Nutrition Nut on the Run

#makeitcount training plan.

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Good morning + happy twenty twelve (I like the sound of that!).

5 weeks from today, I’m running half-marathon no. 6, so I started the year with my first long training run of 8 miles, ending my 6-day running streak at 40 miles. #gothedistance

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My new running toy is excellent motivation.

I’ll be honest, the run wasn’t enjoyable – the miles were long and sluggish – but it did feel good to see my stats afterwards. #justdoit

So, today officially starts my training for Half #6 (according to me). I’m pulling this training plan outta my a—, so I hope it works… a.k.a. gets me a PR.

Half-Marathon Training in T-5 Weeks

  • HIIT 2x/week
  • 1 long run/week
    • Week 1: 8 mi.
    • Week 2: 9 mi.
    • Week 3: 11 mi.
    • Week 4: 13 mi.
    • Week 5: 9 mi.
  • yoga at least 1x/week
  • strength training 2-3x/week

What do ya think? I want push myself – run fast, lift heavy, stretch – and, of course, remember the importance of rest days. #makeitcount

With my first run of 2012 done, I “treated” myself to a healthy bowl of buckwheat.

1/4 c. 1% milk + 3/4 c. H20.  1/4 c. buckwheat.  1/2 banana.  1/4 c. blueberries.
1T flax, cinnamon.  walnut butter.  #delicious

 

How did you end twenty eleven + start twenty twelve?

Hill on the run

chia cherry oatmeal.

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Let me introduce you to possibly the best bowl of oatmeal I’ve ever had…

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I did not want to take the last bite of this incredibly tasteful fruit + nut medley, I will tell you that.

chia cherry oatmeal.

  • 1 c. water
  • 1/3 c. steel cut oats
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 T chia seeds
  • 1/2 T ground flax
  • 1 T sweetened dried cherries
  • 1 T dry roasted almonds
  • 1 heaping spoonful pecan butter

In a small pot, boil 1 c. water. Add oats, banana and seeds. Stir vigorously until bananas are like fluffy pillows and the oatmeal has a whipped consistency [about 3-5 minutes]. Pour into a serving bowl and top with cherries, almonds and pecan butter. 

It’s so fun to spice up your oatmeal with a few new ingredients… at least for a foodie ;) Believe it or not, I’ve never had chia seeds [except for in an energy bar, perhaps]! I don’t know why not. They can easily be added to so many recipes, and their nutritional profile is top notch. A while back, Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats wrote a post about the benefits of chia seeds – a great read!

I think I’m going to go lick the pecan butter packet clean, and then head out for some errands… possibly stopping at my favorite local coffee shop for a warm drink. It’s chilly outside!

Stay tuned for more on my serious sugar struggle.

Happy Thursday!

Hillary

Get ‘er Done

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4 classes + 1 final exam + 3 hours scrambling to pick up my group’s slack for our oral presentation tomorrow = my 10-hour day at school after a week “break”. Welcome back to reality!

2 weeks and 4 finals to go. I got this. Time to “get ‘er done”! [Did I really just say that? Oh, Chico… you’re rubbing off on me.]

Giveaway Winner:

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Betty – your Artisana butters are on their way to your door :)

Holiday Break Exercise:

Monday

32-minute run

Tuesday

55-minute run

Wednesday

60-minute run

Thursday

86-minute run + a few planks & push-ups as the pie baked ;)

Friday

60-minute DanceFit

Saturday

Sunday

36-minute run

Did you score any good deals today for Cyber Monday?

School got in the way of my shopping today – dang it – but I am determined to squeeze in some holiday shopping between exam prep and group projects. And who said being a student isn’t a full-time job!? Mac and cheese, little sleep, Starbucks studying, and stress-relieving runs at the WREC. That’s life ‘til December 17th.

Stay warm. Stay well.

Hillary

Running Tuesday: Injury Episode

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Good morning!

Running Tuesday is off to a great start around here. I met a couple of my girlfriends for a 55-minute run through the Redwood forest this morning. It was snowing lightly before we started! 32* is cold when you’re wearing shorts – silly me. It was refreshing to say the least. I do love a muddy run every now and again.

What I do not love, though, is that I’ve been experiencing some pain in my knees as of recently =/ For as long as I’ve been running, I’ve never dealt with knee discomfort. I’m quite nervous, as I would hate to have an injury drag me down. I know knee injuries are not uncommon for runners, so do you have any advice for me? What should I do before things take a turn for the worse?

