Starting the Weekend Off Right

It's been a crazy, busy, and overwhelming week.  I am VERY ready to enjoy the weekend!  I have lots of fun plans ahead including a lakefront run and then brunch Saturday and a celebration dinner Sunday to celebrate my friend finishing part 1 (the ethics portion) of The Bar.

Since I have summer hours (for those who don't know...summer hours in Chicago means you have half day Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day), I'm going to start off my weekend with a couple errands and then hopefully meeting some friends at the pool or shopping (depending on the weather).  The perfect beginning to a great weekend!

And now...what I know you have been waiting for: Friday Funday!

Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese: Spinach artichoke dip and grilled cheese got married and had a baby.  And he is awesome!

Cucumber Chili Mexican Paletas: Looks so refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.

Talk About Cooling Off: This elephant really knows how to do it.

The Funnel Wall: They say this wall plays music when it rains.  This, I need to see!

Food Tips: The Dorito one grosses me out.  The grapes and wine one is genius!

18 Running Facts: I love these fun facts.  They are both funny and sadly true. (there wasn't really a picture so I thought you would enjoy a sweaty picture of me post run)

It Takes Practice to be Awesome:  Love this kid!

Chocolate Chip Cookie: Sometimes a basic, classic cookie is just what you need!

New Lara-ball Flavor

Nuts and dried fruit are a great snack, especially pre-workout.  Nuts contain protein which provides energy.  Specifically, protein is best for "long haul" energy as oppose to carbohydrates which are more immediate.  Dried fruit, such as raisins, provide similar performance benefits when compared to sport gels.  Nuts and dried fruit are also extremely portable, cheap, and easy to find.  This is a huge reason why they are my go to pre-work out snack.

As much as I love the Lara-ball flavors that I posted here, I needed a change.  I checked out the different Larabars and decided to try Peanut Butter and Jelly.

I checked out the back of the label to see what ingredients were included.  Just 3 simple ingredients: peanuts, dates, and cherries.  While I love cherries an cherry flavor, I'm not a huge fan of the cherry and peanut butter combo.  I opted for strawberry flavor instead.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Lara-balls
Ingredients:
3/4 cup dates
3/4 cup peanuts
1 tbl sugar free strawberry jelly
-you could also use any other sugar free jelly or a small handful (ex: 5 cherries, 2 strawberries, a couple of blueberries)

Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients in blender
2. Form into 6 balls.

Since this recipe uses jelly or fresh fruit, store it in the fridge.

9 Miles on a Treadmill and a Taste of Texas

I'm back in Chicago!  I had a great time seeing my family and friends in Houston this past weekend.  It was so great seeing everyone, especially this cute little guy...

In just one month since I last saw him, he started not just walking...but running!  He is so active, energetic, and happy.  I loved spending time with him and the rest of my family.

Since I went out with friends Friday night, there was no way that I was going to wake up at 5 am to beat the Houston heat and humidity (let's be honest...it was still probably too hot and humid at that time anyway) to run my scheduled 9 miles.  Instead, I did it on the treadmill.  I was dreading running for that long on the treadmill, but it ended up not being so bad thanks to the Olympics.  During the first part of my run I watched men's cross country.  Talk about inspiring and perfect timing!  It was like I was running with them.  The second half was men's beach volleyball and who doesn't like looking at cute guys while they run?!

After 60 minutes (and before resetting the treadmill), went 6.28 miles.

Finishing the last 2.7 miles after another 25:55 minutes.

I felt a little silly (and crazy) having to restart the treadmill since it only runs for 60 minutes.  The girl running next to me definitely gave me a funny look.  Overall, I have to say that I impressed myself.  I kept a 9:30 min/mile pace and felt pretty good afterwards.

That night, I went for some well-deserved Tex-Mex.  Whenever I go back to Houston, I make sure to get some Mexican food.  When we were deciding where to go, I said that I didn't care where as long as the had good guacamole and tortillas.  My sister, brother in law, and I ended up going to El Tiempo...great decision!  We didn't even bother looking at the menu because we knew right away what we were getting: chips and salsa, guacamole, and chicken fajitas.  What else could you want? It was all delicious!  The tortillas were soft and warm, just the way they should be.  The chicken fajitas came on a hot plate along with grilled onions and peppers.  I loved the onions!  I definitely loaded up my tortilla with the onions (good thing I was just out with family haha).  

The fajitas (and Noah peaking out from behind them)

The rest of the delicious meal (clockwise: guacamole, beans, salsa, and rice)

After an impromptu decision, we got a sopaipilla for dessert.  A sopaipilla is basically fried dough...and it's awesome!  It came with a side of chocolate dipping sauce, honey on the side, and whipped cream.  Always being someone who loves to finish off a meal with something sweet, I was very happy about the decision.

Can't resist a little something sweet to complete the meal!

After a weekend of incredible food and eating (including a bagel Sunday brunch, my favorite Mediterranean restaurant, and an awesome home cooked dinner with swordfish and peach sauce), it's back to being healthy!  I hit up the grocery store and got some great staples and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Giveaway Winner

Right now, I'm in Houston and stupidly left my camera-computer connector (real great terminology right? you can tell how technological I am) so I'm going to hold off on posting until Wednesday.  I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I know that I am having a great time with my family and friends in Houston (despite the ridiculous heat and humidity).

However.....I wanted to post the winner of the PB Crave Giveaway.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:7Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Congrats to Kate!  Please email me your home address at elyssa.fink@gmail.com so that you can get your PB Crave variety pack.

Last Minute Flight and Friday Funday

After my Olympics post yesterday, another Chicago blogger posted about a fun workout to do while watching the Olympics.  It's like a drinking game, but for working out!  I will definitely try this out when I watch the Olympics in the next couple of days.  Check out the Olympic Challenge here.

