banana bread blondie…cake!

Good morning bloggy boos! How are you?

I am quite the snuffalupagus this morning, I am pretty sure I have sneezed up a tornado. I think it may be appropriate to bring my own box of tissues to class. Whaddup, nasal decongestant!

I loved hearing all of your weird food stories and advice about college! In case you missed yesterday’s post, you can read it here. Long story short, I won an indoor triathlon and am choosing between two AMAZING colleges, and one that I am wait-listed to.

Finally it is sinking in that this is a decision that will determine my life path for the next four years. And possibly my life course for the rest of my life. Not going to lie, it’s a bit heavy but I am ready for it. No matter where I go, I know I will have a fun four years, at one more so than the others:) Sorority, here I come!

So what’s a girl to do with such a heavy decision on her shoulders? Um, eat.

Specifically, Banana Bread Cake.

That’s what happens when you’d rather have banana bread that looks like a slice of cake than a slice of bread. Chickayeahhhh

As a child, banana bread was my favorite thing that the Madre would make. It has a soft spot in my heart, and obviously I had to replace the sugar, eggs, and gluten with high-protein alternatives. You could basically eat this for dinner.

What, you don’t eat cake every day?

Because that’s just wrong. Make this, and have cake every day for the rest of your life.

Or should I say, ten times a day for the rest of your life.

Not that I would know or anything.

Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free

Adapted from my Orange-Cranberry and Raspberry Amaretto Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2/3 + 1/4 cup quinoa flour
• 1/3 + 1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1/4 cup NuStevia Baking Blend
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1.5 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened So Delicious Coconut)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a cake pan with coconut oil.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. In a smaller bowl, mash both of your bananas until almost liquidy, and then add the extractives and 1/4 cup of non-dairy milk.
4. Add wet to dry, and mix thoroughly. Add more non-dairy milk as needed to make a dough that is stirrable, not tough or stiff. You want your dough to be wet enough to spread itself into a cake shape.
5. Pour dough into your cake pan, and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Cook it more if you want a less dense center.
7. Try not to burn your tongue eating a slice of this straight out of the oven.

Dense like a blondie, banana-y like banana bread, and sliced like a cake. What more could a girl want?!

I enjoyed a (few) large slices with apple spread frosting, coconut butter, and chopped banana. It doesn’t get any better:)

No picture of that though because it just looked narsty.

^^ See my oven mitt thumb print? Aweeee presh, my cake has a beauty mark!

That’s all for today loves! Tomorrow you will have a delicious macaroon/ball recipe and some sweet protein socca! See you on the flip, chickadees:)

Tell me some of your college stories/advice!!

Please and shank you:)

How do you handle big life decisions? Are you a worrier or a planner?

I am a huge planner. Although things can worry me a little bit, my viewpoint is that there is a plan, and you will end up where you are supposed to be.

Favorite childhood food?

Banana bread and oat cakes:) Recipe for those son of guns coming soon!

xoxox,

triple-athaloner + a winner!

Good afternoon chickadees! How are you?

I have a surprise for you.

Bloggy boos, meet Stubby Stu!

Wuv my carrots:)

I am sorry for being a bit MIA the last few days! Let’s just say schoolwork, senioritis, and the Biggest Loser have semi taken over my life. No big.

First and foremost, we have a winner! The winner of the Love Grown Foods Granola giveaway is comment #194, Kaitlyn Nelson! Congratulations, Kaitlyn! E-mail me your address and Love Grown will have that granola sent out to you asap:)

Second of all, I am now a triple-athaloner. Or a triathaloner. Whatever you want to call it, the Padre, myself, and the Baby Sister made up a kick-toosh team and DOMINATED. We won. Holla @ me! I biked eight miles in 15 minutes flat and the Padre ran 2.34 miles. What. a. beast.

Our team tat:

First place!

Rewarded myself with a giant waffle. Prepare to see the ugliest waffle on the face of the Earth. Do not be fooled kiddos, this was scrumiddlyumptious:)

Smiley face!

Cookie Dough Bowl, waffle-style. I forgot the baking soda so sadly this is what happens:( BUT it tasted fantab so I am not complaining. Topped with apple spread and a chopped banana

Fugly food is always the most delicious, remember?

