It’s Sunday. I have a couple confessions to make.

Are you ready for this? Confession #1: I’ve had Lightroom (a photo editing software) for months and have yet to really use it. Which leads to…Confession #2: I use Preview (a basic file viewing program on Macs) to edit my photos for the blog.

For someone who loves photography, it’s really quite awkward to say out loud. It’s like saying you’re a coffee snob, but you drink crappy instant coffee everyday.

Anyways, I’ve been putting off using Lightroom to edit photos because I haven’t had time to learn the ins and outs of the program. I edited RAW files for a couple months using Digital Photo Professional (the Canon software that came with my camera), but I fell off the wagon when it started to become too time consuming and went back to JPEG + Preview.

Thanks to Irene, I was stuck at home yesterday with a few hours to play around with Lightroom.

I shot a quick photo of some strawberries with my creeper lens and got to work. I probably should’ve used my macro lens, but I didn’t know I was eventually going to blog about it.

***

I have never taken a photo editing class before, so this is just me playing around with settings as an amateur. If I can do this, so can you. It’s all about trial and error. Oh and a warning…take what I say with a grain of salt!!

1. Unedited photo (straight from the camera)

It’s not bad, but it’s dull. It could be so much better.

2. Edited JPEG with Preview

I dialed up the brightness, saturation and contrast a bit. It’s more vibrant than the unedited photo, but the clarity has been sacrificed! They’ve got a plastic look to them.

I would probably post these in an everyday blog post, but I wouldn’t submit these to Bon Appetit or anything…

This is what Preview looks like in case you’re wondering. It’s BASIC.

3. Edited RAW with Lightroom

What I changed:

• Increased exposure
• Increased contrast
• Increased clarity
• Increased vibrance
• Increased highlight recovery
• Green hue shift to the right
• Sharpened it up

There’s no doubt that the Lightroom version looks the best. The strawberry seeds are sharper and they look juicier! Meaning, they look real.

Do you see what I see?

***

I spend enough time as it is on my blog posts, so I most likely won’t be editing in Lightroom for every day blog photos. Perhaps I’ll get faster with more practice, but for now I’ll reserve that for recipe posts and my favorite travel photos.

If all this means nothing to you, I hope at the very least you’re craving sweet succulent strawberries now!

I think I’m finally at the point where I don’t wake up the day after a run sore and waddling like a penguin. Every time I begin my running cycle it takes me about 2-3 weeks to build up my mileage, my endurance and my running muscles! I think I’ve reached the end up that stage now (thank goodness). Hopefully I can keep building up my mileage when the summer heat sets in. If you remember last summer, I had to take a long break from running due to some shin pain and super hot temps.

Soon, the days of perfect running weather will be few and far between…and then later, they’ll be long gone. Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts, folks!

This afternoon, I ran 4.5 miles and walked 1 mile on my usual loop. It really felt like I ran 10!

~ ~ ~ ~ Crazy wind gusts!!! ~ ~ ~ ~

I know I say this every time but really, today was the craziest by far. I had to stop and walk for a good 1/2 mile because I was pretty much pushing against a wall with my forehead (!!).

I was tempted to quit and walk home but I repeated my new mantra and forged on. Running against the wind will only make you a stronger runner.

***

Post workout, I assembled a tacowrap. I was a little overzealous stuffing my wrap and it became a giant taco .

I was going to hold it together with two shot glasses from our collection (taco style), but I ended up using a toothpick instead.

The Las Vegas shot glass is one of my favorites!

I wanted to make an egg salad with hard-boiled eggs, but the yolks came out a little too runny [bunny]. My patience was dwindling and I took them off the stove early.

I knew it would happen but I just didn’t want to wait 3 more minutes!!

I ended eating a whole egg straight up…love runny yolk.

Then I used another whole egg and one white mixed with Nayonaise to make the egg salad. Stuffed in a habanero lime wrap with tomatoes and spring mix.

