OMG CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES

Alright people. I got something to tell ya. THIS girl is running the mini marathon! I know what you might be thinking, "yea yea I know tons of people who run the mini every year". But for me, it's a pretty big deal!

Being an athlete since I was a wee little tike, I was always "in shape" but i was never "a runner".. Chris hates when people say that :] but it's true. I never ran more than a mile at a time.. ever. That is, until I went through Bridging the Wellness Gap last year.  In the beginning, the running workouts were my LEAST favorite out of everything in the program. But by the time that it was over, running was one of my favorite things about it! Once I learned how to make the connection, or "Bridge the Gap" if you will, with my spirit, mind & body, another thing I learned through BTWG, running had a whole new purpose! Now, don't get me wrong, it does suck sometimes, and there are alot of days where it's the very last thing that I want to do, but the feeling I get once my run is over makes it all worth it.  Euphoria, accomplished, proud of myself, unstoppable, happy, strong, humbled... just to name a few.

So anyway, back to the mini, I decided that I wanted to run a half marathon to prove to myself that I could do it. Being a weenie and not wanting to do it alone, I knew my sister in law would totally be up for the challenge. She is flying in from Georgia to run it with me! Having someone to keep you accountable, even if its from a few states away, helps more than you can imagine. We talk and text daily about our diet, our workouts, and our daily struggles or accomplishments. I recommend everyone finds an accountability partner, and I am so blessed to have mine be my sister-in-law!

This picture was taken last year at race that we did at a winery, we ran the 5 mile and our moms walked the 5k. We had a blast! 

I have been training like crazy for this race and I am determined to run the entire 13.1 miles. With hard training comes big eating. duh. I am always starving after my long runs, and that's where these pancakes come in. These pancakes. OMG. That's literally all I can say. OMG OMG OMG. My new favorite meal. Ever. OMG. [drool...going to make some more of them right now].

These pancakes are so good that I made them for Kyle and he had no idea that they weren't made from boxed pancake batter! Last weekend he said "I cant believe you're eating pancakes for breakfast". LITTLE DID HE KNOW THEYRE HEALTHY HAHAHAHAHAHAHA GOTCHA!

I came across this recipe at this blog: http://www.spoonfuloffit.com and decided to try it. I made some substitutions like using almond flour instead of oat flour and honey instead of stevia, but they turned out AMAZING. OMG. I have made these a few different ways. The first ingredient calls for a scoop of protein powder. I have both chocolate and vanilla flavored, so I just decide which one I'm in the mood for that day. If I am having a chocolate day, I like to add some almond butter to the batter or spread almond butter on top of the pancake. If I am having a vanilla day, I make this:

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop protein powder (I have Sunwarrior Vanilla, it's a raw plant based protein powder)
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 2 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon non-fat greek yogurt (I just used Fage)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon honey
• pinch of salt
• maple syrup 

1. In a mixing bowl combine protein powder, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon & salt
2. add in egg whites, greek yogurt, almond milk, honey, and then fold in raisins
3. mix until pancake-like consistency
4. Bring the skillet to medium heat, and add spoonfuls of batter to form a pancake
5. Cook until you have used all of the batter 
6. top with maple syrup and EAT EAT EAT

This made about 3 nice sized fluffy pancakes, enough for one person. When I'm cooking for kyle and I, I just double the recipe. Like I said, I have switched it up based on what flavor protein powder  that I use, so try some new concoctions and see how it turns out! And if you come up with something yummy then make sure to share it with me. Because I love yummy food. duh. :] 

I will rave about these pancakes forever because they're that amazing. You need to try them. PLEASE try them. I'm pretty much begging you. But it's your own loss if you dont :]

OMG. PANCAKES.  

Sweet Potato Tacos

So I'm not going to lie. I've been stuck in a winter funk for the past 3 months which is why I have kind of been MIA from my blog. I was doing everything in my power to get out of it but the gloomy weather and mood just sucked me in. I didn't feel like cooking or cleaning, I came home and slept everyday after work and I was basically a lazy slob with a bad diet and a messy house (YIKES). When my grandma passed away about a month and a half ago that was just the "icing on the cake", if you will. I was just sad all day, everyday, and couldn't seem to bring myself out of it. All I wanted to do was sleep.