That’s all for this afternoon loves! I’m off to a kettlebells class with Lisa, aka we are getting our butts whooped..again. But we love it, so we keep going back. It’s a love-love relationship with them kettlebells:)

Longer post tomorrow. There are many recipes coming in the next few days so get your eating pants on!

Latest weird looking food you’ve seen/eaten?

That carrot and these waffles. Delicious.

Favorite breakfast food. GO!

Cookie Dough Bowlllll

Tips from college bloggies/veterans?

Currently I am between two amazing schools, and one of my top choices to which I am currently wait-listed. Tell me about your experiences!!

xoxox,

Bressert Kale Chips + My New Baby!

Good morning love doves!! How are you?

I have had the best. weekend. ever so far. Started off with a gorgeous run, a get-together that MAY have lasted past two a.m. and involved Chubby Bunny, brunch with this lady including tons of juice, waffles, and our new food revolution:

Bressert Kale Chips!

In case you were wondering, it’s breakfast and dessert put together. And these are amazing. As we were discussing what to make for brunch, I said, “I wonder if anyone has ever made sweet kale chips?”

So both of our jaws dropped and Bressert Kale Chips were born.

We decided on making Vanilla Cinnamon-Raisin Bressert Kale Chips…

Oh hot darn.

Vanilla Cinnamon-Raisin Bressert Kale Chips

Ingredients:

• Kale
• 1.25 cups cashews, soaked overnight
• 1 cup water
• Cinnamon (1-2 tsp.)
• Raisins
• Vanilla Stevia drops (about 20)
• Maple syrup or agave to taste

Directions:

1. Blend cashews and water, then add all ingredients but raisins.
2. Add raisins and stir to combine after blending.
3. Completely massage into chopped kale with mixture and dehydrate overnight.
4. Devour.

You cannot even taste the kale in these. It is absolutely redonk, and absolutely delicious. I have no idea why this has never been done before, but I have to say I have never been more impressed with a recipe idea in my entire life.

Katelyn + Lisa = dynamic duo

It should come as no surprise that we ate the entire batch.

Oh and we also ate the entire batch of the Chocolate Bressert Kale Chips. Chocolatey deliciousness? Yezzir:)

Chocolate Bressert Kale Chips

Instructions:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup cashews (soaked for a few hours)
• 20 drops Cocoa Bean Extract (I love NuNaturals)
• 1tbsp cacao powder (or you could use carob)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (local!)

Directions:

1. Blend cashews and water, then add all other ingredients.
2. Completely massage into chopped kale with mixture and dehydrate overnight.
3. Devour.

Ohhh snap!

Or should I say….

Crunch?

Smiles all around:) We ate the entirety of both batches.

Why we are such culinary geniuses, I have no idea.

So besides the fact that we both ate our own weight in kale chips (at least a cup of cashoos each..I wish I was joking), we also had to have some spritzers (no, madre and padre, no need to worry about alcohol).

She made juice in her rockstar GREEN STAR juicer, it is gorg. It included beet greens, dandelion greens, beets, lemon, parsley, green apple, carrot, and celery.

We combined it with Ginger Ale Zevia for bubbliness and to cut the bitterness:) But I am pretty sure it was just another excuse for us to use Zevia.

Since everyone could use a bit more bubbly in their lives.

Most people would say this looks narsty but I would like to disagree and say it looks scrumdidlyumptious. I espech love the bubblies that the Zevia makes. Doesn’t it look like chia seed gel?!

But no brunch is complete without breakfast foods. Like waffles that taste like cake.

Damnnn shawty, how you get so fly?!

Sprouted buckwheat pancakes with sun warrior, cashoo cream, dehydrated buckwheat/coconut/chia cereal, raspberries and blueberries, and pomegranate juice chia seed gel.

^^ Gorg photo a la Lisa. It is so pretty!

Delicious. Very filling. But not for long:) Lisa and I have the same appetite clock, we both were “mouth hungry” as we like to say, and so we had a second brunchy brunch. Another waffle each, except it started as only half:)

We can never eat just one!

Oh and in case you were wondering, kale chips are REALLY good on top of waffles. Like the kind of good when you would put potato chips in your sandwich as a kid. Except WAY healthier!