I heated the wrap directly on the stove. A trick I learned from my host family in Mexico. The first time I saw my “sister” do it, I thought she was going to burn the house down!

On the side, a banana and toasted pecans.

Soon after, I walked to Harris Teeter with my Uncle where I sampled some pineapple, cantaloupe, bread ‘n hummus and cinnamon buns!

Another 1.5 miles logged for the day.

I tried to hold out for dinner but the juiciest strawberries ever were staring me in the face and I had to eat them. Look at these beauties…

Just in case you think I’m cray cray, the thought process for my post title was…

Run + Runny Eggs –> Eggs –> Easter–> Bunny.

Runny Bunny

I’ve got lotsa work to do tonight! I’ll be back tomorrow with the winner of the Glass Dharma Giveaway to celebrate Earth Day <— Last chance to enter. Do it!

Also, be sure to check out my guest post on Little Bitty Bakes. Coconut Bird’s Nest Cookies just in time for Easter.

I am going to be reviewing a product of my choosing from CSN Stores soon. I’m not sure what I’m going to pick yet–perhaps a new kitchen appliance, a yoga mat or a bookcase headboard….as a housewarming gift, ya know?

Today was quite a productive day. It was a different kind of ‘productive’ though. I got nothing on my to-do list checked off. I only spent about 15 min. Tweeting and reading blogs. I didn’t get my workout in (until just now) and I didn’t get a chance to work on the recipe I was hoping to get done.

Instead, I spent the day cleaning up the condo with my dad and then running errands all over town. I had some leftover junk in my room to sort through and I also cleaned my bathroom. I have a major bathroom phobia. Not just public bathrooms but my own bathroom too. Of course, I’m not above cleaning my bathroom, but I definitely have to hold my breath and scrunch up my nose to get through it. It is by far my most hated household chore. Washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming and Swiffer Sweeping, I’m totally okay with, but cleaning bathrooms gives me the heebie jeebies.

Anyways, I feel like I accomplished a lot today even though it is now almost 10 PM and I am just sitting down to check my email, write this blog post, and show you fragments of my eats.

Such is life.

***

This morning, I ate a bowl of pumpkin Greek yogurt mixed with eggy oats. Toppings included pecans, banana slices and cinnamon grahams.

I’ve been noshing on Newman’s Own Organics snacks all day long. I found this huge package at my doorstep last night filled with Newman’s Own Organics products sent to me for free. I’ve been eager to try some of these for a long long looong time.

I’ve already cracked open 6 of the snacks! Two of my favorites have been the Hermits and the Alphabet Cookies.

These Hermits are the bomb. I’ve been thinking about how to describe them all day. They’re a mix between an oatmeal raisin cookie and a Fig Newton (or Fig Newman I should say). They have a strong molasses flavor, which I love.

I’m trying to be smart about my snacking because I could easily go overboard with these snacks running loose in the house and end up completely ruining my appetite for real meals. As an avid snacker, I have to be careful not to snack through my meals.

***

My dad came home from Costco yesterday with this humongous pumpkin pie. Ohhh Peter.

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater.

I’ve had small slivers here and there. It’s daaaarn good!

Allie Allie Kale Eater.

Doesn’t have the same ring to it, huh? I got a huge bunch of kale over the weekend and it’s been the only green leafy veggie I’ve had access to all week. I love that I can wash it, microwave it for 45 seconds and voila! I have a steamed kale.

Tonight, I threw it in a huge Green Smoothie along with spinach, strawberries, bananas, protein powder and almond milk.

My workout was 60 min. on the elliptical and some lower body strength training. It felt good to get my legs moving after yesterday’s run and then sitting in the car all afternoon.

Alright, I’m off to tackle my to do list now. Fingers crossed I’ll be back tomorrow with a recipe.

***

Tell me: What household chore do you hate the most? What are your strategies for preventing your snacks from overtaking your meals? Or maybe you don’t have that problem .

