Friday Fun & Shopping Shenanigans

Posted on July 2, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Thank you guys SO much for all the congratulations on my run yesterday! I’m actually planning to meet up with my friend again tomorrow morning for another one. Cross your fingers that I don’t choke and end up losing all my ego boost! 😉

I had the day off today since I worked my late shift this week…and then I realized that with the holiday coming up, I’ll actually get a FOUR day weekend out of this! Sweet!

My plan for the day was pretty simple…chiropractor, gym, work party at 7pm. Well, after my appointment, I just happened to find myself loitering around TJ Maxx…for over TWO HOURS! I seriously lose myself (and all of my money) in that store!

Wanna see my loot?

Of course you do!

I honestly cannot go in there without heading straight to the home-goods section!

And the blog was very well represented in today’s shopping adventure!

Aren’t these bowls the cutest?!

Hello barginista!

Jessica Simpson flats for…are you ready for this?

$15.00!!!

Unfortunately none of the above items were on clearance, but at least you know you’re getting a good deal on name brands at TJ Maxx. Plus, I’ve been in serious need of workout clothes lately! I guess I COULD just do laundry more often…

Nahhhh!

Shopping for new workout clothes is much more fun!

Favorite item:

My first running skirt!

Check out the back!

Isn’t it cute? And it makes my tush look pretty good if I do say so myself! 😉

Speaking of looking good…I noticed something today while getting ready for my work party:

Yes! Finally seeing the effects of my more active lifestyle! Now to work on my calves before fall boot season!

After my shopping shenanigans, I headed to the gym to crack walnuts between my thighs for a 45 minute full body circuit training workout that I threw together in a couple of minutes and finished up with 15 minutes on the arc trainer.

[source]

My new favorite piece of cardio equipment!

Party attire

Foodie accessories! 😉

I’ve been wanting to remake Christin’s Cookie Dough Bean Balls for a while now. I’ve been wanting to try them out on my co-workers, but kept chickening out. C’mon, not everybody has the same appreciation that we foodies have for beans in our baked goods! 😉

Well, tonight was definitely the night to make these! I almost forgot I had to bring something along and literally whipped up the entire batch 30 minutes before walking out the door! And guess what…they were a hit! I was surprised by how many compliments I got and loved seeing everybody’s faces when I told them the ingredients!

Well, off to catch some z’s before my run tomorrow! Have a great night!

What’s the best bargain you’ve scored lately?

Any big plans for the holiday weekend?

 

Posted in Desserts, Shopping, Workouts | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

My First 7 Miler & A Recipe

Posted on July 1, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hello lovelies! I hope you all had a great day today…because really, I’d feel a little bad if I were all alone. 😉

Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!

So you guys know how nervous I was about meeting my friend this morning for my first 7 mile run…

Ahhhhhhh!

Btw, do you follow me on Daily Mile? You really should!

I never knew how much of a difference it made to run with other people! I couldn’t even believe my pace…I must’ve checked my watch a half dozen times! Just Tuesday I ran by myself at a 9:35 pace for 5 miles and that was PUSHING it!

All the factors were definitely in my favor…great weather (65 degrees), a beautiful route, and engaging conversation…the perfect way to start a Thursday if you ask me!

And you know what’s the perfect way to END a Thursday? With a delicious recipe of course! And with perfect timing for the holiday weekend!

Sweet Yogurt Broccoli Salad: (makes 8-10 servings)*

1. Wash and dry broccoli florets and place in a large bowl
2. Combine yogurt and honey in a small bowl, pour over broccoli and stir to mix.
3. Add dried cranberries and granola and stir to combine.

*Measurements are approximate due to my habit of grabbing a “handful of this” and a “handful of that.” Feel free to add more or less to suit your tastes.

You can really do many different variations with this recipe. Don’t have dried cranberries? How about raisins? I liked the addition of the granola which was mostly almonds, but I think pecans would also be a great choice!

I made this dish to take over to my parent’s house last weekend when we had our belated Father’s Day celebration for my dad and it got RAVE reviews!

And it’s even better the next day!

All my runners out there: do you prefer running solo or with a buddy?

What’s your favorite (store-bought or homemade) granola?

 

Posted in Entree, Holiday | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

What I Ate Wednesday: The Early Edition

Posted on June 29, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

 

What’s up everybody? I hope you are all having a great week! I decided instead of doing a regular Tuesday post, I would jump into the WIAW link up party a few hours early! Plus, I just finished dinner and it was so good, I couldn’t wait to share!

Thanks Jenn for putting together one hell of a party each week!
Be sure to get your drool on and check out all of this week’s fabulous link ups!

Pre-Run Snack (5:00am)
Date on the go-go!

Oh yeah, you read that right! 5 A to the M baby!

And I had one of the nicest runs in a while! Who knew the secret to dodging Tennessee humidity was getting up before the sun??

Post Run Chow Time aka Breakfast (7:45am)
Peanut Butter Carob Chip Pancakes

Suuuuuuper simple “recipe”: 2 tablespoons peanut flour, 1 tablespoon wheat germ,
and a teaspoon of vanilla added to a just-add-water pancake mix.

Topped with powdered sugar and carob chips

And, to balance out my kiddie breakfast (’cause you KNOW I also had my gummis)…

Some grown up style crack “juice” in a mug that I pilfered from my parent’s house last weekend!

Lunch (12:45pm)
2 slices whole wheat bread, hummus, spinach, baby heirloom tomatoes, and cucs

and a big JUICY peach!

We were CrAzY busy at the hospital again today…there must be something in the air…quick! Everyone quit breathing!

My breakfast was good, and it held me over until just before noon, but by the time I actually got lunch, I was about to gnaw my own arm off! That sandwich lasted all of about 5 minutes!

Snack (5:00)
Oh Cashew Cookie bar, it has been too long!

And for dinner?

Gi-freakin-normous potato from the farmer’s market

+

My VERY FIRST homegrown potato!
(don’t hate on his size folks…he’s a big dreamer!)

+

a few other things

=

Dinner (8:00)
Broiled portabello topped with sauteed onions and yellow squash (in olive oil/balsamic vinegar) and topped with fresh tomato,

1/2 mutant potato with nooch and ketchup,

and

Sweet Yogurt Broccoli Slaw
(recipe coming soon)

Camelbak Liter x 3!

So there really should be some sort of celebration…this was my first non-breakfasty (that’s totally a word by the way) dinner in over two weeks! Luckily it was delicious enough that I didn’t even miss my cereal, oats, or French toast!

What’s the best thing you ate today?

What are your summer fruits?
Strawberries, watermelon, and big fat juicy peaches!

Posted in Breakfast, Entree, Snacks, Vegetarian, What I Ate Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments