The Color Run

The first time I found out about the Color Run I just knew I had to do it. The Color Run is a 5k (around 3 miles) in which different colors are thrown on you throughout the run. A white shirt is absolutely required!! A different color is chunked at you at each kilometer. 1k is yellow, 2k is blue, 3k is green, 4k is pink, and 5k is the color extravaganza! The colors are made, according the Color Run website, from an"elf made" secret recipe of magical color dust. Hmmmm... sounds pretty awesome to me!!!

Being a cross country runner all throughout high school and having completed my fair share of half marathons, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to one day become a color runner! After looking at the list of cities I practically screamed with happiness when I saw that Birmingham was on the list!!! I was even more excited when I realized it was on Labor Day. Sooner than I thought I would be able to do it! AND I'm not missing a football game OR class. Roll Tide.

The "happiest 5k" looks like an explosion of fun and I can't wait to do it! I've got my white shorts and shirt - I am ready to run. Only 100 days to go until I am covered in color!!

Have a colorful day!! :)

Guacamole Hummus

Guacamole and hummus - two of my favorite things. Avocado frequently makes an appearance in my meals. Whether it is on sandwiches, in salads, or even eaten whole I absolutely cannot get enough avocado. Garbanzo beans, the staple bean in hummus, is something I don't use as frequently. I typically buy hummus from the store but when I saw this curious recipe, I wanted to give it a try. I found the recipe a few weeks ago and when I woke up feeling fiesta-like this morning I decided to finally try it out. This totally vegan recipe is super easy and didn't cost me more than $7! That's a pretty sweet deal seeing as hummus alone is typically between $5-8.

Ingredients:
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
3 cups fresh cilantro leaves
1 ripe avocado, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and group pepper

Directions:
1. Combine chickpeas, cilantro leaves, and avocado in a food processor. I have a small food grinder and a large blender. I used the blender. It wasn't exactly ideal, but it eventually got the job done.
2. Process the ingredients until finely copped.
3. With machine running, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream.
4. Add the lemon juice.
5. Add water - 1 tablespoon at a time - until the mixture is smooth. After the lemon juice, I didn't add any water. The mixture seemed smooth enough.
6. Season with salt and pepper as needed and serve with lemon wedges and tortilla chips!

The original recipe contained garlic, I'm not much of a fan so I didn't add that into my guacamole hummus. 

Frozen Bananas

My sweet tooth got the best of me yesterday. I keep seeing recipes for frozen fruit and I just had to try one out. Of course, Nutella is involved. No surprise there though. This isn't much of a recipe as it is an idea. I found it on Pinterest (typical) and it is easy as pie (easier even). These are frozen bananas with Nutella and assorted toppings. Yummmm :)

Step 1: Purchase bananas, Nutella, and any toppings you want. I used Butterfingers, Oreos, vanilla wafers, and shredded coconut. Anything could work!
Step 2: Cut bananas into fourths and insert popsicle sticks into the center - I used small stirring straws. The straws seemed like a good idea but were too flexible when it came to eating the bananas. For next time I will probably use something more sturdy. Once the bananas are cut, place them onto a flat surface.

Step 3: Allow bananas to freeze - I let mine sit overnight.

Step 4: Dip bananas into melted Nutella and roll into toppings. To melt the Nutella, I put a spoonful into a bowl, microwaved for 30 seconds, and stirred. The Nutella packaging says not to microwave but I didn't have any major problems. The only problem I did have was with clumping, so microwave a little at a time and this is prevented! For the Oreos, Butterfingers, and vanilla wafers I put them into a food grinder for a few seconds before rolling the bananas into them. The coconut was already shredded. 

Step 5: Freeze for another hour and a half and enjoy!

I immediately tried one of each flavor and absolutely adored them!!! My favorite was the Butterfinger and a close second was the coconut. It is perfect for a hot day like today and I expect they will be gone before I have a chance to enjoy any more. Next I want to try this with strawberries!

Water Colors

I constantly have a glass of water in my hand, especially throughout the summertime. It isn't hard to tire of the same plain flavor of water. Beverages like sports drinks and sodas are full of calories and sugar. Many people make the mistake of choosing these drinks instead of water and end up consuming entirely too many calories than they should. Unlike sodas, water keeps you hydrated and is very refreshing no matter the circumstance! There are easy ways to make water more appealing. Two of my "go-tos" are adding fruit and the addition of flavoring powders.

