I have a terrible habit of putting off my work in favor of baking. I tend to gravitate towards the kitchen especially when I have deadlines looming over my head. Usually I rationalize that if I just let myself bake, I’ll get right back to work and be more productive. Well, that hardly ever happens so tonight I’m going to sit down and finish my work before firing up the oven. Until I pass my classes and walk across that graduation stage, my oven mitts need to come second.
But who says blogging can’t come before work? 
***
I woke up relatively early this morning (really!?) so I got some work done before heading to the gym. I made a Green Tea Latte to go with my AllieBar as a pre-workout snack.
Check out these beefy sunflowers!
I haven’t had one of these ‘lattes’ in ages!
When I got to the mini gym, my motivation was nowhere to be found. I just couldn’t envision myself pedaling on the Octane machine. However, the thought of going to the main gym with other machines and other people sure got me excited. So I headed to the main gym instead.
- 50 min. Elliptical
- 10 min. StairMill
- 20 min. arms/abs/stretch
It’s amazing how the environment of my workout can change my attitude completely. It sure felt good to pump some iron too!
***
Due to my change in plans, I had a 2nd AllieBar and a forkful of Sunflower Seed Butter before leaving the apartment. 2 AllieBars=1 huge bowl of oatmeal…ish.
***
Post workout:
I knew I would be going straight to class after my workout (ew, I know) so I made a green smoothie to go with some granola.
I put the smoothie in an old almond butter jar with a handful of ice cubes and then wrapped the jar in a hand towel for insulation. By the time I drank it, the ice had melted but the shake was still COLD! It worked like a charm.
- 1/2 banana
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 scoop Green Superfood
I also packed a serving of Galaxy Granola, which I spiked with some Marcona Almonds.
Some juicy strawberries to beef up the volume…and they were too pretty to pass up!
***
Dinner:
I made an Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink-Salad. I have to do some fridge cleaning so nothing goes to waste!
I haven’t had a spring mix-based salad since dinner on Saturday so I was going through major withdrawal today. My veggie consumption has mostly been in the form of green smoothies and mini peppers this week.
- Spring Mix
- Cucumbers
- Mini Peppers
- Baby carrots
- 1/2 veggie burger
Topped with cottage cheese (the best salad dressing!).
For the record, I’m totally digging these Amy’s Veggie Burgers.
Side of Millet Bread with microwaved bananas and cinnamon on top. I later mixed in some Sunflower Seed Butter.
I hereby declare microwaved ‘n’ mashed bananas as the BEST millet bread topping in the history of the land.
Okay, it ties with Greek yogurt.
A Dessert Plate: Chocolate covered hazelnuts, dried apricots, Marcona almonds, and a digestive cookie.
**Oh and I just had a couple handfuls of granola while typing up this post.
I’m off to bake some Avocado Banana Bread for my dietician and a couple batches of AllieBars. I’m going to one-and-a-half the batch so I can make some muffins for myself using the extra batter.
All of this will come after I complete my work, right? RIGHT!
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
YUMMM allie…everything looks so good! where do you buy millet bread? are there more health benefits in it than normal whole wheat bread? it looks so good with the mashed banana on top!
I love cottage cheese on salads too yum. The combo is making me craveee it
I acutally am one of those people who cant stand working out in a quiet gym! I love whenits packed full of people sweating, working hard, it always motivates me more!!
I must agree with you–it’s so much easier to motivate myself to exercise when I’m surrounded by others doing the same. Being lonely in the mini gym makes it much more difficult.
Hope our favorite RD likes the bread;)
OMG Amy’s burgers are the shizzznit! Love love love the California style ones!
You are almost making me want to go and bake….almost!! I am exhausted today so I don’t think the stars are aligned right for me to get back in the kitchen
.
Did you get any funny looks for drinking a green liquid out of an old jar during class? Haha. I can see other people thinking that is funny!
Anytime I make a garden salad I put cottage cheese on the bottom! It’s soooo delicious and makes for a nice surprise when you get to the end! Plus adds protein!
i forgot to tell you! i tried marcona almonds for the first time at guglhupf (they were incorporated into the cheese plate) last weekend and thought of you . . . and i realized why you love them so much. soft, sweet, almondy goodness!
and, obvs BHut and LLE need to make gym dates @ the minigym.
oh, and i love it when the gym is empty! okay, i’m done commenting now. sorry!
Gah, I hate exams and uni- my baking has had to take a back seat too, it sucks!! Alas, summer soon…
I agree – hot mashed banana (espec when mixed with PB!) is the ULTIMATE in toppings
The atmosphere definitely effects my workout moods. And the time of day. I always seem to run better in the morning but do strength better in the evening.
YES!!! Mashed warm bananas are the BEST bread topping and I am glad to see that you added the AB because that is just the icing on the bread!
Girl, you are a baking machine!!! Can I come and stay with you please? I promise I’m the best batter licker and taste tester!