1. A New Neighborhood Run

This morning I set out on a run in my new neighborhood. I had no idea where I was going and had no goal distance in mind. I ran 6 miles in just under 62 min. I tried to find a good loop and ended up getting LOST. It worked out that I found my house right as I was nearing the 6 mile mark.

I was totally prepared to knock on someone’s door and ask to use their phone to call my dad though .

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE HERE!!

I felt like Julie Andrews running along the hills of the Swiss Alps in the opening scene of The Sound of Music. Holy smokes! The hills were so steep and rarely was the path just flat. I’d say half the time the slope was equivalent to a 6-9% incline on the treadmill. Whew wee!!

Despite the crazy hills, I’m really starting to feel like I’m back in the running groove again, finally. I think the cooler weather has helped a lot. More importantly, simply knowing I can power through the the most difficult part of the run for me (at around the 1.5 mile mark), gives me a great deal of confidence.

Running is physical but it’s also mental as well.

***

The last uphill portion of my run left me breathless!

Yeah, I have a gum ball machine. I’m cool like that.

2. New Bath Tub and Shower Curtain

I took an ice bath immediately after coming back (in my new bath tub). My tush is gonna be s-o-r-e tomorrow from all those hills.

Like my new shower curtain? I got it at Homegoods (AKA Wonderland).

3. New (to me) Gym

Yesterday, I went over to the club house to use the gym (my first time!). The machines are older than the ones in the condo gym and don’t have personal TVs, but it is pretty nice and just about a mile away from our house.

My workout:

• 60 min. elliptical
• 10 min. upper body strength
• 10 min. stationary bike

4. Pumpkin Butter

Believe it or not, I bought this jar of McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Butter last year but had to wait until I finished my TJ’s jar to open it. I had a sample of it once and found it was much much better than the TJ’s version (sorry Teej). It’s local too–made in Maryland!

It is much more pumpkiny and less syrupy/sugary than TJ’s pumpkin butter. Meaning, I’ve been eating it straight outta the jar .

This morning, I made a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte using almond milk, pumpkin butter and cinnamon.

5. New Blender

…not really.

This is our ancient older-than-me blender that is still alive and kickin’. I usually use my Magic Bullet since it’s easier to clean, but it’s still sitting in our old house.

Post run, I made a smoothie using wheatgrass, protein powder, strawberries and banana.

6. New Favorite Snax

I also had a slice of brown rice bread topped with pumpkin butter, Justin’s Maple Almond Butter (free sample), and an Adora Calcium disc (free sample). I’ve been eating this snack almost every day.

Not new to me at all!

I received this jar of Justin’s Maple AB yesterday and I’ve already gone through about 1/3 of the jar. It was one of the first almond butters I tried almost 3 years ago (when I found out I wasn’t allergic to almonds). I will say with confidence that it is my favorite almond butter.

No other brand even comes close.

I’ve also been loving Greek yogurt mixed with eggy oats. The combination of hot grains and creamy cold yogurt is just lovely.

For the eggy oats, I mixed some leftover sweet crepe batter with oats and egg whites and then popped it in the microwave for 2 minutes. I topped the whole bowl with banana and cinnamon.

Clearly, I crave carbs and protein post workout!

7. New Apples!

My mom’s co-worker went apple picking and my mom paid her $9 for this huge bushel. Oh my apples.

I have no idea how these will get eaten up if I don’t bake something with them!

Last but not least….

8. My New Photography Spot!

Welcome to my new photography studio…the outside portion at least.

We got this outdoor table from IKEA, which I’m excited to start shooting on. The deck also has these white pillars that are great for shooting something with trees in the background. I’ve got plenty of chairs to stand on for a bird’s eye view shot .

I also have window sills without those awkward grey things now. Wahoo!

This is where the magic will be happening from now on .

