Cilantro Lime Quinoa and Chocolate Cravings

Everyone who knows me really well knows that I am obsessed with Chipotle (probably because I have an intense passion for anything with cilantro and lime). Chipotle recently added brown rice to their menu, which made me so happy that I could stick to only complex carbs and still enjoy their cilantro lime rice.

So when I was spending a minute (okay maybe more like an hour) on Pinterest, I saw this recipe for Cilantro Lime Quinoa. Genius! I don't know why I didn't think of it!!

The original recipe can be found here. I only slightly modified it.

Ingredients:

1 c. Vegetable Broth
2 c. Water
1 Clove Garlic
2 tbsp. Fresh Lime Juice
1/3 c. Chopped Cilantro
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Bring the water and vegetable broth to a boil, and then add the quinoa. Stir occasionally until all the water is evaporated and the quinoa is the desired softness (took me 18 minutes). Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir!

I served it with organic grilled chicken, topped with homemade guacamole.

On a completely unrelated note:

What do I miss most about New Hampshire? (Besides my cousin Sarah)

THE CHOCOLATE!! Oh man I miss it so much. 

Dark chocolate filled with honey and caramel.

Homemade chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate sauce...

... And of course just eating the plain sauce. :)

Too good!

I ran 7 miles yesterday and it was my first run in a longgggg time. The heat wasn't too bad so I took one of the few opportunities I have during a North Carolina summer to go running outside. I felt good, but I am sore today!

I lifted upper body with my dad this morning:

Pushups 3x15

Lat Pull Down 3x12

Cable Flys 3x10

Reverse Cable Flys 3x12

Chest Press Machine 3x10

Cable Rows 3x12

Tricep Rope Extension 3x10

Dumbbell Bicep Curls 3x10 /arm

Tricep Dips off Bench 1x15

Cable Bicep Burls 1x10 /arm

Crunches on Decline Bench 3x15

Russian Twist on Decline Bench 3x15 /side

And that's all.

Melty, Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies (that are healthy)

I have been eyeballing a recipe that I found on Pinterest for some time now. It is a healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe, similar to my favorite Brownie Batter recipe in that is uses chickpeas, but this one is sweetened with honey instead of dates. Also, it is cooked so they are actually cookies and not just the dough.

When I got to my first period class this morning I couldn't figure out why one other girl and I were the only two people there. We soon realized, thanks to the technology of an iPhone, that class had been cancelled. In celebration I decided to make this cookie recipe!

They were/are AMAZING. They didn't taste like "healthy" chocolate chip cookies at all. I got them from Texanerin Baking from this post here.

MMM... I want to go in the kitchen and grab one more right now :)

The Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 c. Canned, Drained Chickpeas
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 c. and 2 tbsp. Peanut Butter
1/4 c. Honey
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 c. Chocolate Chips (if they are grain-sweetened, then this recipe is "clean")

I put all the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) in my food processor and processed till very smooth. Then I mixed in the chocolate chips and spooned them on to a non-stick baking pan. I cooked them for 10 minutes and then ate one fresh from the oven!

In order for them not to break, you'll need to let them cool before taking them off the tray.

The original creator of this recipe said that she didn't like them cold, but honestly I thought they were just as good cold. Maybe it is because I am used to "healthy" desserts, but my roommates agreed with me as well.

Melty, chocolately, gooey cookies. I think I succeeded in canceling out any cardio that I did this morning...

... But it was so worth it. :)

This morning's workout:

Incline Chest Press x12, 10, 8

Narrow Grip Bench Press 3x8

Barbell Shoulder Split Press 3x12

Dumbbell Row 3x8/arm

Reverse Pushup 3x10

Bicep Curl 3x10

Ab Leg Raises 3x20

2 minute incline walking, 2 minute hard run, 1 minute recovery (repeated 3 times total)

That's all for today. I look forward to going to dinner with my friend Kate :) Have a good Thursday!!

My New Favorite Homemade Energy Bars!!!

I'm back!!

I took a week off from blogging because I was spending so much time on my computer for school work that I didn't want to be on it even more to blog. Also, I had nothing exciting to post about because my week was so boring and filled with a lot of tiresome things that just needed to get done.

But now I have a really great post.

I am super excited about this recipe. I posted it a couple months ago, but I had made a couple changes from the original recipe, that I got from this blog. This time I stayed true to the recipe, but added one magic ingredient :)

Oh goodness, I wish I hadn't given these bars away as a gift because just looking at this picture is making me wish I had one to eat right now!!


