious but I wanted more gooey AB!! 

I haven’t eaten ANY peanut butter since I made this AB on Sunday.  I know that’s only 3 days, but I normally eat some PB every single day.  I feel like I’m having a nut butter affair….I’m so sorry peanut butter.  It’s not you…it’s me!!

Long schpoooooooon.

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I had a killer workout day!  Speaking of workouts, I was trying to keep the “track my training” page updated, however, the main reason was to track my 1/2 marathon training, which I’m no longer doing.  I kept it going because I thought maybe it was better to have more detailed info on my workouts on a separate page because my posts are long enough :)  However, it’s just easier to put it in the post.  So you’ll have to deal with hearing about my workouts.  [they won’t usually be THIS long, hehe]

Swimming was on my brain today, so I walked to the gym [.75m] and hopped in the pool.  I usually go the pool without a specific workout in mind.  I just swim for like 30+ min.  I just recently started counting my laps, which is SO hard to keep track of.  I need a button to push, haha.  Last week, I swam 1400m [80% freestyle] in 33min.  I loved it!!  The first 750m I was somewhat tired but then the 2nd half I really got into a groove.

Today, I structured my workout a little more.  My body was a bit sore from biking so I wasn’t sure how this would go…but here was the plan:

  • 250m kickboard – legs only
  • 250m swim with buoy – arms only
  • 250m breaststroke
  • 250m backstroke
  • 500m 650 freestyle
  • 50m kickboard cool down

I did it!! 1700m in about 43min.  It was a bit slower pace mostly from the legs + arms only laps, which were also the hardest!!  I didn’t feel sore really, but my arms and legs felt tired.  Breast and back went smoothly and once I got to freestyle I really got in a groove.  I was in such a groove that I went 150m further than I was planning on and could have kept going.  It seriously just felt really natural and smooth…very exciting!!  There were 2 reasons I didn’t go further.  1 – they were reeling the lanes in for open swim 2 – Chris and I were planning on going to the rock gym

Awesome workout.  I was so proud + excited after this!!  You are now probably wishing I posted this on the other page…bahaha ;)

I walked home and got to making a this!

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My smoothie got mugged too!

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Purple Protein Slurple

  • ~1/2c blueberries
  • ~1/2c cherries
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/3 avocado
  • 1.5T hemp seeds
  • 1 serving Amazing Grass Green SuperFood
  • 1/4c Living Harvest – vanilla spice hemp protein powder
  • 1c plain almond milk
  • 1/4c pure grape juice

All of the fruit was frozen, so I didn’t need to add any ice.  This had awesome texture!!  I topped it with Galaxy Granola and ate it with my new spoonula.  It’s like a paddle-spatula-spoon.  My mom bought it for me when she was here and I love it :)

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Perfect consistency.

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I scraped the blender CLEAN and the mug.  SO delicious + SO filling.  I also had some leftover roasted veg from yesterday.  YUM.

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And thennnnn…we went to boulder at the gym.  I was definitely feeling a little tired but was so pumped to get back to the rock gym.  It’s been a whole week!

We bouldered for about an hour.  SO fun. 

A few action shots from one of the problems we tried to conquer today…maybe next trip!

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There is a huge reach at the end that neither of us could boost up to.  Grrrr

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Can’t wait to get back on the bike tomorrow!!    

Dinner.  I wanted to use some herbed pasta I got at the market recently along with our market fresh asparagus.  My thoughts were to combine the veg + pasta + make basil pesto. 

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I ran into 2 problems:

  1. Pine nuts were $34.99/lb!!!!!!!!!!  That was for organic but the non-organic were still $10.99/half-pound.  No-can-do.
  2. I forgot to buy parmesan cheese.

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What to do??

  1. sub walnuts for the pine nuts
  2. make vegan pesto

It worked..and worked well!!!  I think it was the best pesto I’ve ever made.

[not the best lighting..will re-photo tomorrow!]

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Vegan Basil Pesto!!!

  • ~2.5 loose packed cups of basil
  • ~1/4c olive oil
  • 1/2c chopped toasted walnuts
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/2t salt
  • 1/4t black pepper
  • 1/3c nutritional yeast
  • ~1/4c veggie broth

Yields ~1c

  1. In a small pan, toast walnuts over low heat until slightly browned.  Watch them, they burn fast!
  2. In a food processor, process garlic cloves for ~15sec.
  3. Process nuts with garlic and scrape down the bowl.
  4. Add basil, salt and pepper and process until combined.  You’ll need to scrape the bowl a few times.
  5. Add nutritional yeast, and turn processor on. 
  6. Stream in olive oil + veggie broth until the desired consistency is met, again scraping the bowl down a few times.

Notes:  If you like a chunkier basil pesto that is not fully smoothed, then use your “pulse” button to get the consistency you want.  If you don’t have an opening that allows you to stream in liquids, that’s okay.  Just add them a little at a time, scrape down the bowl, and keep adding until it’s how you want it.

Also: I used veggie broth to lighten this pesto up a bit.  It was still packed with flavor and was not watered down from the broth at all.  However, you could certainly use all olive oil if you want. 

I sautéed the asparagus with 1 large chopped leek for added flavor.  LOVE leeks!

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The parmesan cheese was NOT missed one bit.  You honestly couldn’t tell.  If someone served this to me and said they used parmesan I wouldn’t have 2nd guessed it.  Chris really enjoyed it as well :)

Dinner was laaate..8:15…crappy kitchen lighting!  The asparagus was awesome.  Even cooked in pasta, you could tell this was super FRESH.  I cooked the pasta and saved some of the cooking water to help spread the pesto throughout.  FABulous!!  The best part is I have over HALF of the pesto left and I have a great idea for it tomorrow!!

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Has anyone made the Maple Cinnamon AB yet??  I know a few of you have…let me know if you try it out!  Also, if you try out this pesto…soooo gooood :) 

Before I make this post any longer…I’m off to bed! 

Night!

Ashley

p.s. To answer a reader question asking if I’m training for a TRI….While I would love to be, I am not currently training for a triathlon.  My feet are not ready to start running yet…but participating in a tri will definitely be in my future.  Trust me, I’ll let you know :)