Strange But Red Velvet [Recipes]

February 13, 2015 By Laura

Red Velvet isn’t so strange.

Until I get a hold of it.

I’ve always been a fan of red velvet, but I went on a bender when I remembered it’s Vegas’ favorite. Of course, I couldn’t just do it the normal way (though I did once win a cake baking contest with my great grandmother’s “normal” recipe). I made it healthier and used beets. A little strange perhaps, but good!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I am doing the obligatory red post. Like I apparently do every year.* But these red velvet treats won’t leave you so full that you won’t want to participate in and romantic activities. Who am I not to follow good advice?

*One day I’ll be more original with V-Day food. This year I’m being original by actually having a Valentine. 🙂

Red Velvet Protein Shake…

Healthy Snacks on the Go

February 9, 2015 By Laura

As you have probably figured out, I am always on the go.

It’d be a shame to stagnate.

Whether it is traveling to the next exotic location or just running around town, I don’t sit still for very long. Unfortunately, this can mean grabbing something unhealthy to eat on those forays in my car. Granola bars, fruit, and raw veggies can only carry you so far. And what happens when you don’t feel like lugging along a cooler to keep things like Greek yogurt cold?

If you’ve been reading very long, you know I need variety! Anyone else looking for healthy (and delicious) snacks that don’t need refrigeration but are not the same old same old? I thought I’d share some of my stand-bys today.

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Spiced Protein Fiber Bars [Gluten-Free Recipe]

February 6, 2015 By Laura

It’s strange to admit, but we all like to be regular.

I mean that in the most TMI way possible.

Fiber. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Fiber helps you poop. It’s strange to admit to in public, but being regular is nothing but good. These Spiced Protein Fiber Bars are loaded with fiber, which helps you stay regular, which is good. #strangebutgood

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Irrational Aversions and Pancakes + WIAW

February 4, 2015 By Laura

We can’t always be rational.

I may abuse this with my irrational aversions.

Water sports are fine, but as soon as you want me to dunk my whole head under water… no dice. I abhor white potatoes… but I’ll eat hash browns and french fries if they’re ~~burnt~~ extra crispy.

There are certain words I cannot stand. “Chunked” shouldn’t be allowed on any restaurant menu. “Privileges” makes me relive a lot of teenage angst. While I love my chocolate cake to be such, the word “moist” makes me want to gag.

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It’s About Time You Try Protein Powder 3 Ways

February 2, 2015 By Laura

Peanut Butter Yogurt Bowl. Mocha Concrete Protein Shake. Pumpkin Cake Pancakes.

That’s my kind of ménage à trois!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know I’m a protein powder enthusiast. When About Time sent over a dream team of protein powders for me to try, I jumped at the chance. Birthday cake, peanut butter, cinnamon swirl… I was like a kid in a candy shop.

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I Own This + WIAW

January 28, 2015 By Laura

We create our own destiny.

I refuse to read my horoscope.

Someone told me that Mercury is in retrograde. After Googling to see WTF that meant, I called bullshit. There are times where life gets more challenging, time is short, motivation is lacking… but in the end we decide how we handle it.

Right now my struggle is on the superficial side, but a struggle nonetheless. It’s diet. I’m supposed to compete in 8 weeks and I’m struggling with getting back on track. However, I’ve decided to allow myself to be flexible. If I don’t make this show, there will be one the next weekend. And the next. And next year. I came to that realization by being honest about where I am. I talked to my ~~therapist~~ trainer Monday night and he reminded me that a lot is changing for me. I got married. It’s a new life. I don’t have to do EVERYTHING at once (insert shocked face). Doing stuff like enjoying dinner with Vegas on her birthday is more important right now.

That’s not to say I’m giving up. But whatever happens… I own this!

One thing that helps is treating myself with healthy buys… like a haul from iHerb. Beet powder (which I love in pancakes and Red Velvet protein shakes), Cocoa Cardio (Red Velvet Waffles!), peanut flour, and gelatin are daily staples. If you have any digestion “issues” I highly recommend it (here’s a post I did on it). I’m trying the collagen version for the first time with this order.