Here is the recipe:


2 Cups Pitted Dates
2 Cups Salted Cashew Nuts
½ Cup Almonds (I used slivered almonds without the skins)
¾ Cup Cocoa Powder
½ Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
2.5 Tbsp Espresso!! (Or Coffee)


First I put the dates, cashews, almonds, and cocoa powder in a food processor, then I added the coconut and vanilla extract. Once it reached a coarse consistency, I added the espresso. Make sure to add only a 1/2 tablespoon at a time until it reaches a dough-like consistency. Depending on the moisture of the dates, you will need more or less liquid. Finally, I took the "dough" and pressed it into a pan lined with wax paper.

They can be eaten right away, but I prefer to refrigerate them for about an hour before cutting them into bars. I also like to individually wrap them in plastic wrap and then I just grab one out of the fridge for a quick on-the-go snack.

Okay, I need to go have dinner. I seriously am starving after looking at these pictures. Make these bars. They are delicious!


WOD: Upper Body
Bench Press 4x5
Wide Grip Pullup Machine 3x10
Bicep Hammer Curls 3x8/arm
Arnold Shoulder Press 3x8/arm
Tricep Dips 3x10
Ab Leg Lower Hip Lift 3x10
Decline Russian Twists 3x20/side


2 minute incline walk, 2 minute hard run, 1 minute recovery (x3)


Dinner Time :)

Let's Talk Chocolate

I am so tired right now. I woke up this morning and went to the gym for a great upper body lift and I had every intention of running 5 miles this evening, but I just don't know if it is going to happen. I am exhausted. I think sitting in a class room learning about Medieval feudalism might have caused this...

On a much happier note, I want to talk about chocolate. Dark chocolate is one of the few things that can make me happy after a long day of school. I don't mean chocolate that is like 55% cocoa, I mean chocolate that is at LEAST 72%. My personal favorite is the 88% from Endangered Species. Lindt's 90% Supreme Dark comes in a close second.

A great way to enjoy cocoa is by using baker's chocolate or cocoa powder that has 100% cocoa content, and therefore is the best for you. I was looking on Chocolate Covered Katie again and I found this recipe for her mint chocolate chip milkshake. I made it a little extra chocolately, and it was divine. A new go-to when I'm craving dessert.

(note: I took these pictures at a time when I made it without the cocoa powder, so when following my instructions below the milkshake should appear darker.)

Here's what I put inside mine:

1 Very Ripe, Frozen Banana

1 c. Unsweet Almond Breeze Almond Milk

1 drop of Peppermint Extract

1 tsp. Cocoa Powder

1 tsp. Guar Gum

1/2 Square Grated Baker's Chocolate

Blend all the ingredients except the baker's chocolate. Pour it into a cup and then add grated chocolate and stir until mixed. Enjoy!

Helpful Notes:

I grated my baker's chocolate with just a regular cheese grater.

The peppermint extract is extremely strong, so I always put a drop in a spoon and then drop that in the blender so that I don't pour more than necessary. You may want to taste it and then decide if you need an additional drop, but definitely err on the lesser side.

The Guar Gum is completely optional, but it acts as a thickening agent and makes it seem more like a milkshake. You can buy it at Whole Foods or here. Although I do think it is significantly cheaper at Whole Foods... 

All gone!! That didn't take long... :)

I think I am going to take a nap... but first, here is my workout from this morning.

Upper Body:

Bench Press 4x5

Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly 3x10

Flat Bench Dumbbell Pullover 3x10

Dumbbell Reverse Fly 3x10

Dumbbell Arnold Press 3x8/arm

Crunches on Decline Bench 3x10

Oblique Twists 3x10/side

Pike Pushups 3x10

PB2 Banana Smoothie

I finally made a peanut butter banana smoothie that I thought was worthy of posting. It seems like such a simple combination, but sometimes I just can't get the proportions right!

What's inside?

1 Personal Container of Fage Greek Yogurt 0% Fat

1 Frozen Banana

1/2 C. Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

3 Tbsp. PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

Just blend it all up and enjoy! It's very filling and has a total of 26 grams of protein!! Comes in at around 320 calories and makes a perfect on-the-go meal or post-workout treat.

For breakfast I had a protein pancake, but since I've been adding PB2 in everything I decided to try it in my pancake as well.

What's Inside?

