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Mushy For Mizuno!

Posted on January 7, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

As a Fitfluential Ambassador, I get to work with some amazing companies.

A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to participate in Mizuno’s Mezamashii Project. I applied for the chance to be selected from hundreds of other bloggers. When I got the email saying I had been chosen, I may or may not have forgotten to breath for a few seconds.

So why the sudden onset of hypoxia?

Well, maybe it’s because as part of the Mezamashii Project, I was able to pick out these babies…

Mizuno Wave Creation 13

FOR FREE!!

That’s right! Mizuno has confidence in their line of running shoes, but they also know that a lot of people have their brand loyalties…and THAT is where the Mezamashii Project comes in!

Mezamashii is the Japanese word for eye-opening, or brilliant.

The goal of the project is to provide an “eye-opening”, or “brilliant” running experience for runners everywhere!

Having never owned a pair of Mizuno running shoes before and really always considering myself an “Asics girl”, I figured I was a perfect candidate for this project.

Mizuno Wave Creation 13

I’ll be honest, once I started perusing their website, I was a little overwhelmed by all varieties, but in the end I chose the Wave Creation 13 because well, it was the only “normal” colored one they offered! 😉

Mizuno Wave Creation 13

I was super nervous about the size/fit since I’ve never had luck in the past with ordering shoes online, but as soon as I laced them up, I knew they were perfect!

Mizuno Test Run

The next week, I took them out for my first run*

*Their first run ever…my first run in FORever! 😉

And?

Mizuno Test Run Done

BAM!

I don’t know what it was…the fact that I was rocking some snazzy new sneaks or it being 60 degrees and sunny in the middle of November, but the 5K I had intended to run turned out to be one of the greatest FIVE-MILERS I’ve ever had…and I swear I’m not just saying that!

The shoes were perfect. Cushy. Supportive. Light.

I kinda felt like Forrest Gump…until the next day when I realized that stretching after an impromptu five-miler is not only a good idea, but completely and totally NECESSARY!

Since then, I’ve basically been wearing them non-stop…

Mizunos

And I have to say a BIG thank you Mizuno and FitFluential for the opportunity to participate in this “eye-opening” experience because these
are SERIOUSLY my new FAVORITE sneaker!

I was provided with a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 13 shoes for free for review purposes but ALL of the above opinions are my own.

What is your favorite sneaker?

Have you ever tried Mizunos?

Posted in Product Review, Workouts | Tagged FitFluential, Mizuno, running, workouts | 33 Comments

Oh Ma’ Darlin…

Posted on January 6, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

Oh ma’ darlin…

Oh ma’ darrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlin Clementine!

You were lost all over summer…

Now it’s winter…

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - Label

And your MINE! 😉

I don’t know about you guys, but once I spotted those little “cuties” in the produce section at the grocery store a few weeks ago, I haven’t been able to get enough!

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - 3

It only makes since that I found a way to pop them into some pancakes, right?

So what goes well with citrus?

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - 4

~~Chocolate~~ CARROTS of course!

Hmm, straight from pan-COOKIES to veggie-CAKES?…I guess I HAVE always been to one extreme or the other! 😉

And you know what else goes well with citrus?

Clementine Carrot Pancakes

Almonds!

Extract, butter, slivered nuts…it’s ALL good!

But you wanna know the best part about these ‘cakes?

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - 5

I made them gluten-free! 😀

Gluten-Free Clementine Carrot Pancakes

by Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast gluten-free grain-free buckwheat flour carrots clementines egg whites Pancake Sunday winter

Ingredients (Serves 1)

1/3 cup buckwheat flour, ground from groats
1 tablespoon ground flax
1/2 teaspoon sodium-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup finely grated carrot
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Juice and zest from 2 large clementines (yields approx. 1/3 cup juice)

Instructions

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, flax, baking powder and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white until frothy.
4. To the egg, add grated carrot, juice and zest from clementines, extract(s) and sweetener, stir well.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until flour is incorporated.
6. Spoon batter onto skillet forming 3 small-medium pancakes and cook 4-5 minutes per side or until edges turn crisp and brown (batter will not bubble).
7. Plate and top with thinned yogurt, creamy almond butter, sliced almonds, and more zest.

Nutrition facts for pancakes without toppings:

Clementine Carrot Pancakes Nutrition

Hello Mr. Beta Carotene!

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - 7

These were by far the BEST carrot pancakes I’ve ever made!

Perfectly ~~moi-~~…NOT DRY in the least!

FULL of zingy citrus flavor!

Clementine Carrot Pancakes - 8

And would you just look at how THICK they are?!

I’ve made them twice in TWO days and still can’t get enough!

Seriously, you need these in your life!

What’s your favorite winter fruit?
I love pomegranates but persimmons are my FAVORITE!

Posted in Breakfast, Gluten-free, Pancake Sunday | Tagged almond butter, almonds, carrots, Greek yogurt, juice, pancakes, recipe, veggies | 28 Comments

Lip Smackin’ Vegan Mac

Posted on January 4, 2013 by kissmybroccoli

The other day, I had a craving for cheese.

But not just any cheese.

I wanted warm…creamy…cuddle-up-with-my-blankie-and-take-a-nap-after-dinner, the one TRUE comfort food…

MAC ‘N CHEESE!

I blame THIS girl.

So I opened the fridge, peered in the designated cheese drawer and discovered to my horror…

NO CHEESE!?!

Ok, ok…so there WAS cheese…I’m never a girl to be without, BUT I wasn’t really feeling macaroni mixed with cranberry goat cheese…

Lip Smackin' Vegan Mac - 1

But I didn’t let that stop me! 😉

Because you wanna know what also takes up residence in the “cheese drawer”?

TOFU!

Which I’m sure is against some sort of vegan code of refrigerator ethics, but I digress…

Lip Smackin' Vegan Mac - 2

Instantly, I started singing…*

“Heather’s gonna GET some vegan mac”

“Heather’s gonna GET some vegan mac!”

*Complete with a Carlton-esque dance WITH the package of tofu IN the middle of the kitchen.

Lip Smackin' Vegan Mac - 4

But as I sashayed around the kitchen door, I just happened to spy some leftover pumpkin puree…and that just happened to be sitting next to my jar of sunflower seed butter.

Hmm…

Best.decision.ever!

Strange But Good S2TT

Come to the ~~dark~~ strange side…we eat GOOD! 😉

Lip Smackin’ Vegan Mac

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Keywords: boil steam entrée side high protein vegan vegetarian high fiber pumpkin puree nutritional yeast tofu

Ingredients (Serves 2/4 as a side)

4 oz. uncooked whole wheat or multi-grain pasta
3/4 cup silken tofu
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup water
3 heaping tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons sunflower seed butter (almond or cashew would work well too)
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup mixed veggies (I used peas & carrots)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. While pasta is cooking, combine all ingredients (except for vegetables) in a blender and process until smooth.
3. Steam vegetables in 1 inch of water in a covered pot over medium-high heat until tender.
4. Once pasta is finished cooking, drain water and immediately stir in sauce and add vegetables.
5. Adjust seasoning if needed, garnish with dried parsley.

Nutritional facts for one serving WITH 1/2 cup each peas and carrots:

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