I booked a last minute flight to Houston this week and just arrived late last night.  I'm so excited to spend a long weekend in Houston!  I have big plans to see my family and friends and to eat some good food.

Whenever I travel, I always bring a snack or meal with me.  I am easily tempted by the candy and snacks at the airport.  Having my own stash of foods keeps me from buying all those airport goodies which are definitely not good on the waist...or wallet!  My flight yesterday as around dinner time, so I brought a wrap from Freshii and a little piece of chocolate for my end of meal sweet tooth (Sorry...I ate it before I could take a pic. But it was loaded with veggies and chicken. And it was delicious).

I have a 9 mile run planned this weekend for my training.  Since the heat and humidity are out of control in Houston, I'm planning on completing my run in the treadmill.  Should be interesting!

And now....FRIDAY FUNDAY!

Watermelon Ice: A fun idea for outside BBQ.

Crab Salad in Avocado Halves: I love everything about this recipe.  It is another perfect summer recipe.

Barbie Creator's House: I wouldn't have expected anything else.

Bad Day Motto: I need to remember to think this during a bad day...

And to Do This:

Arms Like Natalie Coughlin: This is a great arm workout that I have on my list to do next week!

Sweating to the 90s: Why not put some 90s music on your next running playlist!

I'm Loving cherries! Both sweet...

And savory

Have a great weekend! Remember Sunday is your last change to enter the GIVEAWAY!

Obsessed with the Olympics

Like so many other people, I have become obsessed with watching the Olympics.  Minus the Opening Ceremonies, this year's Olympics have been one of my favorites to watch.  The Olympics have been so incredible this year with so many inspiring and amazing athletes.  Every night after work, I watch the various competitions (I mostly have been paying attention to gymnastics, swimming, beach volleyball, and diving).  And then in the morning, all my favorite athletes are highlighted and interviewed.  It's sad but I feel like I know them because I have watched them so much over the past week.

How can you not love Missy Franklin.  SHe is a 17 year old, gold metal winner who is still so down to Earth and a "normal" teenager.

Rogers (aka "The Professor") and Dalhausser are a great team to watch. Their chemistry (haha like that corny joke right there) is unbelievable.

The "greatest beach volleyball team of all time", May-Treanor and Walsh (who had 2 children since the last Olympic games) are going for their 3rd Olympic win.

First USA team gold since 1996...unbelievable!

Yup, that wink is meant for me.  If I knew how to wink without looking like an idiot, I would wink right back at you.

Last weekend, I watched the Olympics for a pretty good portion of my Sunday (and by that I mean basically all day minus when I left for brunch and the grocery store...food, obviously).  BUt when someone asked me what I did that day, I felt totally okay saying that I stayed home watching the Olympics.  I mean, it only happens once every four years right!?

I was talking with a friend last night and we agreed that not only are the actual Olympic Games amazing, but the commercials are too!  I know it sounds stupid but I'll totally admit that I don't mind the commercial breaks.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

My friend Ally told me about this one and I LOVE it.  By far one of my favorites.

The Olympic athletes aren't always serious.  Fitting in with the "Call Me Maybe" craze, the USA Olympic swimmers made a video themselves.  I know this song is so overplayed, but I couldn't resist.  And I know you will press play because there are some pretty good looking men swimmers in the video:

Have a great day!  Don't forget to enter the PB Crave giveaway HERE.

PB Crave Recipes

Keep entering the PB Crave giveaway HERE!  You can enter the giveaway until midnight on Sunday.

When I received PB Crave, I was so excited to try some new recipes.  PB Crave's flavors are a great way to change up an old peanut butter recipe favorite.  Do you have a go to peanut butter cookie recipe?  Try making it with Razzle Dazzle to make your cookies extra special.  Do you crave smoothies on a hot summer day?  Add CoCo Bananas to your smoothie to give it some extra flavor.

I'm going to share two different recipes that I made using different PB Crave flavors.  The first is Cookie Nookie Rice Krispie Treats.  It's definitely a classic sweet treat with some pumped up flavor.  I brought these to a friend's apartment while watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and they were a huge hit

Cookie Nookie Rice Krispies:

Ingredients:

3 tbl margarine

4 cups mini marshmallows

3/4 cup Cookie Nookie

6 cups Rice Krispies

Instructions:
1. Lightly grease 9 x 13 pan. Set aside
2. Put Rice Krispies in a large bowl.  Set aside.
3. In a medium pot on low heat, melt margarine and marshmallows. Stir constantly.  Add Cookie Nookie and stir until incorporated.
4. Add mixture to Rice Krispies.  Stir until Rice Krispies are completely coated.
5. Pour and press into pan.
6. Let cool, cut, then enjoy!

CoCo Bananas is my favorite of the peanut butters, so I obviously had to make something with it.  The second recipe is CoCo Bananas Granola Bars.  I decided to try and go a little bit healthier with this one and change up an Elvis Granola Bar recipe that I saw here. 

CoCo Bananas Granola Bars:
Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
2 tbl flax seeds (or chia seeds, both add texture)
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup unsweetened banana chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup CoCo Bananas
1/2 cup + 2 tbl honey

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9 x 13 pan and set aside.
2. Combine oats, flax seeds, peanuts, banana chips, and chocolate in a medium bowl.  Set aside.
3. In a medium pot on low heat, melt and combine honey and CoCo Bananas.
4. Add melted peanut butter and honey to bowl.  Stir until combined.
5. Pour and press into pan.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.
7. Let cool, cut, and enjoy!

There are so many other delicious recipes to make with the PB Crave flavors!  Be sure to enter the giveaway HERE for your chance to win all 4 PB Crave flavors.