3 Egg Whites

2 Tsp. of Vanilla Extract

1/4 C. Oatmeal

1 Tbsp. Agave (Stevia or Honey works too!)

2 Tbsp. PB2

Dash of Salt

Dash of Cinnamon

My final consensus on this breakfast? Very good, but I actually ended up mixing 2 tablespoons of PB2 with 1 tablespoon of water so I could just spread it on top of the pancake as well. If you're not looking for the added protein, I'd recommend just spreading it on top. OR, it may be better to add a blended banana to this recipe to make it a peanut butter banana protein pancake... I think I'll have to try that very soon.

Aren't these flowers so beautiful?!

Snake Alert!!! I was walking up the steps outside after a short run and this guy was laying on top of the bushes looking me straight in the eye!! It totally freaked me out.

Gross. At least it was a black snake though. I'm weird about snakes; it's like I'm almost intrigued because they gross me out so much.

For today's workout, I got up and ran 2 miles and walked 1. It was just so hot outside that was all I could handle. Plus, I think my body is recovering from the stress of exam week.

I think I'm going to have to start going to spin classes or running on the treadmill because running outside has not been working recently...

Afterwards I did a quick upper body maintenance lift.

Upper Body:

Barbell Bicep Curl 3x10

Dumbbell Row 3x10/arm

Triceps Rope Extension 3x10

Incline Dumbbell Chest Press 3x8

Ab Leg Raises 3x20

That's it for today. My poor body had 2 days off before this workout and I'm STILL exhausted... I feel like I could sleep for 3 days straight. Oh well, at least it is summer :)

A Much Needed Break

Ahh... so good to have Wednesday completed! Now for a nice long Easter weekend :)

This was an exhausting day, and I almost didn't lift weights at all. But then something inside of me realized that sometimes we can put mind over matter and push through. I completed Wednesday's workout and felt completely exhausted, but it was totally worth it.

Upper Body, Hamstrings, and Abs:

Shoulder Split Press 3x10

Reverse Pushup 3x10

Overhead Tricep Extension 3x10

Single Arm Seated Bicep Curls 3x8/side

Hamstring Let-Downs 3x10

V-Sits (inverted crunch) 3x30

Plank with Knee Tucks 3x10/leg

Russian Twists Holding Med Ball 3x20/side

Debating whether I should go to a 9:30am spinning class or go on an hour jog... not sure. I wish someone would just tell me to do one or the other because I can't make up my mind.

As far as healthy eating goes, today was not ideal. I pretty much just munched the whole day on random handfuls of chocolate chips and spoonfuls of peanut butter. Not to mention I had frozen yogurt for dinner. But I think it's okay sometimes to have days where healthy eating goes out the window. It's all about how you feel. 

Tomorrow is a new day :)

Tobacco Road Half Marathon

The official times are in! I ran a 1:55:07, so around a 8:50 mile pace.
I really enjoyed the whole race. It was perfect weather for running: cloudy and no sun. When I crossed the finish line I made a beeline for the Great Harvest Bread Co. booth. I ended up re-feuling with 4 slices of their cinnamon chip bread. I felt like I deserved it.

I know I did so yesterday, but I want to give another congrats to Camille for finishing her first half and it was under 2 hours!! Also, Mrs. Tupper for running a 2:03:07!!! PR I think?? Way to go! I love you both!

After hiding in the back of church in my sweaty race clothes, mom and I enjoyed lunch at Nosh where I had the infamous "In Training." Yes, this is the best peanut butter banana smoothie, and is now making it onto my blog already for the second time... pathetic, I know. I paired that with their cheesy grits and I was one happy camper.

All that to say race day was a success. And I just signed up for the Raleigh Rocks Half on April 1st. Get excited Meagan. I'm heading to your side of town.

Look at the beautiful Porta Potties in the background. I make fun of them, but every runner knows how essential they are for peak performance... :)

Cute race photos courtesy Sconya Hove :)

Todays workout was very energizing. I have missed lifting this past week, and it was nice to have it back. Very minimal legs today, as can be imagined.

Upper Body Focused
Squats on Smith Machine 3x8
Overhead DB Triceps Press 3x10
Single Arm Chest Press on Stability Ball 3x8/side
Alternating DB Bicep Curl with Shoulder Press 3x8/side
Lat Pull Down 3x8
DB Raises 7,7,7 x3
Seated Row 3x9
Hanging Leg Lifts 3x20
Oblique Crunch on BOSU 3x10/side