Zevia, in a wine glass. What, you don’t drink everything out of a wine glass?

—————————————————————————————————

The Big Surprise: My new baby!

The other day, Lisa tweeted that she had a surprise for me. And when it comes to surprises I absolutely LOVE them but I hate waiting to find out what it is!! It drives me semi-crazy, but in a good way.

And Lisa completely made my day year. My babygirl gave me a JUICER!

Lisa has officially won her spot as a bridesmaid in my future wedding. I have never been so happy in my life:)

I have not yet decided what to name her. My Droid is named Lulu, my computer Adele, and my iPod is Celeste. Any name suggestions?

Yup it’s love. Ignore the hair, it may have to do with the fact that I was out until two last night and didn’t exactly shower this morning. No comment.

At least I brushed my hair

Anywho, with this new baby I had to do some juicin’. And it was delicious. I am in love, it is so much simpler than my blender and much quieter. My blender sounds like a monster waking up every morning.

Don’t come within 100 feet of my house any morning between the hours of five and nine, your ears may weep.

My first homemade juice!!

Look at all of those vitamins! I used spinach, celery, carrot, parsley, lemon, and red pepper.

Poifect snack after a long day of cashoo eating:)

The afternoon and evening was spent with one of my biffs chatting and eating salads and a Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic bowl. Praise sweet baby Jesus, I had not had one all day and it tasted SO good:)

Get ready for some more surprises coming soon:) I have exciting things coming in the mail for me and I cannot sit still in my seat, I can’t wait for them to come!!

See you tomorrow loves:)

What are your favorite juice combos?

No idea yet:) Give me ideas!!

Requests for the next flava flavs of Bressert Kale Chips?

We have some exciting flavor ideas coming up, but we would love your suggestions!!

Favorite waffle topping. GO!

Chia seed gel (carob is mah fave), fruit, and almond butter:)

p.s. Did anyone see the moon last night?! Holy man! I have never seen it so big and bright. Absolutely beautiful.

xoxox,

Made With Love [Indulgence Friday!]

Top o’ the mornin to ya, bloggy boos, and happy Indulgence Friday! How are you?

I am rockin because it is FRIDAY and I am currently munchity munching on some goodies Slash later on I will be at the gymsky doing my thang and then going out to dinner with my friend Mickey who I have not seen in forEVER. He is probs reading this right now, so hey, hey, hey  Mickey! (name that song!)

His Madre is going vegan for Lent, so you know how happy that makes me. What a wise woman.

Anywho, yesterday was THE most gorgeous day I have seen in the last million years of this nuclear winter. (The Day After Tomorrow, anyone?) So obviously with sunshine and 64 degree weather (say whaaaa?) I was basically jumping out of my seat in class waiting to go outside and run in the sunshine!!

It was gorg, I was sweaty, it was awesome.

Here you go Janae babygirl!! My post-run picture for you:)

The Padre kicked my bootay. My total for the day: 8 miles. Feel the burn!

I was still majorly sore from the Kettlebells class that Lisa and I took Tuesday night (HOLY MUSCLES) so it was not exactly my fastest run. It’s aight though, I am pretty sure I got a tad less pale.

Oh and I may have gotten new kicks immediately afterwards. I was going to get the updated version of my Asics, but I decided to try on some new shoes as well because my arches/footstrike have changed over the last year.

I decided to go with the Nike Zoom Structures. I like them MUCH better because they are leveled off more towards the front of the foot, which makes it much easier to move my footstrike to near the middle and front of my foot rather than my heel.

And I obviously had to try the Nike Free’s. The rock in case you wanted to know. I am most likely going to make these a birthday present to myself when July rolls around. I would be so super speedy in these!!

It’s sideways, I can’t figs out how to fix it and I’m a tech whiz so that’s unusual. You’ll  probs have to turn your head.

Oh and since you all know about my obsession with Darren Criss (is he gay or is he not gay? That is the question), here is a song that will make you dancy wancy:

http://www.hulu.com/embed/qNMwZl4tTji4qNXMdZ0GQQ

Feel free to swoon.

Oh snap.

