I’m going to go ahead and admit it.
I’ve had a shitty week. Work was frustrating, I didn’t sleep enough, my hamstring is pulled a bit, and I’m just grouchy. Last night I showed up at the gym out of habit rather than desire.
On top of all that, it was the dreaded leg day. I look forward to it because I love training with my coach, but I would honestly would rather work any other body part than my legs. It was raining and thundering when I left the house. I almost cancelled. Habit prevailed.
Coach said I’d have a revelation at the end of the workout. After squatting 2x my body weight and a set of leg presses with 8 plates on each side, I did have that revelation. Sometimes the worst days produce the best workouts. Mood = lifted.
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Bad weeks can also product some amazing food. It’s not on purpose, but I tend to eat “fun” food when I’m having a bad day. Like it’s my bright spot.
There has been a whole lot of mood-lifting deliciousness in blog-land lately. My three latest addictions are thanks to fellow bloggers:
This Cauliflower Pizza Crust inspired by Gluten Free Happy Tummy. It’s the only cauliflower crust I’ve been able to pick up and eat like a slice of pizza. Also, the egg I included in round 2 was sinfully good. I heart runny eggs.
Kristen’s “Stuft”which – I do mine on P28 Protein Bread with sugar-free strawberry jam… sometimes I add a little Diaya and spinach. It’s the jam. 😉
My Protein Breakfast Tart based on Tessa’s recipe has become a staple in my kitchen. This one topped with “melted” blackberries (berries microwaved for 20-30 secs with 2-3 drops liquid stevia).
I have an ever-growing list of recipes to try. Look for these on Instagram and #WIAW next week:
- Meg’s Chocolate Brownie & Raspberry Parfait
- Alysa’s Oatmeal Pancake
- JL’s Tempeh Patties
- Lauren’s Beet Burgers
- Heather’s Almond Butter Granola Bars
- Ari’s 60-second Chocolate Chip Muffin
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A bright spot in my week was the photos you guys shared with me of your takes on some recent recipes I’ve posted. I always wonder if people actually try anything I make… so please do share when you do. Unless you hate it. 😉
Meg tried her hand at the previously mentioned Cauliflower Pizza Crust:
Heather made some gorgeous Paleo Oat-less Oatmeal, subbing coconut flour for the protein powder:
Allie enjoyed the Oatmeal Cookie Protein Shake I made per her request:
Min tried my PB & Jeggs the DAY I posted it… and vouched for its odd deliciousness:
Heather (miss you!!!) made my Mexican Vegan Crustless Quiche, but did it in mini springforms and added smokey hot sauce:
Soben rocked a Tiramisu Parfait, adding chia seeds:
I swear I drafted this post before I saw Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli‘s post today… it’s titled “Sprinting with Broccoli.” This girl – my prom date – wrote an entire POST about recipes of mine she’s tried. I’m so flattered… I’m speechless and I could cry happy tears.
Thanks for making my week 100x better, Heather. 🙂
***
The only thing I have left to say is TGIF.
What blogger recipes have you been loving lately?
What brightens your mood after a hard week?
Food will always make any bad week pass a little faster. I hope you have just as a delicious week and a better week to come 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Aw sorry you had a not so great week but glad that you saw the silver lining…and totally agree about bad moods impacting workouts in a good way! Especially while running, my speed inevitably increases if I’m pissed haha..gotta take out the frustration some where right! And hey, IT”S FRIDAY- so that alone is enough reason to smile. Have a great weekend, my friend!
Oh yeah – angry runs are the BEST! 🙂
Yours is the only one I’ve tried lately! The boys are already asking for more! I’m going to have to keep that in rotation in the fridge when school starts next week so they can grab and go!
I’m sorry it was a shitty week. I haven’t even had time to blog, it’s been that crazy here with getting things ready for the school year to start Monday and working. Hopefully you have a fun weekend planned and you get to feast today, right?! Keep your chin up and great job on the workout! I’m so proud of you!
