1 challenge down

So guess what?  While you’re probably more interested in the chocolate-coconut-pnut butter, that is not the challenge I surpassed today.  My first trial for that will be on Thursday.  Have no fear..it is coming ;) 

However, I totally rocked my 18 mile bike ride today!!  So much so, that I actually rode 21 miles :)

• 21 miles – 1hr 21min – 15.5mph

Before we left, I was not 100% excited about the ride.  My body was a little tired, probably from yesterday’s swim, and I didn’t get the best night’s sleep.  We hopped on and made our way to the park.  Chris rode ahead for the first few laps and I tried to get in the zone, at my own pace.  Everything was going fine, not terrible, not fabulous.  However, after about 10 miles I started to feel really good and even better after 15.  Chris lapped me [haha] and hung with me for the last 2 laps [~5m] and just at the point we were going to turn off to head home I sped by and went for another lap!  I felt like I flew on the last lap and it was awesome.  I had planned to do about 18 miles but why stop when you’re feeling good??

Wait.  Back up.  I totally killed a huge breakfast before this ride….and a snack.

Breakfast.

Triple Threat Oats

• 1/3c Bob’s Red Mill Scottish Oats
• 1c water
• 1/4c coconut kefir
• 1/4c applesauce
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2t cinnamon

Topped with:

1. coconut butter
2. maple cinnamon almond butter
3. whole foods organic jam

----

1. dried coconut flakes
2. hemp seeds
3. Annie’s honey bunnies

Move over Irish Steal Cut Oats, these Scottish Oats are amazingly creamy + delicious.  Oh man oh man.

They still take a little longer to cook than rolled oats, but not quite as long as steel cut.  I was completely impressed by these.  I know I’ve only had them once, but texture wise, they miiight be my favorite!!!??  We shall see.

Exactly 2hrs later…[my stomach is SO punctual]…I was ravenous.

Pre-bike snack

1/2 whole wheat tortilla [local!] + 1/2 leftover bananer + ~1T MC-AB

To continue my biking story…I actually spent a lot of the ride thinking about food + my health + blogging.  What strange things run through your head when you’re on a bike, in the water, or moving your feet on pavement.  I was thinking about how much of my life I focus on food.  Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE food.  I don’t have to tell you that.  However, it is somewhat odd when, right after breakfast I am thinking “what shall I make for lunch??”  I could afford to wait at least an hour after breakfast to start thinking about food again…don’t you think? :) 

So, getting away from thinking “what’s for lunch,” although I was pretty hungry while riding and contemplating my lunch…I spent much of the time thinking about the new activities I have recently come to love and I just tried to let my mind “go” on this gorgeous spring day.  Some of my thinking was about when I injured my feet, from pushing too hard-too fast with my Vibrams.  I won’t say that I’m glad I injured my feet.  I mean who wants an injury?  No thanks.  However, I am glad for what it has pushed me to do.  If I didn’t have to take time off from running, I don’t think I would have been as likely to hop in the pool or on a bike.  They are both things I have wanted to do, but I felt like I couldn’t take the break from running.   

I also wouldn’t have started strength training again.  I was too focused on running and was letting that take up most of my workout time.  It was like running was holding me back.  I feel free now!  Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to start running again in my sweet shoes, but I am enjoying this time away from it.  My mind has grown and I feel SO much healthier for expanding my workouts.  I really just became a runner about 1.5yrs ago.  I wasn’t obsessed by any means but just felt like I didn’t have time to incorporate other forms of cardio + conditioning into my routine. 

If you run, and only run and that works for you, that is fabulous.  For me?  I realized I excel with more stimulation.  I swim one day and do a 30min yoga sesh, then bike + rock climb the next.  Some days I Whittle My Middle and some days I lift instead of hitting up the rock gym.  I have seen a definite difference in my body and in how I feel mentally.  I am loving it! 

I also think it’s interesting that I notice myself “getting in the zone” after I’m about 1/2 done with the distance I’m shooting for.  It takes my mind awhile to let go.  This happens to me with yoga as well.  At first, thoughts are racing around my head, but when I start to actually focus on my breathing and my body, things just work so much better.  Focusing on breathing does wonders for my cardio + yoga workouts and also for falling asleep faster.

I’m pretty exhausted right now, so I don’t want to start rambling [too much].  I have more to talk about but would first love to hear if any of you have experienced anything like this?  I want to talk a little more about the satisfaction that comes from rock climbing and how I someday want to put my mind to the test and shoot for a much more difficult endurance race.

Until then…I present you with more food!

Post-ride snack: champagne mango + kiwi + dark chocolate covered pom seeds [my mom sent them from trader joe’s ;) SO good]

Instead of trying to figure out what to make for lunch, Chris and I headed out to Vine Street for a laaate lunch.  This place will never get old to me.  Their menu is huge and they always have about 4 specials each day.  They also have a different hummus + soup each day.  LOVE it.

