Lunch At Seasons 52

Wow! It's like I have totally forgotten about my blog. I finished summer school! Thank goodness!! Now I am in Tampa visiting my brother and his girlfriend.

My brother passed the test to receive his pilot's license so in order to celebrate we went to a Tampa restaurant called Seasons 52. The idea is that the chef changes the specials every week (52 times per year) in order to match what is currently in season. All the items on the menu are organic, healthy, and a maximum of 475 calories. Cool huh?

Aww Robert and Maggie are precious.

 Wow, Robert and I look so weird. I think it's the sun making our eyes squinty. Oh, and Robert's stupid facial expression.

Maggie got the vegetarian sampler. Starting at the sautéed tofu and then going clockwise: stuffed pepper, stuffed tomato, grilled broccoli with homemade caesar, quinoa and bean mixture, crispy taco, and tomatillo salsa.

Our waiter explained to us how the quinoa, brown rice, and bean mixture was apparently what provided the Incas with enough sustenance to survive. He was saying how you could eat this for every meal and your body would be in peak health... I am not sure how much I believe him. What about moderation? and some veggies? Not to mention the fact that I would be bored out of my mind just eating that for the rest of my life. 

Here is my ahi tuna salad. So good.

And Robert being weird again. He got ahi tuna and avocado sushi rolls. I had one and they were pretty delicious.


Alright that's it.

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!!

Some Weird Cravings

Yesterday when I got home from class I was having a really weird craving... for pancakes. It wouldn't go away. So instead of fighting it, I made some homemade whole wheat vegan blueberry pancakes!! Yummy :)

They were so fluffy and delicious! I got the recipe here from Chocolate Covered Katie. Although my quick snap shots aren't near as pretty as hers, I'll show a couple pictures just so you know how they turned out.

They tasted so delicious!! The only tip I have is to make sure you are cooking them on a low enough heat so they cook all the way through and don't just burn on the outside. These pancakes are much thicker than usual so it makes it just a bit trickier.

Today after I came home from school I had another weird craving. A much healthier one. I honestly can say this is the first time I have craved quinoa and spinach! haha

I was hurrying to make lunch before I went to get a pedicure with Stephanie (some much deserved pampering!), so I used this quinoa and brown rice mixture that cooks in the microwave in 90 seconds. It is surprisingly good and I love the seasoning on it.

I got this from Whole Foods, but I actually saw it the other day when I was in Harris Teeter, so I guess it doesn't have to be purchased at a specialty grocery store.

And then I cooked some frozen spinach on the stove and viola! Craving satisfied.

A visual in case you don't know what frozen, chopped spinach looks like after it has been cooked (sarcastic tone):

I was able to get to the gym this morning for a little cardio:

2 minute walk on incline 12 at 3.5 mph

2 minute run on incline 1 at 8 mph

1 minute recovery walk on incline 1 at 3 mph

I repeated this series 5 more times, for a total of 6 times in 30 minutes.

I was unrecognizably sweaty. Although it felt really good :)

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

My Weekend and Brownie Batter!!

I had such a wonderful weekend at home! I had so much fun with my cousin Jenni and my precious mother. Although they spent most of the time talking about sconces, tile, and sinks for our new home... I still managed to have a good time :) And of course make some yummy desserts.

On Friday I went with Meagan to our high school where we celebrated the third graduating class. I tried to get a picture of them throwing their caps, but this was all I managed to get. You can see the caps, but not the graduates. Oh well...

The reception was nice, but the cake wasn't nearly as good as the cake from our high school graduation. Not even close. 

Being so busy this weekend prevented me from blogging, but I have been meaning to post pictures of this amazing, healthy dessert. It is DEFINITELY worth trying. Probably my favorite healthy dessert recipe I have ever made.

The recipe comes from Chocolate Covered Katie and it is her Cookie Dough Dip. Instead of chocolate chips I added 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to make it completely sugar free and so that's why I am calling it brownie batter. It's divine. 

My roommate made the Cookie Dough Dip from CCK that has sugar, and we both decided that the sugar free one was better. Now that is phenomenal. Dates beating brown sugar...