Have you encountered any running-related knee injuries?

Since it’s Running Tuesday and all, I think it’s about time I post my exercise from last week. My four three workouts are pretty pathetic, but it’s all I squeezed into my crazy week. It’s the start of a new week, and so far I’m 2 for 2 [yesterday was a rushed 32-minute run].

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  • 32-minute treadmill run [4 miles]

30 minutes @ 7.5mph [10 ea. @ -0.5, 0.0, 0.5 incline]

2 minutes @ 8.0mph

  • abs, arms, stretch
wednesday
  • 1 mi. indoor track run @ 7:45
  • 1 mi. indoor track run – not timed
  • 16-minute treadmill run [~2.1 mi.]
  • 4-minute treadmill walk
  • 8-minute bike
  • abs + rear end
thursday
  • 20-minute spin [7.5 mi.]
  • 20-minute treadmill run [2.6 mi.]

8 min .@ 7.5mph / 2 min. @ 8.0mph

6 min. @ 7.5mph / 4 min. @ 8.0mph

  • push-ups, planks, squats, stretch, etc.
saturday
  • Girls on the Run 5K [walk/jog]

Ok, all caught up!

* * *

To warm up my chilly muscles after my freezing run, I whipped up one epic bowl of oatmeal:

  • 1 c. water
  • 1/3 c. rolled oats
  • 1/2 ripe banana, whipped in [ate the other half]
  • ground flax + cinnamon
  • pecan [with cashew] butter – holy yum!
  • cacao nibs

If you want a taste of the most incredible pecan butter, go enter my Nutty November GIVEAWAY!

* * *

Time for a hot shower and then a much-needed haircut – woot woot!!

Cheers to another Running Tuesday,

Hillary

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Stay tuned for recipes!

A Nutty November GIVEAWAY

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Hey friends.

I want to take a break from my cooking extravaganza [details to come] to let you all know about a nutty opportunity I have for you.

If you were drooling over the generous gift Artisana sent me, then I think you’ll be excited about this…

Artisana has kindly offered to send one of my readers an 8 oz. jar of coconut butter and a sampler of their individual butters.

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To have a box of bliss sent to your door:
  • Tell me about your favorite nutty recipe.
  • Make a note about the giveaway in a blog post.
  • Tweet, including a link.
  • Subscribe via RSS.

Leave a comment for each way of entry. You have until Sunday, November 28th @ 8:00pm to enter.

* * *

Speaking of nutty goodness, I had my first taste of walnut [with cashew] butter for breakfast today on a piece of whole wheat toast + banana slices and cacao nibs – such a treat!

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Guests are arriving shortly for dinner…

Have a good night,

Hillary

Bliss in a Box

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Coming home was exciting, but even more exciting was a big brown box box with my name on it waiting to be opened. Before bringing in my brimming laundry basket, I found a pair of scissors and sliced apart the cardboard top. Inside was a gift sent from the heavens… I mean Artisana.

The loot:
  • 1 jar of Coconut Butter
  • 1 jar of Cacao Bliss [a.k.a. chocolate coconut butter]
  • 1 giant jar of Cashini [cashew & sesame seed] Butter
  • and 10 minis, including walnut, pecan, and macadamia nut butters – ummm, yum!

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Be still my nutty heart.

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What’s so special about Artisana products?

They only use 100% certified organic nuts, seeds, and coconut meat. This means no toxic pesticides, chemicals, or genetically modified organisms.

They don’t add any extra ingredients, such as salt, sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors.

The ingredients are raw, not roasted, and made into butter with a low temperature process. All of the enzymes, proteins and vitamins are in their natural state and fully utilized by the body.

They’re healthy! Products provide key nutrients, such as iron and essential fatty acids.

 

I’m not sure which of these specialty butters to sample first. What would you do with macadamia or tahini butter!? I think a spoonful of Cacao Bliss sounds like a dessert all in itself :)

I’ll see y’all in the a.m. after DanceFit and a buttery breakfast!

Hillary

“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.”

Don’t Fight the Feeling

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1. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to watch last night’s episode of The Bachelorette at 10:30 a.m. in your sweaty and muddy exercise clothes.

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2. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting lunch 2 hours after eating breakfast.

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3. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting a PB&J for lunch, despite eating a bowl of carbohydrates for breakfast. Just eat your vegetables.