Alrighty, it’s time for me to shower and unpack some more (it never ends!!!). I hope to be back tomorrow with a fun recipe, if all works out as planned!

Reminder: You only have until tomorrow to vote for me and my crepes in the Project Food Blog contest! I need your vote so I have a good excuse to throw a delicious dinner party on Saturday .

***

Tell me: What’s something NEW in your life that you’re enjoying?

Some people travel to Paris to visit the Arc de Triomphe. Some people travel to Paris to climb the Eiffel Tower.

Some people travel to Paris to go wine tasting. Some people travel to Paris to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa.

Some people travel to Paris to get lucky.

I travelled to Paris to eat crepes.

Two years ago, I took a 4-day trip to Paris while studying abroad in London. I ate crepes day and night….night and day.

I ordered crepes from the takeaway stands on the side of the street. I ordered crepes while dining in restaurants. I ate crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner….oh and dessert!

I would go as far as saying the banana + Nutella crepe I had in Paris qualifies as the best thing I have ever eaten.

It helped that my travel buddy and I walked over 10 miles a day and I constantly needed fuel. I mean, we walked everywhere. 5 miles to the Eiffel Tower? Okay, let’s walk there…and back!

Not to mention, my travel buddy’s walking speed could pass for jogging…err sprinting! I was so focused on breathing and putting one foot in front of the other, I could barely eat my crepe(s). She was also not a very big fan of crepes and thought I was a bit of a nut case.

Clearly, she was the nut case.

Even though I wasn’t yet a food blogger back then, I did take a photo of my crepe. It was that good.

***

Now, I have a confession to make. Up until today, I had never made a real, authentic, French crepe. I tried once when I was about 10 years old but it turned out way too thick to be a crepe. Meaning, it was more like a pancake. When I found out challenge #2 for the Project Food Blog contest was to recreate a classic ethnic dish, there was no question I wanted to make crepes.

Real crepes.

Authentic French crepes.

Sweet and savory crepes.

I researched online for crepe-making tips. You know, crepe making is an art form. I didn’t want to just combine ingredients and make a flat pancake. I wanted to recreate the crepes I ate in Paris using real butter, whole milk, flour, and eggs. I visited a crepe-load of websites to learn all the different types of crepes out there, namely sweet crepes or crêpes sucrées and savory crepes/buckwheat crepes or galettes de sarrasin.

I copied down about 20 different variations so I could compare them. I even drew diagrams of how I wanted to photograph them (Did you know I painted the Mona Lisa? ). Yes, ‘Julia’ at the bottom right hand corner is short for Julia Child.

***

The first thing I had to do was make the crepe batter. I made it the night before because I learned that it’s best to make the batter ahead of time so the bubbles can settle and the flour can absorb the liquid. This prevents the crepe from tearing when you cook them.

So at 1AM in the morning, I blended the ingredients for my crepe batter in my bedroom as not to disturb my family.

For the savory crepes, or galettes de sarrasin, I used buckwheat flour and oat flour. I learned that in France, savory crêpes are typically made with buckwheat flour.

Galettes de Sarrasin

Adapted from NY Times

Ingedients:

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/4 cup oat flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 large eggs
• 2 TBSP butter, melted
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions: 1) Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 20 min. before cooking. Stir well. Add more milk to the batter until it is the consistency of heavy cream. 2) Heat a large pan and coat with butter. Pour 1/2 cup of crepe batter and tilt pan until bottom is evenly coated. Cook both sides until lightly browned. 3) Wrap crepes in a damp towel and keep in the oven while cooking the rest of the crepes.

For the sweet crepes (crêpes sucrées), I increased the amount of oat flour and decreased the amount of buckwheat flour. I also added vanilla extract and sugar.

Crêpes Sucrées

Adapted from Alton Brown (Food Network)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/3 cup buckwheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 TBSP butter, melted
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: Same as above

***

Then it was time to brainstorm the filings/toppings for my crepes.