That’s so cool! I’m still amazed that they like coffee so much.
Good luck getting the boy off tomorrow. Can’t belive the summer is already over!
A good workout always brightens my mood. Either that or wine.
Sorry you had a crappy week, Laura! Look on the bright side – it’s FRIDAY!! 🙂
I too have a few of your recipes on my list of things to try…first up – that chocolate protein cake. YUM!
Thanks, Parita! Let me know if you try that cake. 🙂
so fun that so many people are trying your recipes!!! yummm
Friday brightens my mood 🙂
I thought you were going to say cheese brightens your mood. 😉
I have a never ending list of blog recipes to try! I just can’t keep up!!!! That cauliflower pizza crust looks amazing! I will for sure be trying that out! I still have your Paleo oatmeal on my list too! I’m starting a paleo challenge soon so I’m sure that will be making an appearance in my meals!
I can’t wait to hear more about your paleo challenge! I’m not paleo (obv), but I did love those oats. 🙂
I need to try this cauliflower crust, Looks amazing. I am glad you found a way to push past those thoughts and go into that uncomfortable place. sometimes it is what helps.
you are a master creator! you deserve all of these posts!!
Love that little inspiration at the top. Just pinned it!
And also, couldn’t agree more than when I’m in a bad mood I often have a great workout. Hope things look up for you soon.
Thanks Tina!
Sorry you’ve had a ho-hum week. But you’re right, your food has been looking extra fabulous lately. It cheers me up as much as it does you!
Sometimes a really tough workout is JUST what you need to snap out of a funk. I love when it does the trick for me and I’m glad it helped you!
You most certainly have been eating some delicious things – so at least there’s that silver lining!
I had “No Oat Oatmeal” this week too and I LOVED it!
I loved reading your no oatmeal week – love of great ideas! 🙂
ill have to try out the c.crust recipe!
xoxo from Canada
Darn right I did! Glad you had some bright spots (and that people are giving your recipes the attention they deserve!)–and guess who made that smoothie again for breakfast today? This kid. Ohhh yeah. Just as good the second time–maybe ever better–although I have no more raisins, so it was raisin-less. I did also give your carrot shake a go the other day, but, I knew it, I’m a cookie gal, not a cake one 🙂 Plus, despite grating the carrots first, my blender said nothin’ doin’ to actually incorporating the carrot into the rest of the ingredients. I could cook them first, but that’s just too much work for a smoothie, haha. I came up with a bunch more smoothie ideas, if you ever need some inspiration, btw ;D –my post today reveals my complete incompetence at coming up with drinkable recipes on my own…
Enjoy the weekend, and start fresh next week 🙂
Yay! I’m excited that you like it so much. It was a great suggestion – feel free to pass along more! 🙂
I’m sorry you’ve had such a yucky week- but I love this post! And I’m going to have to get right on that cauliflower crust. I’ve made one a few times- but the fact that you can pick this one up with your hands has my attention!! I hope you make the beet burgers- I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
I just bought the stuff to make them – cannot WAIT! 🙂
So sorry about your crummy week – great food is my antidote to bad days, too. Thanks for the mention of the tempeh patties – hope you love them!
Thank, JL! I’m always inspired by your tasty eats. 🙂
Great round up of recipes. You’re definitely one of my “go-to” blogs for awesome, fun and creative recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Katie. That makes my day. 🙂
Dude, you are so creative in the kitchen I cannot help feel inadequate. Seriously, it boggles my mind sometimes how you find the time to not only put 100% (even when it feels like less than that) into your fitness training, develop recipes that are PHENOMENAL, read and comment on hundreds of blogs, enjoy a social life, AND hold down a job.
All that to say you are amazing. 🙂
Shut your mouth! You are by far the most creative blogger I know. I’d love to lock myself in a kitchen with you for a weekend. You. Rock. #nuttybutteradmiration
I’m fasting today. now i am starving. it all looks so good!
And I feel the same way about leg routines. So glad it turned out good for you.