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4. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to take photos outside in the grass for the 16th time this summer.

5. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to take a nap after an 84-minute run, including 3 longgg hill repeats.

6. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to bake zucchini bread an hour before dinner.

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7. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to add chocolate chips.

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Summer Bliss Bread

[original recipe from me!]

Dry.

  • 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
  • 1/3 c. rolled oats
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

Wet.

  • 1/2 c. canola oil
  • 1/2 c. organic cane sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 T non-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

  • 2 c. zucchini, shredded
  • 1/2 c. walnuts, toasted & chopped
  • 1/4 c. chocolate chips

In a smallish bowl, mix together dry ingredients. In a medium-large bowl, whisk together oil and sugar. Whisk in eggs, 1 at a time. Add yogurt and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with the zucchini [minimal mixing is key]. Fold in nuts and chips. Plop into a greased loaf pan and bake @ 375* for 50-60 minutes.

8. Don’t fight the feeling of wanting to smear a piece with Cacao Bliss – life’s too short.

A relaxing day at the Hillary household: running, napping, baking. I hope you enjoyed a moment of relaxation on this Tuesday, too : )

See you!

Hillary

  • Did you participate in Running Tuesday? I sure as heck did!
  • Are you watching this season of The Bachelorette? Your pick? Roberto!
  • What do you like to do with zucchini? Besides baking… grilling it, or adding it to vegetable stir-fry or pasta.

* * *

ANNOUNCEMENT: SEEKING ROOMMATE(S) for HLS

I am looking for 1+ roommates for Sunday night of the Healthy Living Summit. Also, Courtney and I are willing to share our room on Thursday night, if anyone is in need of a room then.

I already have the rooms reserved for Thursday and Sunday night [I’m rooming with others Friday + Saturday]; I am just hoping to reduce the cost of the hotel expense and meet some more amazing health bloggers by sharing a room.

Please let me know [by e.mail] if you, or anyone you know, is interested. Can’t wait for Chicago! : )

So, I write…

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Today hasn’t been a terrific Tuesday. It’s been one of those days where you encounter one rude, snappy person after another. It’s been one of those days where you have an afternoon breakdown in your car and the the next best thing to self-pity is a foamy latte and piece of Chocolove Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almonds. Then, to rid of any lasting frustration, you write. Writing is how I deal. I like to spell out my life on “paper”. I like pressing each individual key on the keyboard in a syncopated melody. I like taking my life and turning it into poetry. I don’t talk a whole lot. When I do, it’s quietly. But when I write, I can be bold, precise, truthful, raw. Writing is how I deal. So, that’s what I am doing now. There will also be some photographs thrown in from yesterday. Yesterday was a good day, and since I like to focus on the positives, we’ll stick with Monday, fast forward over today, and then take it from Wednesday… Wednesdays are always wonderful.

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 A KERF-style lunch

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 Sprouted Wheat tortilla, local hummus, little gem lettuce & veggies

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food should taste good blue corn chips

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carrot crunch & kombucha

I had an amazing afternoon snack. After my awful experience with whey protein powder, I was so excited to have found Amazing Grass to add to my Chocolate Cherry Bomb Green Monster smoothies. I had no stomach issues this time around – my tummy loves GREENAGE.

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100% Organic
1 frozen banana
1/2 c. frozen cherries
1 1/2 c. spinach
3/4 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Chocolate Amazing Grass

 

With a boost of green energy, I was ready to do some baking! Enter one of Angela’s splendid vegan creations…

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Cherry Coconut Butter Banana Bread

[original recipe @ Oh She Glows]

  • 1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
  • 2 T ground flax
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 1/2 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 c. real maple syrup
  • 1/4 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 3 T canola oil
  • 2 T coconut butter
  • 1/2 c. chopped + toasted pecans
  • 6-8 halved + pitted cherries
  • 1 tsp. unsweetened coconut

In a medium bowl, mix together dry ingredients. In a small bowl, melt coconut butter in the microwave for approx. 20 seconds. In another bowl, mash 2 whole bananas, then add other wet ingredients (including the coconut butter). Whisk until combined. Add wet to dry. Mix minimally, then fold in chopped pecans and other half of banana, coarsely chopped. Plop into a greased loaf pan and place cherries on top along with a sprinkling of leftover chopped pecans and 1 tsp. of unsweetened coconut. Bake @ 350* for 45-50 minutes.