Well ladies and gents, I am ECSTATIC to say that I've beaten the funk. How you ask? Prayer. Lots and Lots of prayer & meditation! Yea folks, it really works. One of my favorite songs that has helped is Jeremy Camp's "Walk by Faith", because it couldn't have been more true for my life the last few months. While I still miss my grandma like crazy, I am at ease knowing that she is with the Lord and with my grandpa once again. I have started running again (training for the mini marathon!) and I have been cooking & so much more and coming up with some yummy recipes which I will be sharing with you all. OH and my house has been spotless too just incase I grossed you out about living in filth (although I wasn't really, my fabulous fiance took care of everything when I wasn't feeling up to it!).

I am also SO excited for the new class of Bridging the Wellness Gap. This past weeked was the initial testing and I am so hopeful for what the future holds for these recruits. AMAZING THINGS ARE IN STORE! If you don't know what I'm talking about you can visit the website http://bridgingthewellnessgap.wordpress.com/ .

Anyway, let's cut to the chase. This is my new favorite way to eat tacos. Period. I am not taking ANY credit for this recipe, though. I got the idea from Stacy at my gym, Circle City Strength and Conditioning, who told me that she makes a sweet potato taco packet with black beans and other ingredients. But I was extremely intrigued by her idea of having sweet potato and tacos on the same plate, so I tried it.

If you haven't discovered the beauty of a sweet potato, you are seriously missing out. Most people only know sweet potatoes as a side to Thanksgiving dinner, smothered in butter and brown sugar. Well my friends, these little gems can do SO MUCH MORE than that. If you're curious you can google other recipes or you can stay tuned for upcoming blog posts :]

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium sweet potato per mouth you are feeding
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 small-medium sized onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• taco seasoning (My fav is Trader Joe's brand)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (you can get the one with green chiles for an extra kick if you like)
• 1 tbsp sour cream (if you go for that)

1. Cook your sweet potato. How you do this is up to you. I think that the easiest way is to pierce it a few times with a fork, wrap it in a damp paper towel and put it in the microwave for 6-7 minutes. You could also bake it in the oven, but this takes about 45 min-1 hour.
2. Heat some olive oil in a skillet on medium and throw in the diced onion, garlic and peppers and cook until onions are translucent. Add your ground beef/turkey and cook through.
3. Add diced tomatoes & taco seasoning and let cook together for about 10-15 minutes.
4. When sweet potato is done cooking, slice it open on your plate and mash it up.
5. Pour taco meat mixture over the top of the sweet potato, top with a dollop of sour cream & EAT YOUR HEART OUT

I apologize that I do not have a picture of this, but It was one of those meals that after I was done inhaling it that I decided to put on on my blog. I hope you enjoy!!

Crockpot Peppered Pork Steak

I apologize its been so long since my last post! Things have been pretty crazy around here! For starters, IM ENGAGED! Kyle proposed on Christmas Eve and I couldn't be happier. I've already begun wedding planning and settled on September 21 of this year... There is so much to do! So I am going to do my best to keep updating recipes and posts amongst the craziness.

Also, the 2013 class of Bridging the Wellness Gap is getting ready to start, which Is SO EXCITING! The program did amazing things for me and changed my life in so many ways. I am now honored to say that I'm coming back for this class as a wellness coach! So there will be plenty more Interesting blog posts once that get underway. But for now, lets stick to why you're really here. To see the recipe for the most tender, mouth watering pork steak I've ever made. FYI: I'm typing This blog post from my phone so I apologize if the quality is poor!

Ingredients:
-4 bone-in pork steaks (or however many mouths you're feeding)
-1 large onion, cut into slices
-2 bell peppers, cut into strips. any color, i used green and orange because that's what I had on hand
-Minced garlic (I buy the jar packed in olive oil)
-1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, undrained
-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
-3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (not completely paleo but..whatever)
-salt & pepper, garlic and herb spice mixture (optional)

1. Slice your onions and peppers and layer them in the bottom of the crockpot
2. Trim the fat and then brown all of your pork steaks in a skillet. This really doesn't take long, and it gives your pork steak better flavor.
3. Once browned, lay them on top of the peppers and onions in the crockpot
4. Pour can of diced tomatoes over the top of the steaks
5. Top each steak with a little bit of minced garlic
6. Add Worcestershire and cider vinegar to the pot, Then add seasonings of your choice. I used salt, pepper, and a little bit of a garlic and herb spice
7. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. The meat gets so tender it literally falls off of the bone.
8. Top with onion and pepper mixture and eat your little heart out.

Sorry folks, no picture. It was one of those meals that I wolfed down in no time and then thought to myself "maybe I should blog that". But trust me, it got two thumbs up from all four of the people at my dinner table tonight, so you should make this recipe. What do you have to lose? :)