—————————————————————————————————

Okay so besides the fact that Darren was clearly made with love….I have something else for you that is as well. And even more delicious. Wait, Mrs. Hall did you hear that?! Double-entendre up in this jointtt!

Anywhos, a few weeks ago (yes, weeks…bad blogger, bad blogger) I got a hugh jass package of granola from Love Grown Foods.

When Laura from Love Grown contacted me asking if I would be interested in trying some, I jumped right on that! We all know that I am about the crunch. (hello carrots)

So, I opened it right away and found a sweet note from Laura and the Love Grown Team. Awe:)

You’re welcome, Laura!

Anyway, onto the flava flavs! I was sent Raisin Almond Crunch, Sweet Cranberry Pecan, and Cocoa Goodness. They obviously knew what they were getting at when they put “goodness” in the name. Hooked immediately.

The best part about this granola is that it is made with no artificial sweeteners or sugar. It is made completely with Agave Nectar, which I love but do not use very often because, in my mind, sugar is sugar no matter where you find it. However, there was not an overpowering sweetness in any of them.

Gluten-free and vegan? Say no more.

I will start off with my personal favorite, which is a dead giveaway because it has raisins in it. You knew this was coming, people!

Raisin Almond Crunch:

I absolutely loved this flavor. Cinnamon-y, crunchy, and filled with almonds, coconut, and RAISINS! The star of the show:)

I had a few issues keeping my hand out of the cookie jar bag. Give me da crunch!

Next up was the Sweet Cranberry Pecan.

I am not a HUGE fan of cranberries, but I love pecans, so I loved this. I think I may be a cranberry lover now!:)

Next up was Cocoa Goodness.

Holy goodness.

I am not going to lie, this did not disappoint. I love all things chocolate and this was no different. Let’s just say this one is the most empty bag in the house. Even though Raisin Almond Crunch will always have my heart:)

The coconut in all of them made me super happy, because as you know, lately I  have been addicted to coconut. I used to hate it because all I knew existed was the sugary, processed jank. But real coconut, I like:)

That’s all for today, loves!! See you tomorrow:)

On the sched:

• Out to din din tonight, then going to a little shebang.
• Lisa’s in the morning for a raw brunch and girl talk
• Spending the afternoon and evening with a girlfriend of mine who I have not seen in way too long. There will be plenty of bonding, including Hot Tub Time Machine. Best movie ever, if you have not seen it go do it now, you can thank me later.

Disclaimer (stolen from Chels): Love Grown Granola was kind enough to send me these complimentary samples to review. I was not compensated for my review on their products, and all opinions expressed are purely my own.

Are you a Gleek?

I am Globsessed. <—I think I just made up a new word. I think I’m going to have to make up a CK dictionary.

FAVORITE RUNNING SNEAKER. Go!

Nike Free’s. I am going to get my hands on a pair, just you wait.

How are you celebrating Indulgence Friday?

Going out to din din and going to a get-together! Going out to dinner is definitely and indulgence..I am a broke student, it happens.

Favorite granola add-ins?

Raisins, unsweetened chocolate, almonds…crunchetize me, cap’n!

Edit: DARREN CRISS IS STRAIGHT. Praise the sweet baby Jesus, my day has been made.

xoxox,

why not thrive? + socca to me!

Good morning rays of sunshine:) How are you?

Okay so this morning I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. The Padre is going on the Brendan Brazier Thrive Diet for 30 days!!

GUYS I AM SO EXCITED this means the Padre will be eating just. like. me. I have never been so excited in my entire life.

Aren’t you proud of him?!

This is going to SKYROCKET his running performance and recovery, plus it will help him when he goes back to work (April 1st!). Padre will soon be eating a Cookie Dough Bowl and a Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic Bowl. Oh yes. Just you wait.

Here is a rough meal plan I made for him:

Thrive Meal Plan

Breakfast:

In a bowl:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp. almond butter
• 1 tbsp. chia or ground flax seeds
• Fruit
• Almond/hemp/coconut milk, etc.

