Strawberry Picking!

I woke up bright and early this morning to go on a 4 mile run before it got too hot. I felt extremely tired... I think the heat and the stress of exams have really been affecting my exercise.

After my run I went strawberry picking with one of my all-time best friends. It was so fun to hang out with her and gorge ourselves on strawberries :)

I have quite a few pictures, but make sure you make it to the end because I have a delicious little "recipe" you won't want to miss!!

This is me saying, "Wow Meagan! I have like 3x more strawberries than you!"

It obviously made me feel good about myself... hence my proud stance

Me slaving in the hot sun so that I can enjoy some fresh strawberries this week.

Yup, those are all mine. I would include a picture of Meagan's tray, but there was like 3 berries, so it wasn't even worth photographing. Meagan's gift is clearly not strawberry picking (but corn hole on the other hand...)

I look like I'm posing for a strawberry advertisement.

Best Friends :) How cute.

And now for a delicious little treat!!

I got this recipe from Power Cakes, a clean-eating blog. She was featured on Tosca Reno's blog, who is basically the Queen of Clean Eating. Anyways, Kasey calls it her "Strawberry Chia Jam."

I scooped this jam on top of frozen plain yogurt from Local Yogurt. Meagan and I both agreed that it was 1 of the top 3 best desserts we have ever had... now THAT is saying something.

Besides froyo, this jam can be used for tons of things! Try spreading it on toast, or putting it in oatmeal, or topping it on a protein pancake, or mixing it with plain greek yogurt, or just eating it by the spoonful!!

Strawberry Chia Jam

2 C. Fresh Very Ripe Berries

1/4 C. Water

2 Tbsp. Stevia in the Raw (or other sweetener)

3 Tbsp. Chia Seeds

All you do is mash the strawberries with a fork until there are still clumps, but the majority is fluid. Add the water and put the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then add the stevia and chia seeds. Stir this all together and place in the fridge for at least an hour. It's even better overnight. Then use it as a topping on everything!!!

So simple, right?!?

Not to mention if you use a 0 calorie natural sweetener its only about 250 calories for the entire recipe! That's like 25 calories per serving!

Here is a picture of the mixture before it was put in the fridge, so it hasn't congealed yet.

And after, when it is topped on my froyo!!

I did a wonderful HIIT workout today, tabata style. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, it means you do an exercise for 20 seconds, then break for 10 seconds. You continue this until you have completed multiple circuits of about 10 exercises.

Todays Circuit:

1. Reverse Pushup

2. Bench Jumps Left

3. Bench Jumps Right

4. Plank with Alternating Toe Touches

5. Pushup

6. Dumbbell Bicep Curl to Shoulder Press

7. Shuffle Jumps

8. Ab Leg Let Downs

9. Dumbbell Hamstring Deadlift

10. Tricep Press off of Bench

We went through this 3 times, then took a small break, and completed it 3 more times. I was completely exhausted afterwards!!

Have a good day and enjoy your Strawberry Chia Jam!!!