Note: My loaf did not turn out as ooey gooey as Angela’s. In fact, it was quite the opposite – dry and ‘wheaty’. After spending a sh*t ton on pecans at the store and chopping them for the recipe, I forgot to fold them in – oopsie. Perhaps follow Angela’s recipe more precisely, as mine didn’t get a whole lot of praising from my critics. I ended up smearing mine with [non-vegan] buttah : )

* * *

I often get lazy when it comes to dinner – it’s, by no means, my favorite meal of the day – but, I try to keep it nutritious nevertheless.

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Grilled Tofu with Apricot Ginger Teriyaki
+
crazy cabbage slaw
cabbage, red onion, shredded carrot, bell pepper & avocado
tossed with canola oil, toasted sesame oil & seasoned rice vinegar

I’ve been at the computer more than my liking today, so I’m outta here. Until I write again…

Hillary

  1. How do you deal with your frustration?
  2. Do you have any favorite vegan recipes?

Lovable Locations

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Hi there! Goodness, I’ve got lots of great things to share – I guess that’s what happens when you abandon your blog. If today’s Friday – it is, right? – then I believe I’ve left ya’ll hanging since No-Waffle Wednesday. Well, I spent the day running errands and packing every item of clothing I own in preparation for my journey West. I stopped at the natural foods store to pick up a couple of items [Artisana minis], and came out with a can of…

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Soda?

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Of course not!

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Coconut this and coconut that. It seems to be everywhere lately. I have been wanting to give this so called “thirst-quencher” a try; since I’ve been sweating so much – especially in spin – I thought this ‘isotonic sports drink’ would be ideal for the gym. I filled my water bottle half with coconut water, half with regular purified water, and lotsa ice. Of course, I took a few sample swigs before class – not bad at all!

Despite arriving at The Resort 30-minutes early, I wasn’t able to get a bike for my antipcated spin class – shucks. I was terribly disappointed I wasn’t going to be able to test out my new liquid during an hour of high-intensity riding. Instead, I ran 1.5 miles around the indoor track, spun solo for 17 miles [45 minutes], and finished with arms + abs strength training [machines + 10lb. free weights].

Unfortunately, the coconut water was not appealing during my ride. I was weary that this might happen as I have never been of fan of sweet sports drinks. I don’t like the neon-color for one, and my taste buds are very sensitive to sweetness when I’m exercising. Odd, I know, because I have a huge sweet tooth, but I’m usually only able to stomach water. I’m going to try it again as a post-workout hydrator since its nutritional profile is quite exquisite. It is naturally low in carbohydrates and sugar, and is 99% fat free.

A few hours before my workout, I enjoyed a new frothy blender creation:

  • 8 oz. chocolate soy milk
  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 tsp. instant espresso powder
  • ice
  • extra dark chocolate chips for garnish

* If you make this at home [please do!], I would suggest using 1 whole frozen banana in place of the ice for added creaminess/thickness.

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Photogenic phood = love.

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* * *

Alright, so yesterday… I was off to an early start with a less than par night of sleep [chocolate overdose = wide awake with a tummy ache]. After stuffing Little Blue to the max with my belongings, and eating a bowl of bran, I knew next I needed to inject my veins with caffeine for my day of driving. Luckily, I had a free birthday drink : )

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I used the gift to its full advantage and ordered a venti iced soy latte – it was a monster!

After a 4.5-hour drive, I finally made it to my destination. Humboldt County, sweet, Humboldt County. I was so anxious to get out of the car and loosen my tense traveling muscles, so I immediately slipped into my running shoes and sprinted my usual, short route – just 29 minutes and I was a red hot, sweaty mess!

I showered up quick and then met my dad for sushi at our favorite sushi restaurant. I’ve been dreaming of this roll for months. Ahhh, at last…

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My Dragonfly Roll: tempura prawn, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrot, cilantro, chopped macadamia nuts + a sweet chili sauce w/ brown rice

 

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Dad’s Roll

 

I saved room for a scoop of local, organic ice cream.

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Honey Vanilla Lavender perfection

 

I attempted to blog last night, but between a finicky computer, SYTYCD, and heavy eye lids – there stood no chance. Instead, I headed straight upstairs to my little yellow and blue room and fell fast asleep.

After a solid, cool night’s sleep – finally! – I walked down to my old dance studio for 1 hour of DanceFit this morning… nostalgia hit hard as the studio was filled with props for tomorrow’s 10th anniversary recital. Thinking about twisting and turning in that studio for 10 years is something so so special to me.