Or

In a bowl:

• 1 scoop Vega protein powder (black canister in snack cabinet)
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 tbsp. flax seeds
• ½ cup – 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp. carob powder (optional)
• Non-dairy milk

Or

In a bowl:

• 2 tbsp. almonds
• 1 tbsp. chia or ground flax seeds
• 1 tbsp. hemp protein
• Fruit
• Non-dairy milk
• Carob powder (optional)

Or

Smoothie (blender)

• Recipes in Thrive Diet Recipe section
  • Generally, include lots of fruit, a few tablespoons of seeds and nut butter, and some hemp protein powder.

Lunch/Dinner:

• Big salad (romaine/spinach/mixed greens) or veggies
• 1 cup cooked pseudograins (quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth)
• 1 cup lentils/beans/hummus
• Handful of seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, chia, flax, sesame, hemp) or almonds
• Top all with balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, and hempseed oil or EFA oil blend
• For other ideas, there are fantastic recipes in the Thrive Diet book.

Snacks:

• Energy Bars
• Vegetables with hummus
• Fruit with a handful of almonds
• Smoothie (see Thrive Diet recipes)
• ½ cup quinoa mixed with ½ cup lentils and your choice of dressing (marinara tastes great!), with veggies
• Banana with almond butter or handful of almonds

Pre-Workout Nutrition:

• About an hour before working out, Energy Pudding is best. In mini-chop, combine:
  • 1 banana
  • ¼ cup dates (about 6-8)
  • 2 tbsp. ground flaxseed
  • ½ tbsp. coconut oil (cereal cabinet)
  • 1 tbsp. carob (optional)
  • Splash of water
• Immediately before working out, if necessary, eat carbohydrates. This includes all fruits, mainly bananas, dates, and other dried fruits.

Post-Workout Nutrition:

• After a workout, a smoothie is best. Within 45 minutes, ingest a high-carbohydrate drink with small amounts of protein and fat. The general smoothie recipe is:
  • 1 banana
  • ¼ cup dates
  • 1 tbsp. hemp protein
  • 1 tsp. EFA oil blend
  • 1 tsp. dulse flakes
  • Water
  • Grated ginger (optional)

• One to two hours after your smoothie, eat a high-protein meal, such as the lunch and dinner suggestions above.

SO this means he will also be eating some of the food I cook. Sharing is caring

Last week during a day when I got to come home for lunch, I (successfully) made socca! My first attempt was rather um burnt, but it’s fine this one turned out amaze and tasted even better.

And since I can’t eat things just plain (um hello, Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic Bowl), I had to make it socca pizza. And let me tell you, it was so good I ate it for lunch AND dinner.

So make this tonight, or you will be kicking yourself in the pants when you actually do try it and realize you should have made it sooner.

You have been warned.

Socca Pizza

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• Pinch of stevia
• Marinara sauce
• Nooch (nutritional yeast)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease a round 9-inch cake pan with EVOO.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine garbanzo bean flour, salt, stevia, and some hefty shakes of Italian seasoning.
3. Add water and oil, and mix thoroughly until all clumps are gone.
4. Pour into your cake pan and sprinkle with more Italian Seasoning.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is firm.
6. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, and then invert and let it cool on a cooling rack, or upside down on a plate.
7. Cut and top with marinara, nooch, and spinach lettuce or other veggies if desired.
8. Enjoy!

This was absolutely perfect.

I was expecting a funny flavor (pre-baking, the batter tastes horrendous), but it was so. good. Subtly sweet, yet savory at the same time.

I topped mine with Amy’s Low Sodium Marinara and nooch.

On my Pooh plate, obvs.

Can I just eat this every day for the rest of my life?

Sooo dense. My fave. Don’t give me fluff, give me substance.

Devoured.

So as I said, make this tonight. Don’t be kicking yourself in the pants later on;)

See you tomorrow loves!

Have you ever tried socca?

YESSS thank goodness I finally made it!

Have you ever helped a parent or family member to eat differently?

My sister went vegan thanks to my influence, and now I’m helping the Padre maximize his marathon training!

What are your favorite pre- and post-exercise snacks?

See above:)

xoxox,

I’m a walking holiday!

Good (afternoon) bloggy boos! How are you?