Today is my leg day. We shall see… 😉
Ewwww… belated good luck with that fast. And leg day. What did you break the fast with?
gah! i wish we all lived closer so we could just rotate meals together. um, yes! love the runny egg too.
That would be so much fun! We should rent a kitchen for the next Blend. And you should COME to the next Blend.
Oh. That pizza with the runny egg. I need it.
I’m glad you were able to lift your mood!!
Yes, TGIF!!! I’m sorry you’ve had a crap week. The weekend will be much better! Usually I don’t feel better until I get everything crossed off my to-do list and I get some alone time (either exercising or reading).
I’m sorry you’ve had such a crummy week! I haven’t really shared about our crappy night last night, but urgent care is never fun. And takes forever. I’ll share more later. 🙁
I can’t believe you did a blog recipe love post today too – so funny! 🙂
Apparently we were all feeling the love this week!
Glad your “emergency” man is ok. 😉
Hope your weekend is better or at least filled with more awesome food like this stuff! That pizza is so gorgeous. I think you should work it into your next blog header 🙂
Thank you!!! I’ll have to talk to my designer. 🙂
Aww, I am so SO happy that I got my shiz together and did this THIS week! Glad I was able to return the favor and be one of your “bright spots” because thanks to you, this week has been one BIG bright spot for me…even helping me forget the “dark spots”! 😉 I love your creativity, I love your recipes, I love your face! Muah!
And hell freakin’ yeah! TWO TIMES YOUR BODY WEIGHT?! You are a total BEAST…and an amazing inspiration! I’m so proud of you!
I’m definitely making the cauliflower pizza again this weekend…just have to pick up some more eggs at the farmer’s market tomorrow! BB’s coming home this weekend, so I’m gonna see what he thinks! Oh and I HAVE to add the runny egg this time…I totally forgot last night until I sat down to eat! Lol
You just reminded me that I need to try Lauren’s Beet Burgers…AND your orange and roasted beet shake! Gotta be sure to pick up beets at the market too!
Awwww… Heather, I just loooove you. 🙂
That pizza you made was total food porn. We need to do a skype pizza party or something!
What a great bunch of recipes! I am a lazy cook so I will have to see if they have 5 or less ingredients & don’t make too much of a mess – I am lazy at cleaning too! 😉
LOVE the first part – Doing my workout is second nature to me. After over 30 years at this – it is the one thing that I am always glad I do NOT give up or let other things get in the way….
I don’t think any of them are extravagant. However, I don’t mind longer ingredient if most of them are spices – those are just so easy to throw in. Totally with you on the cleaning though.
Cheers to good habits! 🙂
I want to find a cauliflower crust recipe without eggs – please let me know if you happen to find one! Maybe it’s just not possible, though, because the egg has to hold everything together? Anyway, the stuftwich looks delicious – I <3 P28. I really like that special something flavor that all their products heart and I LOVE the chew factor.
You could try this on with a flax egg. I haven’t done it but it doesn’t call for a ton of eggs. In my modification I reduced what the original even called for.
Check out my blog on Tuesday for a fun P28 post… 😉
Hi Laura! TGIF! I hope you have some fun plans up your sleeve this weekend bc it sounds like you def need one! And I’m so so impressed and proud of you! You seat 2 times your body weight?!? Whelps, I shall live vicariously through you while I squat and lunge with 10 Ib dumbbells on each hand.
You seriously have soo many recipes that i want to try. And I’m not just saying that. I realized that I really need to incorporate more protein and stop stuffing my face with rice and noodles. What can I say? Those two are in my blood! I can’t imagine life without rice..haha. I just love all your creative ways to pack on more protein. Who knew sweet treats can become a protein beast? I’m dying to try the tiramisu parfait now!
Have a fantastic day, my mad scientist 😉
You will get there Min! I started with 10lbs too. Incorporating more protein will definitely help you build up more.