Crepe Menu:

1. A savory crepe filled with pan-seared salmon, asparagus and an avocado mayonnaise dressing

2. A savory crepe filled with brie cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and spinach

3. A sweet crepe filled with chocolate hazelnut butter and banana, topped with strawberries

I coated the pan with pats of butter before pouring the crepe batter.

Ready, set, go!

I did not have a flat crepe pan, so I whirled my pan around and around until the crepe batter was evenly distributed.

Savory Crepe #1

Savory Crepe #2

Last but certainly not least, the sweet crepe.

Bon Appétit!

Notes:

1. All photos of France and crepes were taken by moi.
2. You are all invited over for crepes. Seriously, we have 80 billion crepes sitting in the refrigerator.
3. Voting for Project Food Buzz Round 2 begins tomorrow at 9AM. If you enjoyed this post and would like to vote for me, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you in advance for your vote!

Tell me: What is the best thing you have ever eaten?

*** Edited to add: check out the outtakes for this post here!

Today was just one of those days. I mindlessly ate (and ate some more) even though I wasn’t feeling the least bit hungry. I continued eating despite feeling quite full–the complete opposite of intuitive/mindful eating. Hmmm.

Of course, I always try to pinpoint why this happens when it does so I can learn a thing or two from my experience. I narrowed it down to a few reasons: 1) A new box o’ cereal in the pantry 2) Looking at so many delicious baked goods for sale <–AllieBars for sale! 3) Watching The Food Network and 4) Applying for jobs.

Writing up a cover letter almost always gives me major munchies. For me, applying for jobs works similarly to studying for exams. Perhaps, next time I’ll head to a coffee shop to write rather than sit in my kitchen!

You live and you learn, right?

***

Today started with a bowl of Autumn Harvest cereal and almond milk. Yes, there is something missing in this photo. A banana!! Ohhh how badly I wanted a banana to go along with this bowl…

Cereal munching continued afterwards.

I also had some chocolate. It’s never too early for chocolate.

Greek yogurt.

Frozen organic strawberries.

And repeat.

***

I made sure to get in some protein and fat with leftover salmon from last night and an Amy’s veggie burger with 1/3 avocado.

No more munching, it’s time to buckle down and get to work now!

***

Edited to add: I thought I was done eating and then I found myself making tofu burgers with Peter. It was all his idea, I swear!

Naturally I ate one….and a half.

More on that to come. I’ve got writing to do and maybe some walking to help me digest.

***

Tell me: What brings out ze munchies for you? What do you do to quiet them down?

Me: What’s that stool doing in the kitchen?

Peter: Oh, I was standing on it to take photos of dinner…

***

Last night, I went down to the gym as Peter was cooking dinner. I instructed him to snap a few photos of the dishes in my absence. He told me he didn’t know how to use the camera but I told him not to worry, just shoot it! My dad has an SLR from back in the day (one that uses real film!) but hasn’t used my digital SLR except to snap a few photos of people and broccoli .

Let’s see how he did, shall we?

Salmon with onions, (nicely arranged) heirloom tomatoes and a twig of parsley as a garnish. [I'm tellin' you, he's all about presentation now that he knows y'all are watching!]

Close up shot…not bad not bad.

Okra, beef and onions.

[It appears as if Peter realized outdoor lighting is superior to indoor lighting]

Thanks, Dad for snapping the photos!

***

I came home to a plate reserved just for me. Peter made a third dish of wilted spinach that he forgot to photograph.

I had the whole plate on a bed of spring mix. We got a huge tub from Costco so get ready for lots of salads this week!

…and then I went back for the rest of the plate. I was oddly hungry just 40 min. after dinner.

Thus, I had a cup of frozen strawberries, 6 dark chocolate discs and some cereal + almond milk. We’ll call that dessert .

It’s getting dark so early these days! You know summer is coming to an end when dinner photos are shot under artificial lighting. Moo!

