Coconutty ‘Roons

Call me lame but my relaxing Sunday has included: blogging, baking, and watching Andy’s finals match while working out. Minus the fact that Andy lost. It was a painfully close match. Bah! Better luck this week in Montreal!

This morning I had a Peachy Green Monster. We are out of bananas so I put a white peach in there instead. I steamed the spinach to better maximize nutrient absorption and it made the spinach taste stand out quite a bit. Or perhaps it stood out because the strong banana flavor was absent. Although spinach flavor is not a bad thing in my book! My mom, dad and aunt had some too!

I’m trying out a different glass each day to spice things up

I had the rest of my TJs 0% Plain Greek-Style Yogurt w/ flaxseed and a crumbled Kashi Honey Almond Flax bar:

All together now:

And 3 FROZEN Fig Newmans (see yesterday for pic!).

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Baking:

I was browsing through Elanas Pantry for some recipes to try and I stumbled across a Gluten Free Coconut Macaroon recipe. If I’m just baking for kicks I look for fewer number of ingredients (less work/clean up=more motivation) and also ingredients that I already have on hand. I had shredded coconut that was begging for some attention

Coconut Macaroons (recipe from Elanas Pantry):

Ingredients (halved from original+some changes in amounts):

-3 extra large egg whites

-sprinkle of sea salt

-1/4 cup of TJs agave nectar

-1/2 TBSP of pure vanilla extract

-2 cups of reduced fat shredded coconut

Directions (directly from original):

1. In a mixing bowl whisk egg whites and salt until stiff

2. Fold in agave, vanilla and coconut

I wasn’t sure if I mixed the batter too much but they held together perfectly.

3. Drop batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet, one rounded tablespoonful at a time

I used an ice cream scoop to form the macaroons.

4. Pinch each macaroon at the top (like a kiss).

I guess I skipped this step

I dusted them with some extra shredded coconut to make them look prettier

5. Bake at 350° F for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned

Warm and toasty!

The batter made exactly 15 macaroons. It worked out perfectly, I didn’t have any leftover to nibble.

These macaroons were just mildly sweet due to the agave nectar. I liked that it satisfied my taste buds but wasn’t overkill.  The burst of coconut flavor would be perfect with a cup o’ tea!

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Workout:

I did not fuel enough for my workout (i.e. 2 scrumptious macaroons+ Ezekiel toast w/ab) so it was a bit low energy. I did 30 min. on the elliptical + 30 min hill climb on the treadmill + 8 1/2 minutes on the bike. I can never stay on a stationary bike for long. I always find my legs slowing down and I have to consciously pump harder. I finished with a stairclimb to the 9th floor instead of using the elevator. Stairs never fail to get my heart rate and leg pain up! I once sprinted up all 22 floors of our building…TWICE!

I came home famished and parched. I had some leftovers from last night on a bed of spinach. Avocado, salmon, and asparagus. I added a spoonful of hummus and a sprinkle of TJs feta cheese.

I stuffed some in a wrap for some carb replenishment.

I also had 2 more frozen Fig Newmans (I’m officially addicted to these) and 2 more macaroons.

My aunt has been begging to make some granola so I think some more baking will be on the agenda tonight as well as a movie exchange with the Red Box. Not sure what we’ll rent. Any ideas? Any strong opinions for or against Confessions of a Shopoholic? I love Amy Adams!

Tagged as: Agave Nectar, Asparagus, Bar, Egg, Fig, Macaroons, Peach, Salmon, Smoothies, Spinach, Wrap, Yogurt