Breakfast after class – I was hangry!

  • 1 c. water
  • 1/2 c. thick cut oats
  • 1/2 T ground flax
  • 1/2 banana – cooked
  • organic blueberries
  • organic raspberries from our garden
  • walnuts + honey

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Grass is good

 

This beautiful bowl didn’t keep my hunger satisfied as expected, so I headed downtown to find a bite to eat and to bring my mama a coffee and cookie at work [Happy Cookie Friday!]. While walking through the isles of our local groceries and standing in line at the corner coffee joint, I found myself thinking about how each and every visit home, I am amazed by the place I’m from, my roots. Here are a few reasons why:

1. No matter what season, you are surrounded by beautiful nature.

2. The people are free spirited & friendly.

3. The baristas take the time to make art atop your latte.

4. Your 5-year-old neighbor comes pounding on your door moments after you pull into the driveway just to show you his new toy cars.

5. You don’t have to run with your cell phone in fear of being a girl running alone; you are able to run with ease & confidence… and there aren’t stoplights.

6. Jeans and a sweatshirt are appropriate 365 days of the year.

Do you like where you’re from?

Do you like where you reside now?

What is something unique about your hometown?

* * *

My mom and I are going to stroll around The Plaza tonight for the monthly showing of local artists’ work – including live music, munchies and wine [reason #7].

I’ll be “seeing” you soon…

Be Well,

Hillary

P.S. Happy Birthday to JENNA, my daily inspiration for doing what I’m doing.

Desiring Direction

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Yesterday was a rather rotten day. Instead of ranting about it to ya’ll, I decided to clear my mind from my restless thoughts, run to the Red Box, rent Dear John for $1, and curl up in my bed with a sweet, romantic movie and tub of granola my mama made for me. It was a wonderful escape while it lasted, but, unfortunately, movies don’t last forever. When I turned the movie off, my life turned back on.

Normally, this isn’t such a horrible thing; however, when you’re feeling lost in your own world – you don’t have a map, Google directions, or a GPS telling you what turn to make next [in an Australian accent] – your uncertainty increases and the smiling decreases.

Those who know me well can tell those of you who may now be just learning of my existence, that I do well with a plan… and not so well without one. I organize obsessively, think about the future unnecessarily, and prefer each day to have a purpose. That being said, I’ve been out of school 16 days now, and for those 16 days, I’ve been working on mapping out the rest of my summer – dispersing my resume as if it were Halloween candy, chatting with friends about travels – and I still have no sense of direction. It makes it more difficult when I am not even entirely sure what I want to do – oh bother. This is the point where a map of Hillary’s Life is suppose to fall from the sky and direct me to my next destination. I know… far fetched.

The dilemma continues: My mighty special birthday is in two weeks, I have a pretty little party dress hanging patiently in my closet, and no job to get me to where I’d like to go. I have a feeling I’ll be headed West this upcoming week, to a place that seems to settle almost anything. It is there I will find the golden road… come with me, won’t you?

* * *

On the topic of being lost, directionless, and blatantly unsure, let’s talk about my blog. I love my little corner in cyber space, I love writing, I LOVE food, I love learning [about food], and I love you all for embracing my passion(s)… BUT, I’m at a place where I feel as though I’ve sort of gone off tangent from the thesis of my blog. Wait… what thesis? My point exactly. If you read my ramble above, you know I function through order. I have hopes that this blog of mine will bring me opportunities. I want to establish myself in this healthy living community that I am so fortunate to have found; I just haven’t decided what route I want to take – the Carrots ‘N’ Cake/Eat Live Run/KERF method, the Joy the Baker method, or something unique all of my own that hasn’t dawned on me yet.

“Thesis” Thoughts:

(a) Daily Eats/Exercise/Healthy Life Blog

(b) Culinary Photography

(c) Nothing but nutrition.

(d) All of the above.

(e) None of the above.

(f) I don’t know.

Because I don’t know much of anything at the moment, I’ll tantalize your taste buds with yesterday’s breakfast:

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(2) coconut carrot quinoa muffins + coconut butter

Well,  my mental writing capacity has reached its limit for the evening. I’ll have to leave my eats [and recipes!] for another time. I’ll be back… hopefully with a cheerier attitude and a few more pieces to the puzzle of my life : )

Goodnight, friends.

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