***

Want to try a batch of AllieBars? I’ve donated a batch of AllieBars to Tina’s Blog Bake Sale to benefit Team in Training! Bidding is taking place all day today.

Packed up kitchen

Limited options here

Limited in selection…

…not in taste

Is it September?

Feels like July!

Or 2003?…oops

Less decaf tomorrow

Look very closely

Lion King anyone?

***

Sweaty Betty Workout

• 60 min. elliptical
• 15 min. legweights
• Abs ‘n’ stretch

***

Same ol’ snax…

…in this kitch

Gotta play fair

Nothing But ‘Nut’

***

Nothing…

… new ….

…here

Love this girl

Short on time?

Skip to 1:40

***

Special post coming!!

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.

(Catch the pattern?)

I got a little too excited about my new nut butters yesterday. I should have put them away after Round 1. Instead, I sat next to them at the kitchen table as I blogged. Danger danger. My pesky little finger/spoon (okay, fork) went back for more and more mindless scoops.

I had absolutely no desire for anything else sweet for the rest of the night….or anything at all for that matter (isn’t it crazy how filling nut butter is?). I rarely burn out my sweet teeth but they were awfully exhausted by the end of last night’s nut butter-fest.

I didn’t eat any nut butter for an entire week because we ran out. I suppose my body/mind/soul missed it dearly…?

(How I lived the first 20 years of my life without nutz/nut butter is completely beyond all comprehension)

I actually started eating Justin’s almond butter over 2 years ago. Fact: I brought 20 squeeze packs with me to London (study abroad) and savored every morsel.

Imagine if I had started my blog back in August 2008 (!!). I desperately wanted to start a food + fitness blog since I had been reading them for several months by that point but I just never got around to it. I did start a silly little blog that focused on my travels in London. It was mostly just to show friends and family my adventures…and photos of the massive London Whole Foods!

Guess what my blog was called?

***

This morning I had 1/2 of a Chocolate Chip Brownie Larabar and 1/2 an AllieBar as my pre-workout snack.

I loved the real chocolate chips inside. Check out the massive nutz!

I got in a sweaty betty workout to cure my nut butter hangover:

• 26 min. run
• 22 min. incline walk
• 20 min. elliptical
• 10 min. arm weights

My post workout meal had to be FAST because I was rushing out the door to go to the dreaded DMV.

I quickly made an egg white veggie wrap with Laughing Cow cheese spring mix and tomatoes + a side of Chobani Pineapple 2%.

Microwaving egg whites from a carton is a lot less scary than egg whites from eggs. Carton whites don’t *pop*!!

Mmmmmmm!

I needed this table to be larger, so I used my firm placemat and then put the flimsy one I wanted to use on top.

Magic.

Actually this was the real magic…

The Chobani Fairy saw that I bought some Plain Chobani last month and asked if I wanted a free sample (FTC disclaimer!) of their other flavors.

Do I want free Greek yogurt?

Is the sky blue?

Does Paula Deen use butter?

I am not one to refuse Greek yogurt.

Dairy sensitivity or not.

‘Twas like Christmas morning!

I love when shipments come with these reusable ice packs! Perfect for my shins and hip.

I usually don’t buy flavored yogurt because of the higher sugar content so I’ve only ever tried the plain, pineapple and pomegranate flavors. Instead of syrup/fruit on the bottom, I like to customize plain yogurt with fresh fruit and honey/agave/stevia. My body most definitely needed sugar (and protein) post workout today so this was perfect. The pineapple flavor was as good as I remembered it! Greek yogurt is creamilicious ‘n’ delicious, especially 2%.

I am eager to try the other flavors!!

***

I had to dash off to the DMV with my dad so I brought along the other half of the Larabar.

Enter: 3 1/2 hours of sitting and waiting.

***

Upon walking in the door, I made a gigantic smoothie with 1/2 AllieBar crumbles.