I am currently noshing on a cookie dough bowl because um I woke up after eleven. Whaddafuh people this NEVER happens to me! I am usually the girl that can’t sleep past eight. This is abnormal but I am embracing the need for sleep, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

So anywho, yesterday as I was driving to din din with Hollie, I noticed that a. every single bar was packed, and b. everyone was decked out in St. Patty’s day wear. People, St. Patty’s Day isn’t until Thursday, couldn’t you have waited at least until Thirsty Thursday?!

The Jersey Shore-esque title comes from a. The fact that I am the bubbliest person you will ever meet, and b. This guy:

 

Hahaha I was laughing really hard. He was just dancing on the sidewalk, I am pretty sure he was blamin’ it on the juice (name that song!).

Hollie and I met for din din at Natural Oasis, aka the place I go with ALL of my bloggy best friends, since the food is delicious, cheap, healthy, and the staff all know me. They even know my order and the fact that I prefer herbal tea, they don’t even have to ask. It is not unusual for them to ask “How’s the family?” I love being a regular

We started off with two Coconut Milk Chai Teas (herbal) with agave.

When Lisa and I went last weekend, we didn’t get these and I have NO idea why. This was so good!! I went a little heavy-handed with the agave, but it was still delicious nonetheless:)

Then, we ordered two Ethiopian Spiced Green Lentils (below) along with Brussels Sprouts + Cauliflower + Potatoes and Kale + Collard Greens. It obvs came with tons of injera. Not many photographs people, I apologize. I was too caught up in chatting!

Then we went back to mi Casa for cookies and Biggest Loser watching. Guys I am unhealthily obsessed with this show now. Jillian and Bob are my idols, I would love to spend every day making people healthier and (yelling at them) and talking with them about emotional issues.

Because in all honesty, morbid obesity (and obesity in general) is an eating disorder. Although it is not the stereotypical eating disorder, it is one. Instead of depriving themselves to slowly die, they are  overfeeding themselves. It is just as dangerous and emotional as what is thought of to be a more “classic” eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, etc.).

So, we semi-stuffed our faces with cookies, raw chocolate mousse, granola (more on that soon) and a Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic Bowl for my homegirl!

In my classic doggy bowl. Lurve<3

I think it is safe to say she loved it.

A picture together before she left:

Please ignore my scraggly hair. I desperately need a haircut! Slash a hairbrush. Ya know.

Her boyfran then picked her up and I went to sleep. I am pretty sure I slept an inhumane amount last night, but what can I say I love to snooze:) Besides, I have to save up my lack-of-sleep abilities for the school week!

See you in the morning lovelies!! Until then, you can wonder how on Earth one tiny person can eat this giant container of hummus in three days. Yup people that just happened.

I am pretty sure it’s bigger than my head. Bee tee dubs this is a quadruple batch of my homemade hummus. You know you have a problem when you go through that much hummus in three days…with no help.

Anyone interested in having a hummus-raisin-balsamic lovers party?! I will gladly host

Don’t forget to send in your Mission: I Feel Pretty pictures! These always make my day:)

Do you watch Jersey Shore?

Only while I’m working out:) Trash tv is only allowed while you’re doing something productive!

Are you a hummus-lover too?

I think the pictures speak for themselves;)

How are you being a walking holiday today?

Being as bubbly as Perrier and spreading smilessss:)

xoxox,

the cookie monster.

Good morning love doves, and happy weekend! How are you?

Today I am smiling ear-to-ear for a few reasons.

1. Last night CK got the most views in the history of the bloggy! Honeybunches I cannot even explain to you how warm and fuzzy my heart is right now, can we all have a bloggy sleepover please and eat tons of homemade cookies? More on that in a bit:)
2. Yesterday I had the honor of being featured on So Delicious Dairy Free’s Fan Page! And there is a SLIGHT possibility there will be a giveaway involved sometime in the near future:)
3. Yesterday I took Body Pump for the first time in, uh, a year. WHY DID I SKIMP OUT FOR A WHOLE YEAR I missed it so muchhh! And now my hammies are sore as a beeyotch. Glorious. From the Padre, quote: “My butt hurts.” Hahaha that marathoner cried wee wee wee all the way home:)

   
   ^^ Got mah game face on.