I started off with an 8oz of their Blackberry Wheat.  They brew their own beers and they are delicious.

It was definitely patio weather.  This beer looks like like juice, but the fruit taste is not too sweet and pretty much summer beer perfection. 

Chris got the vegan Tempeh Reuben.  I brought up how much our food choices have changed and was asking him if 3yrs ago he would ever think he’d be ordering a vegan tempeh sandwich.  Our tastes have definitely changed together.  It’s been fun exploring together :)  Okay and this tempeh was UHmazing.  I’m pretty sure they make it in house and they bake it in their own beer. 

best.tempeh.ever.  with a vegan 1000 island dressing + cheeeese

Prepare to be amazed for some sandwich heaven.  This baby was on special and WOW am I glad I tried it.  It needs to be a regular menu item for sure.

• whole wheat toast
• tons of avocado
• roasted sweet taters
• monterey jack
• few red onions
• sprouts

Creamy + Crunchy

I ate every.single.bite. as I was completely STarving from the bike ride.  I WILL make this at home. 

We went to the rock gym tonight and I finished a problem that I really didn’t think I would be able to complete.  I also got much further on one problem that I basically had given up on because I was convinced I couldn’t get any further because of my height.  I’m so silly.  It felt GREAT to prove myself wrong…twice!  Time for this girl to get some shut-eye.  I’m working tomorrow…catch you all later!

Ashley 

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:

1. Rudi’s Organic multigrain oat toaste
2. organic tomato paste
3. Organic Valley extra sharp white cheddar cheese
4. arugula
5. Veggie Burgers from Costco [about 7 ingredients in the list..impressive..all REAL food]
6. 2 farmer’s market sunny side up eggs
7. 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

crunching bunnies

I had a workout fail this AM.  Working fri-sat-sun and being on my feet for 9hrs for those shifts, makes it hard to want to work out.  I’m completely exhausted by the time I get home.  This morning I didn’t have to be in work until 11am, so I thought I could work in a bike ride.  The weather was really nice this morning, so I hopped on the bike for my first solo ride!  I wanted to do a few laps at the park, at an easy pace, so I wouldn’t be too tired for work.  I got up to the park and was feeling great.  About 3/4 of the way around I ran into a organized walk going on.  I’m not sure what it was for but it looked like it just started.  There was a 1/4 stretch of the loop packed with people.  Weaving through them was not an option. Ooof.  Back home I went.  I’m not ready for joy riding in the streets yet.

I was so excited to be outside in the sun.  At least I got about 3m in.  Better than nothing.  When I got home, I decided to do 30min hip opening yoga flow from yogadownload.  Always a good way to start the morning. 

This is also, always a good way to start the morning!

Crunchy Creamy Oats

• 1/4c Irish steel cut oats
• 1c water
• 1/3c coconut kefir
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2t cinnamon
• topped with:  1T maple cinnamon AB, 1T coconut shreds, 1/4c Annies Honey Bunnies

OMG.  New favorite cereal.  It is sliiightly sweet and so so crunchy.  I love it.  I think I might prefer this to granola on my oats…but I’m not positive yet.  It’s fun to snack on dry as a snack.  The nutritionals are, 120cals for a 3/4c serving, 2g fiber, 3g protein, 7g sugar.  I love how low in sugar this cereal is and still has a nice little amount of fiber + protein.  Best of all, Annie’s products are GUARanteed Monsanto free!!!  You won’t find any GMO in her products or any association with the Monsanto company.  Well done Annie.

While Annie’s products are definitely of the processed variety, it’s fun to include them in my list of eats once in awhile.  The ingredient lists are short and completely recognizable.  This box is going to be gone FAST.

What do you think of the chocolate mint Larabar?  LB’s are definitely growing on me and I have found a few flavors that I completely adore.  This one however, being a HUGE choco mint lover, leaves much to be desired.  The German Chocolate Cake Jocalat bar is pretty boring as well.

Favorite LB’s?  Lemon, Key Lime, Pecan Pie, PB + J

This was my lunch today.  Looks kind of small but it packs in ~500+ calories!  Crazy right?  The sandwich looks like white bread, but it’s actually a multigrain oat.  It’s obviously smeared with Maple Cinnamon AB! 

I adore pears.  Their shape, their color, their texture, peak ripeness…loooooove :)

I got home from work at 8:30pm, ate some foooods then passed out on the couch for about 2hrs.  Now I’m wide awake and it’s 12:30am.  Sweet.  I have so much I want to get done this week.  A few new projects on my mind that I want to start exploring!!  Somehow, I’ve got to get to bed.

I think I’m up for a swim tomorrow and hopefully the rock gym but who knows!  It’s supposedly snowing right now, but I’m scared to go look.  Sick!  It’s almost MAY!!!!!!!

I’m all caught up on comments from the past few days and almost caught up on my google reader…my next big problem to tackle…what to have for a snack? Crunchy bunnies?  Yogurt?  Chocolate?  All of the above?

xo

Ashley