Use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your first order!

Another motivator is energy. I was thrilled when I received the two-10 discovery pack from FRS®. The pack includes a big bottle of FRS concentrate, a sample pack of soft chews, and 2 cans of their energy drink.

My favorite thing about FRS is their ingredient list and why it was developed. It was originally created by health scientists to provide chemotherapy patients with natural, sustained energy. The FRS patented Healthy Energy formula has the all-natural antioxidants quercetin (found in blueberries and apples) and green tea extract, plus seven essential vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E). I’m all about immune system support after getting the plague.

Not only are these drinks more delicious than the junk from the gas station, but they also doesn’t rely on chemicals, sugar and massive amount of caffeine to give you ~~the shakes~~ energy.

Vegas and I both loved the soft chews on our San Diego hikes. I could feel the difference mid-hike as I raced Vegas up a hill. I won, btw.

So, I’m challenging myself to go with the flow and not be so hard on myself. At the same time, I’m committed to doing my best and staying active. It’s what makes me happy! #iownthis

Learn more about the FRS two-10 discovery pack, and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of FRS.

This WIAW is 8 weeks out from my competition. See above.

Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!

Meal 1:

The usual morning cocktail, followed by my morning sludge.

Breakfast is the new standard – basil and garlic egg white scramble with a whole egg dropped in for #yolkporn. Toast with coconut oil and cinnamon.

Meal 2:

I baked Sizzlefish trout with lemon and Italian herbs. Eaten standing up with red bell pepper slices and kabocha.

Meal 3:

Chicken with sugar peas. Simple… but a perfectly cooked piece of chicken is actually one of my favorite things. That and hot sauce.

Meal 4:

Rice cakes with Nuttzo nut butter. I probably look forward to this meal a little too much. I had one with chocolate protein “icing” too.

Meal 5:

Rinse and repeat from last night. A giant peanut butter-sweet potato pancake made with Japanese white sweet potato.

Peanut Butter-Sweet Potato Pancake

2T peanut flour (an iHerb order)
1/2 C cooked sweet potato
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
5-6 drops liquid vanilla stevia

Blend and cook!

Meal 6:

I love yogurt. Really. I’m just as happy with bowls like this as I am with *most* regular desserts. Well, average regular desserts. Oh man, I love dessert.

This dessert bowl was 1/2 scoop of Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein mixed with plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon, almond extract, and vanilla liquid stevia. Then I mixed up 1/2 T cocoa powder and 1/2 T coconut flour with stevia and just enough water to make it a fluff. Topped with crumbled leftover pretzels from the plane. Sweet ‘n salty perfection!

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If Mercury means being impatient, then maybe I am a believer… ha!

Do believe is horoscopes and Mercury and all that jazz?

What are you owning right now?

Stand Up Desk + WIAW

January 21, 2015 By Laura

Do you realize how much you sit?

It makes my hips hurt!

I’ve gone through a lot of “hacks” to have standing desks. At one job I stacked up Girl Scout cookie boxes to set my laptop on. When I’m at home working, I use the condo gym to build a treadmill desk. I can’t stand to sit still. Standing up while I’m working helps to improve my focus. ~~Hey! Something shiny!~~

When my boss suggested I look into a “real” standing desk, I was thrilled. After some research, VertDesk offered to hook me up with one of their adjustable height desks. Talk about not sitting still – I was bounce-off-the-walls elated. The VertDesk even has a push button control to make height adjustment easy. My co-workers can adjust it to their height and use it and, if I ever DO decide to sit, I can simply push a button to lower it.

We’ve all seen the articles about how sitting is killing us… but why exactly is a standing desk beneficial?

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The Plague + Healthy French Toast [Recipe]

January 9, 2015 By Laura

I love Vegas in sickness and in health.

Just didn’t think we’d have to prove it so soon.

Today’s strange but good is a quickie because we’ve both been hit by the plague. I don’t know if it’s the flu or the worst cold ever, but we are miserable.

Yesterday my eye swelled up and started oozing a lovely substance. I’ll spare you that picture and instead share the scene on the nightstand:

In sickness and in health…

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