Love the dessert plate! Yum
I love the cottage cheese idea. I just bought some and I am going to add it to my salad tonight.
Love your kitchen sink salad…looks delish! I actually prefer baking late at night when my work is done as a bit of a treat!
I love that you kept the name Alliebars. I feel like anything else should have been something that felt right for you and would have been too artificial had anyone else christianed them. Good luck with your work!
I wonder if your alliebars taste like the ota.bars I used to make! They look pretty similar…speakign of, I need to make some of those! Your eats look lovely as usual
Girl, your food always looks so good. I totally put off chores for baking, cooking too. Heck, I’d put off work if I could!!
If you microwave a banana and mash it up with some nut butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup… you will think you have died and gone to heaven. Especially when you put it on Ezekial cinnamon raisin english muffins. SO GOOD.
Have you had Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Burgers – they’re my favorite. Oh, I totally forgot…I want to make that banana avo bread. Thanks for the reminder!
So, you must like the sunflower seed butter, right? I’ve seen it at TJ’s and have been curious but haven’t tried it. How different is it from peanut or almond butter?
I was having dreams about banana bread with chocolate chips today….but, I had to snap out of it when I realized that I have neither the time nor the need to bake it. I have so many other sweets that I need to devour first!
hi allie! ive been reading/stalking your blog for a while haha ;P
ive been seeing your alliebars EVERYWHERE and they look ahhhhmaze.
i know youre not giving out the recipe, so WHERE can i buy them?????
izzyy
xoxx
Love your tricks with the green monster. Maybe even try putting in a coffee tumbler? I bet that could insulate it too. I did some baking today! I made a yellow chocolate chip bundt cake with a chocolate glaze for my mother-in-law’s birthday. Just ate seconds and ugh feel kinda sick. I’m not really a big cake fan, but I liked this and the recipe was super simple but still all from scratch.
I’m sure it will be up on the blog in like, oh 2 weeks based on how I blog. 
Baking always seems to come before work, even when you know it’s a bad choice
Your AllieBars look DELICIOUS though!
Your food always looks so good! Much different than what I eat on a daily basis, but in a really good way! I need to try millet bread and sunflower seed butter and alliebars and avocado banana bread, and and and… the list just goes on!!!
You always inspire me girl!
Love every one of your posts- you have such great ideas and such a positive spirit!! Enjoy the end of your school year, Allie!
Do you have a good recipe to share for millet bread? You mention it a lot…I’d like to make my own.
Baking >blogging>homework. It’s probably a good thing my oven is whack, because otherwise I’d be in there every time I had a big project, too!!
I’m absolutely guilty of going to class right from the gym. I figure, I’m not trying to impress anyone, and at least I actually got my butt moving instead of sleeping until noon!! The smoothie in a jar idea is great, too!
Hope you have a great Friday love!! Keep on trucking…just a few weeks left!
Sunflowers make me smile. So do your strawberries!
Salad looks delish! I’ve been eating a lot of spring greens lately, must be something in the air making us crave them!
Mmm, still drooling over your Alliebars!
I bought mini peppers the other day & thought of you
I agree, I love the gym atmosphere! It would be so convenient just to buy my own treadmill to have at home, but I probably wouldn’t be as motivated to use it.
Yup, Amy’s veggie bugers rock. I hear your AllieBars rock too. Perhaps I get to sample one next week?
:):)
Good idea! Graduate and then bake!
But I knwo what you mean…I do the same thing!
Mmmm Avocado Banana Bread? YUM!
I LOVE smashed bananas as a spread. Even better when mixed with grainy almond butter
Good luck with all your work, Allie! And then baking of course
Hey Allie, just wanted to let you know that I love your blog. I have been following blogs for about a year now and decided to create my own. I am on the same mission as you are to find a happy and healthy balance. I have been through many lows throughout the past 5 years and dramatically dropped a lot of weight and was just really not happy, but I have found a love for food and running and am excepting myself for who I am. I am at a very happy place right now and I have a passion for shopping for wholesome food, cooking wholesome food and photography food. I actually just came across your blog last night and love it! Keep up the great work!
Lovely sunflowers! feels like summer in your posts
Look at those gorgeous flowers! I love spring time and flowers–always brighten up my day : )
Microwaved bananas = another great idea!!
What’s an AllieBar btw?
Hi! I just found your blog courtesy of Kath!
What is an Allie Bar and do you share the recipe? They look fantastic!
Hehehe I recognize those sunflowers from the senior bbq! Were you there? Or was your roommate able to snatch some?
I make super thick oatmeal in a big bowl sometimes and then plop in a big handful of ice cubes, so that by the time all the ice melts, I have thinner iced oatmeal. It’s yummy after a workout.
Hoep you’re having a great weekend!
Why are digestive cookies so good??!! lol. Great pics and congrats on the prioritized mind set (blog, home work, bake).
Love, B
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