Add a little color: water is absolutely divine with some fruit added into it. The fruit not only adds some color but also the mild flavor is a definite bonus!

Some of my favorite fruits to add into water are lemon, strawberry, lime, and cucumber.
Lemon water can even help stop bad breath!!

Add a little flavor: Many companies have come up with packets of powder that can be mixed into water to add some flavor. These are typically low in calories, sugar, and loaded with tastiness. 

My two favorites are Crystal Lite and Mio!

My sweet pup even knows to stay hydrated during this hot summer heat. Although, I wouldn't recommend the bird bath...

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Banana Bread

Happy Mother's Day!!

I woke up this morning and decided today was the day to begin my Pinterest baking adventure. Dark chocolate raspberry banana bread seemed like the ideal way to start such a thing. I'm a big fan of banana-nut bread so when I saw this recipe I just had to try it!

Seeing as it was Mother's Day, I was already a little inspired to do something special around the house. Being a broke college kid, I didn't exactly splurge on platinum jewelry for my mother, so I compensated by baking a nice loaf of breakfast bread! Don't worry though, she did get some PRETTY beautiful flowers. 

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup granulated white sugar

4 T unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 large eggs

1.5 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/3 cup plain low fat yogurt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips

1 cup halved rasberries, tossed in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the four, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a separate larger bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute).

4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Add the banana, yogurt, and vanilla - beat until well blended.

6. Stir in the flour mixture, just until moist. Don't over-mix.

7. Stir in the chocolate chunks and then gently stir in the raspberries.

8. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Remove and let cool.

I would definitely recommend trying this recipe! It made for a tasty breakfast, loved it. I can't wait to try this recipe with other fruits!

Not that a loaf of bread can reward my mother for all she has had to put up with, but I know she will enjoy it for a little while. I hope everyone made sure to do something special for their mothers!! 

Love you mommy! :)

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." - Unknown

summer to-do list

Now that it's summer, I can finally start on the things I didn't have time to do with a 17 hour course load!! Aside from the typical summer activities, I have a few things I am determined to do before the summer comes to an end. Without this fantastic list, I would probably spend most of my time Netflixing random television shows and accomplishing absolutely nothing!! Unfortunately, I have to take some classes this summer but I am dead set on having time to conquer this lovely list!

1. Actually cook some of the things I have found on pinterest. I find deserts, entrees, salads - pretty much anything, but I have yet to cook a single thing! Being a nutrition major that is a little embarrassing. I really should be cooking more. My mother even bought me an apron so I am geared up and ready to go!

2. WAKEBOARD. My friends at home are crazy about it, I even know people that wakeboard competitively. I am a little baby and have yet to gather the courage to try. I've never seen someone fall on their face, I just picture it happening to me.

I'll probably be pro: 

Just kidding, more like terrified:

3. Finish reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, so intense. I read the first book, have started that second, and can't wait to read the last one!

4. Get a little crafty. Again, pinterest has me motivated to do crazy things... and my apartment walls are so bare it makes me sad to look at them. I have all these awesome (ridiculous) ideas, so hopefully my walls won't be too white once I'm done! Some of these don't even look to hard, my walls WILL be beautiful :)

My balcony also needs a little help, I'm sure that won't be too difficult to spruce up!

"Sun is shining. Weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet." - Bob Marley

Blackberry Pickin' Y'all

Lately I have been taking my pup to the University of Alabama Arboretum. The Cross Country team does some of their races there, so that is how I found out about it. It has huge grassy areas, trails through the woods, and a little pond - perfect for my energetic animal!

It used to be an old golf course that is now just sort of turned into a dog park. When I walk around I will typically see between 5 and 10 other dogs frolicking around. At the pond there are always dogs swimming, fetching, and sprinting in circles.

The first time I went, I saw a bunch of wild blackberries along the paths. I immediately picked a handful and munched on them throughout the adventure.

Needless to say, I have been getting my fruit serving of the day! The berries were more fresh, juicier, and totally free! I'm excited to go back up to Tuscaloosa, bring a basket, and fill it up with blackberries.

It is quite a perfect summer activity :)