   Don’t be fooled by how tan I look. I am actually super pale, I love my camera! It makes me look less pasty:)

4. I slept more than twelve hours last night. Much needed, and much deserved. As a student I rarely get enough sleep (in my books I need at least 8 hours), so this was especially special:)
5. Tonight I will be having din din with one of my favorite blends (bloggy friends), Hollie! Can’t wait to stuff our faces with cookies togeths girl!
6. I am currently watching The Biggest Loser while blogging. I freaking love Hulu.
7. I spent the entire night baking. Cookies. Approximately fifty of them. Allow me to explain. I put four times the amount of baking soda necessary for my base cookie recipes, so the Madre said I had “no choice but to quadruple the recipe”. The Padre jokingly said that it would be a TERRIBLE thing to have four times more cookies in the house. I couldn’t help but agree;)

Behold, two new cookie recipes!

All are based off of my Gluten-Free Raspberry Amaretto Cookies, Orange-Cranberry Cookies, and Chocolate-Covered Banana Cookies.

As usual, they are gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, whole-grain, and full of protein and healthy fats. Uh, scoresky!

Since I didn’t want a million of the same type of cookie, I figured why not divide up the dry mix and try out a couple new flava flavs?

So I did.

Since there are so many photographs, this story I am going to tell in pictures. Enjoy!

^^ Hahaha that is definitely not normal.

Chocolate-Covered Banana Cookies (below. Click for the recipe!)

Thin Mint Meringue Cookies

Dense and fluffy at the same time, these cookies have a flavor similar to that of the childhood favorite with the appearance of a meringue cookie.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup quinoa flour
• 3/4 cup + 1/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1/3 cup almond meal (almond flour)
• 1/4 cup NuStevia Baking Blend (or your choice of sweetener)
• 1/3 cup cocoa or carob powder (unsweetened)
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tbsp. xanthan gum
• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp. ground flax seeds mixed into wet ingredients)
• 1 tbsp. chocolate extract
• 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tbsp. peppermint extract
• Non-dairy milk (I used Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, except for flax seeds.
3. In a separate, smaller bowl, mix wet ingredients and flax seed meal. Let sit for a few minutes.
4. Combine wet and dry in the larger bowl and add coconut milk until desired cookie-dough consistency. You want it thick enough to hold its shape, but not so thick that they may turn out dry.
5. Scoop by the tablespoon onto your cookie sheet and flatten slightly if necessary.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Enjoy!

If that thin mint deliciousness was not enough for you, here is recipe numero dos!

Coconut-Almond Macaroons

Dense and delicious, these are not your typical macaroons. Enjoy with a tall glass of non-dairy milk, or some pineapple!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup quinoa flour
• 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1/3 cup almond meal (almond flour)
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 cup NuStevia Baking Blend (or your choice of sweetener)
• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp. flax mixed with wet ingredients)
• 1 tbsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract
• Non-dairy milk (I used Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, except for flax seeds.
3. In a separate, smaller bowl, mix wet ingredients and flax seed meal. Let sit for a few minutes.
4. Combine wet and dry in the larger bowl and add coconut milk until desired cookie-dough consistency. You want it thick enough to hold its shape, but not so thick that they may turn out dry.
5. Scoop by the tablespoon onto your cookie sheet and flatten slightly if necessary.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Enjoy!

I ate way too many cookies last night.

I mean, what is a girl to do when there are bowls to lick and warm cookies to eat?

Uh, eat.

So I did.

I would call that a “great success” numero dos:)

And now my freezer is full of cookies. Looks like I won’t be doing much baking for awhile!

I am off to shower and then go see The King’s Speech. Later on I’ll be having dinner and TONS of cookies with Holls!

See you tomorrow lovlies:)

Workout Song of the Day:

Backseat by New Boyz. Don’t judge the artist name, I promise you will rock out to this song. It is best on zee spin bike!:)

p.s. I have been way too serious-sounding for my liking lately. Don’t worry my crazykins self will show itself again tomorrow, don’t worry chickadees

What are your Saturday plans?

King’s Speech, sprucing up at home, dinner, then stuffing my face with cookies and watching Biggest Loser with my homegirl.

Any cookie flavor requests?

I am MORE than happy to make more cookies:)

Are you obsessed with the Biggest Loser too?!

I recently became hooked. Why I never watched it before I am stumped. I LOVE YOU HULU

xoxox,