It is hard to believe that a chichpea-based dessert sweetened by dates could possibly taste good, much less amazing, but please trust me. It will take your taste buds to chocolate heaven. 

Happy Memorial Day!! And I hope all of you immediately start soaking your dates to make this dessert!

Whole Foods Has Arrived

Wilmington has been waiting for this day for quite sometime. The arrival of their very first Whole Foods Market. Although I have only lived here for about 10 days, I was already beginning to miss the deliciousness that Whole Foods has to offer.

They even had policemen stationed outside... I am not sure if this was entirely necessary. Are people going to be stealing handfuls of kale because they are so happy about the grand opening? Doubt it.

When I was checking out they asked if I wanted to pay a few cents to get a reusable bag. I don't usually do stuff like this, but after they told me I will save 10 cents every time I use it and I saw how cute the bag was I decided it was worth my money.

I bought several things such as kale, spinach, honey, yogurt, but I bought three things that were particularly notable. 

First up, is this new chocolate spin on the original Lara Bar. I am a fan of these bars because they are completely clean, sweetened only by dates and not by refined sugar. I think I am going to have to try to make my own homemade version of these soon.

It came in four flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Coffee. My bet is that I will like the Chocolate Coffee the best. I have had the Chocolate Mint before and it was very good, and today I bought the Hazelnut and Coffee one.

Next up is this hotdog looking product. Its greatest feature is the short ingredients list. It consists solely of these natural ingredients: skinless chicken, spinach, water, garlic, sea salt, fennel seed, and black pepper. Not to mention it is only 80 calories per link and only 0.5 grams of saturated fat.

They would probably be best chopped up and put in a bowl of cooked or raw greens, such as spinach or kale, with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice on top. I think I'll have that for dinner...

Last, but certainly not least, a soup that I love very much: Amy's Organic Split Pea Soup. It is so yummy and makes an easy quick meal that contains 0 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein. I challenge you to find another soup that can beat that! ;)

Alright, now that my fun trip to Whole Foods is over it looks like I am going to actually have to do homework. I am also going to attempt to go on a 5 mile run this evening. We'll see how that pans out.

Good Food Can Be Ugly

With Sunday's post on Kale Chips and today's post on oatmeal, I think I have proved that sometimes delicious food doesn't look appealing. Despite pictures that say otherwise, both the Kale Chips and my oatmeal are amazing. This oatmeal recipe, actually it's far from a recipe and more like a concoction, is what got me through long school days this past semester. Days where I would have to go 5 hours without eating, and for me that is a very long time.

I call it Banana Creme Oatmeal. And believe me, oatmeal never tasted so good.

I know there is about a billion variations of oatmeal circulating in the blog world, and so maybe someone else thought of this exact thing before me, but from my knowledge this is my own little breakfast invention.

What's inside?
-1 C. Plain, Unsweet Almond Milk
-1 Very Ripe Banana
-1/2 C. Oats
-Cinnamon
-Coconut Flakes

Step 1: Boil 1 cup of almond milk with the lid off. It boils pretty quickly, and when I had the lid on it kind of exploded...

Step 2: Pour in the oats.

Step 3: Slice the banana into pieces and put into the pot.

Step 4: Cook it until the oatmeal reaches your preferred thickness. The longer you cook, the more almond milk it'll absorb, and the thicker it'll be. (I guess I am kind of stating the obvious...)

Step 5: Put it into a bowl and mix in desired amount of cinnamon and coconut flakes.

Step 6: Stuff your face and pretend you're eating banana creme pie.

I really do love oatmeal. I think it is the best breakfast because it holds me for so long. 

Today's lift was pretty boring because Rachael was sick and so I was alone...

Biceps, Triceps, and Legs:

Squat 3x8
Lunges 3x10/side
Dumbbell Bicep Curl 3x8/side
Leg Press 3x10
Dumbbell Deadlift 3x10
Tricep Rope Extension 3x10
Hammer Curls 3x8/side
Dips off Bench 3x10

Quick Rant: Summer classes are boring and are sucking the life out of me. I don't think I can continue sitting in class for 4 hours and 10 minutes straight everyday for the next 4 weeks...