.
Most of it sunk to the bottom…

.

(whey protein, wheatgrass, strawberries, bananas, spinach)

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I also had a piece of toast with my new nut butters and banana slices.

.

.
I just ate some veggies and shrimp from Peter’s Kitchen.

.

.
…and dug into 1/2 a carrot cake Larabar and a scoop of Barney Butter. I’m storing them in my closet though so I have to walk at least 7 seconds to reach my stash .

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Plus some cantaloupe.

.

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Alright, this Clutter Queen has some packing to do!

***
Tell me: What’s your favorite flavor yogurt?

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I grew up loving strawberry banana and vanilla.

Weren’t we just talking about Fall coming soon? Pumpkins, crunchy leaves and apple cider?

NOT.

By the time I woke up this morning it was 80 stinkin’ degrees. I braved the heat and went on a run outside ‘cuz I wanted to take advantage of the carb-fest that went on yesterday (more on that below). I almost always have amazing runs after a day of carb-lovin.’

Even though I found a shady trail to run on, it was quite steamilicious out there. I even tried thinking about my runs in the winter to cool down….like the day I was completely Fooled by the Sun. It was 40* F that day and I was frozen solid running along the WaDuke Trail. Sadly, that mental trick didn’t work too well today because I got tired…fast.

I ran 1.5 miles and then turned back around to walk the 1.5 miles back home. I felt defeated but I wasn’t about to give up just yet. I hopped on the treadmill and ran another 2 miles for a total of 3.5 miles. My goal was 4, but I listened to my body and that was as far as my legs wanted to run today. More on why I had a goal distance later .

I ended with a quick 10 min. of upper body strength training.

***

Afterwards I drank a Cole Dass Smoothie.

Made with vanilla whey, frozen strawbs, banana, wheat grass, frozen spinach, stevia and ice.

I froze some strawberries last week but I forgot to cut off the leaves. FAIL. Good thing I like green leaves in my smoothies, huh?

Eggy Oats with bananas and pecans

***

Did you know there was a Carb Festival going on this past week?

The Chunky Monkey Granola was devoured in just a couple o’ days. Poor thing! On it’s last day I used it as a topping for a bowl of TJ’s Euro yogurt + oatmeal <—really good together!

The base.

Plus banana, strawberry and granola.

And then I finished off the bag!

Abracadabra!

***

That was just the appetizer for Saturday’s main event. I was sent these chips from Boulder Canyon Natural Foods to review (for free). We purchased a large bag of the same brand from Costco a few months ago. Since we thoroughly enjoyed that flavor (Rice and Adzuki Chipotle Cheese) I was eager to try some other flavors.

I thought I wasn’t a big chip person, but apparently I thought wrong. I was under the impression that it was safe to open up a bag. Ummm nope! I chose the Hummus and Sesame Tortilla variety first and ended up finishing the entire bag throughout the day–so good! I really enjoyed the delicate yet crispy texture. It had a hint of hummus flavor but it wasn’t too strong.

Later that night, my mom brought me a couple bites of a dessert made out of dates. Upon eating it, I had an allergic reaction!

So what did I do? I cracked open another bag of chips to make it go away. I chose the Olive Oil Kettle Chips. Whenever I get allergic reactions, crunchy carbs make me feel all better. These chips did the trick. Unfortunately this happened at around midnight. Oof.

I most definitely had a migraine from [delicious] chip overdose and I felt really dizzy. Double oof.

***

Look what happened to my photography spot!

This week is officially moving week!

My worst nightmare.

It seems like we’ve been moving all summer long but this week is THE week. It’s down to the wire now, folks. My crap has either gotta get packed or thrown away!

So if I’m missing in action and/or eating super lame food, you know why.

***

Tell me: What is your favorite brand/flavor of chips? What’s your favorite carby food?

Cheddar Sour Cream and granola for me. Although, muffins are a close second!