Thank you for your kind words. I like the thought of being a mad scientist. 🙂
Holy moly you have some strong legs. I am not a fan of leg day either! I used to enjoy it but I find back to be much more enjoyable, at least for me. After a hard week, a nice bowl of fro yo and ice cream lifts my spirits! Hehe other than anything food-related I would have to say just relaxing with my family. 🙂
I used to enjoy legs more too! I wonder why that changes?
Dohhh sorry for the poop week you have been having! But you certainly are good with the attitude adjustment and trying to find what makes you happy, fantastic Laura! Wallowing in self-pity feels pretty good for awhile, and then you realize, oh wait, not the best idea!
Thank you, Tessa! You are a big inspiration for attitude adjustments – I love your perseverance and outlook.
Sorry to hear you had a bad week! Workouts always have a way of putting you in a better mood 🙂
Great recipes you shared today!
So sorry you had a rough week! I was not feeling a workout today either, but always come home energized and happier. Those are three awesome recipes… maybe I’ll try them while at my mom’s next week… 🙂
Thanks Laura! Let me know if you do make any. Have a great visit with your mom! 🙂
Sorry you’ve had a less than stellar week. Hopefully now that it’s the weekend things will start looking better for you :] Thanks for sharing all those recipes girl. You are awessomee!
Ugh. I know the feeling of being totally beat but still keeping up with the workout as a creature of habit. I have found, in the past, that being angry and moody is usually cured with an angry workout. Even when I think I’m too tired, it doesn’t take more than 10 minutes of cardio to detox and release my anger/frustration. I can honestly say, if I don’t feel great, I’ve never felt worse after a workout, I’ve only felt better! So your questions…what brightens my mood after a hard workout? Well. My mood IS pretty bright after a hard workout. Cardio is my boo, so my hard workouts consist of super long runs. Every time I finish a 12+ mile run, I can’t help but be proud of it. For me, it’s nothing. But when I bring it up casually in conversation, I watch jaws drop. That alone gives me a boost of confidence. I tried a few “healthy cookie dough” recipes that were floating around. They were all terrible. Well, not terrible…but not cookie dough. At all. I made my own version which kind of rocks my face off. But blogger recipes have made a great starting point for me. I’ve found a few recipes that were “ehhh” that I’ve altered to become my new faves. Still need to try your tiramisu parfait. I’m optimistic about that one! =)
You’ll have to let me know if you try it… you seem like a tough customer. 😉
Awwwwwwww babyyyyy you make me so happy!!!!!!!! Thanks for wanting to try my recipe! I love all of yours I’ve tried SO much! I have tried your recipes most out of any other blog <3
I love you
For real?! That is the sweetest thing. I am totally flattered. I love you!!!
Your parfait is on the schedule for tomorrow – so excited!!!
Sorry it was a shit week my friend, but kudos to you for sticking with the workout.
Actually working out usually makes me feel better…though a few bottles of wine or some good scotch helps too. 😉
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
There may have been a combo approach to lifting my mod this weekend. 😉
Cheers to a little relaxation!
Hope this coming week is better. I’m debating pizza tonight. I have a baguette I need to get through, but pizza is on my mind and this crust looks so good. Maybe tomorrow. Once again I failed to pick up cauliflower at the market… sigh.
I am in the same boat – I want pizza but didn’t get any at the market yesterday. I was trying to limit my food spending. *sigh*
Awe, I’m sorry about the bad week. Just keep your attitude positive and things will work out in the end. I’m sure this weekend will help brighten things up! That’s some amazing looking food on this page. I may just have to bookmark this so I can make all the recipes! Everything looks awesome!
That’s funny because Legs are my favorite workout at the gym, I detest doing core work. I really need to try that cauliflower pizza crust. I’m intrigued!!
Core is my favorite! Sadly, I don’t get to do that any more. Silly contest prep. I’ll trade you my leg day for your core. 😉
The tiramisu parfait sounds divine!
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Cauliflower Pizza Crust! THanks for sharing! have a great week!