Wednesday, February 20, 2013

"Cliff Bar" Cookies and learning to run again

I've had a lot of trouble motivating myself to work out independently the past few weeks. This has meant LOTS of group fitness classes and practically ZERO running since the new year started. 

Today, on my day off, I strapped on my super-sweet-neon Newtons and ran it out. The endorphins from running can get you so revved up that you do too much too soon, which is when injuries happen! However, starting slow is not really my forte. I prefer jump in and give it all you've got. But, I've got no time for injuries, and with age comes wisdom right? My joints can't handle all that pounding. 

In the Fall, I could run an easy 6-7 miles, pre-residency and pre-dark-all-the-time Chicago winters. Based on that, my goal is a 10k in the next few weeks. And here is the plan I am following... Let's do it together!
from lifeshinysideup.com

Also, on my day off, I FINALLY made it to the grocery store. But instead of walking out with my favorite, McCann's Quick Cooking Irish Oats, I accidentally bought steel cut. A pretty horrific mistake! I eat oatmeal every day, but steel cut?! Yikes! It takes too long to cook and is too creamy for me. 

So instead, I made these delicious cookies!





A twist on no-bakes to use up the steel cut oats that would otherwise just sit on the shelf. They are full of fiber, protein and of course, chocolate! Also, the whole recipe took one saucepan and about 10 minutes! 


"Cliff Bar" No Bakes


Hands on time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes


What you need:
  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup steel cut oatmeal
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup Truvia baking blend (if using normal sugar use 1/2 cup)




Mix all the ingredients except the vanilla and the oats in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat. Stir to combine and beat with a fork until smooth. Allow the mixture to come close to a boil, but not quite. Then add in your vanilla and the oats. Mix well. Remove from heat and allow the dough to cool just enough that you can roll it into small walnut sized balls. Put the balls on wax or parchment paper and press them down into coin sized cookies. Allow to  cool completely.

What you get:
A delicious, filling cookie for 40 ish calories! (Mine were made with almond milk and truvia, so the calories are based on that.) I was able to make approximately 50 cookies from this recipe! Holy cow! They have TONS of fiber from the oatmeal, protein from the peanut butter and milk, vitamins from the banana and antioxidants from the cocoa powder. They are a great pre-workout energizer, after school/work snack or dessert! A great cliff bar/cookie combination!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

A very (mac and) cheesy Valentine's Day!

I've always loved Valentine's Day! You can be disgustingly sappy, but no one can fault you for it, because you've got a holiday for an excuse! This day can make you feel incredibly special, or, as many Valentine's Days for many people have, kinda lonely.

One of my favorite Valentine's Days was my sophomore year of college. I lived in a house with my two best friends from childhood. We were all single, and rather depressed whomp whomp, that we had no dates that evening. So we were each other's dates! It was a homemade-meat-filled-cheese-drenched lasagna, a bottle (or 3) of red wine, and an SVU marathon kind of night. And it was great. I was with people who loved me more than anything. And celebrating love, any and all kinds of love, is what Valentine's Day is really about.


My two best friends in the back yard of our college house, dancing (obviously) at one of our famous BBQs
Although I cherish that memory, things have changed. My attempts to live healthy no longer allow me (thankfully) to eat a 1/3 of a lasagna and drink a bottle of wine. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy some delicious cheese! Enter homestyle cauliflower mac and cheese! I told you cauliflower would change your life. I also have a wonderful boyfriend...who happens to be, currently, hundreds of miles away (I love you!). Enter my best friend and early makeshift Valentine's Day date. 
Brett, enjoying a yummy meal!
Salad, Mac and Cheese and Malbec

Looking for something to make for your valentine tonight? Or be your own valentine and make it just for you! PS it's approved by one of America's most loved power couples...the recipe is based on one of Mrs. Obama's favorite dishes! 


Cauliflower Mac and Cheese





Hands on time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30-40 minutes

What you need:
  • 1 lb whole wheat penne pasta
  • 1 cup skin milk
  • 1 lb shredded part skim cheese (I used half mozzarella and half cheddar)
  • 1/2 head of Cauliflower cut into florets
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp garlic (I used powder because I was lazy)
  • 1/2 chopped small yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 Tbs butter
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • Fresh parsley
I love my food processor, pulverizing the cauliflower

Hidden cauliflower puree

Getting all the ingredients together

Just before the oven

Fresh out of the oven! Bubbly, crusty and delicious

Steam your cauliflower. I used fresh and so I put my florets in a pan with a little water and did it the old fashioned way. You can also use those steam in a bag microwave cauliflower packages. Whatever works, save time where you can! Now put a pot of water on the stove to boil. If you are using real garlic, chop up a clove and chop up your onion, cook them in a hot skillet with the olive oil until translucent. Put the pasta in your boiling water and while that is cooking, add your steamed cauliflower florets to a blender or food processor and turn it into a smooth cream. Add the cauliflower puree to your oven safe casserole dish. Mix in the onions, garlic, milk, and shredded cheese. When your pasta is done (cook it al dente since it will keep baking) mix it into the dish. Chop your fresh parsley and add a few pinches to the mac and cheese, along with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Top with the parmesan cheese. How many times will this post say cheese, love it! Cut the butter into teeny tiny pieces and mix it with the breadcrumbs. I just used a fork and then my fingers to blend it together. Sprinkle on top and then pop in the oven for about 20 minutes! The top will be cripsy and golden and the cheese will bubble up when it's done! Garnish with the remaining parsley before serving!


Happy Valentine's Day!