Happy Monday!

How was your weekend friends? Mine was absolutely inspiring. I found out late on Friday that I would have the opportunity to attend a YogaFit Level 3 certification this weekend.



The Level 3 training focuses on introspection and understanding your personality as an instructor. It also dives deeper into the power of meditation, breathing, emotional intelligence and positive thought. I know this weekend helped me grown as a yoga instructor and as a student.

Speaking of yoga, I have raved about how much I love Tara Stiles new book Slim, Calm, Sexy Yoga, and I recently came across an article discussing all of the controversy it has caused in the yoga world. Check it out here. This is what one of her critics had to say:

"Don't even try to sell me on the 'yoga for the masses' excuse; it's pathetic, and, frankly, she should be ashamed for allowing herself to be talked into shilling for this trash. That is, if any convincing was really necessary--somehow I doubt it. But if asked about it, I am sure we would hear the typical higher-lighter-brighter-peace-love-dove-I'm-just-bringing-yoga-to-the-people" talk."

I was frankly pretty shocked when I read this. I know Tara's style of yoga is very "westernized" (whatever that means), but the above seems a little harsh. I love yoga and have seen the benefits first hand not only in myself but in my friends, colleagues and students as well. I believe yoga can and should be for everyone, and just like we all have different preferences when it comes to the clothes we wear and the food we eat, we can all have different preferences when it comes to the yoga we practice. Some people like the chanting, incense and Sanskrit terms that make up what we consider "traditional" yoga, and some people just don't. Just because you do yoga to music with words, don't really like to chant, and call things by their English translation, doesn't make it any less yoga.

To me yoga is about connecting with your body, letting go of stress, building strength, increasing your energy, and improving your overall health. Whether you practice yoga in your living room with a Jillian Michael's DVD or in a temple in India with a 80 year old yoga guru, if it works for you I'm all about it. Yoga is a very individual and personal thing, and no one has the right to tell someone elsenthat their yoga is wrong or not "real" yoga.

Ok.... I'm going to hop on down off of my soap box now. Sorry for the little rant, but that really sparked something inside of me, especially after such an amazing and touching yoga filled weekend. What do you think about the article?

Anyways, after I got home from day two of the certification, I was pooped and starving so I whipped up a veggie pizza. It hit the spot quite nicely, and I was left with plenty for lunch for the next couple of days! :)


I hope you all have a wonderful day, and if you feel stress or worry start to creep into your mind, just remember to breathe!

Q's and A's:
Do you think there is one type of yoga that is "real" yoga?
Have you read Tara Stile's new book? What did you think?
How was your weekend?


In health,

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Happy Friday Everyone!!

I have bulldog puppy fever big time! The day I finally get a puppy you better be ready for puppy pictures to take over this blog. Just kidding, but I really do want a bulldog puppy! :)

I love Fridays, especially when I am off work. (Who wouldn't love that?) This morning, I woke up went for a quick run and then headed out to teach a strength training class. This is another reason I love Fridays - I absolutely love my Friday strength class. Those ladies and gentlemen are amazing!

When I got home from teaching, I made a quick egg white sandwich with a side of sliced apple and peanut butter Greek yogurt dip. Yum Yum! Then it was time to fire up the oven!

In honor of National Oatmeal Month, I made some delicious stuffed oatmeal cookies. This recipe is adapted from Jenna's recipe over at Eat Live Run. I was craving traditional oatmeal raisin cookies with a splash of Craisins, however I knew chocolate needed to be involved for Eric to eat them. Since I didn't have any chocolate chips on hand, and going to the grocery store usually results in me spending way too much money, I decided to get creative. Hmmmm what could I use? I know, Snickers!


Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar blend
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp. Smart Balance (you could substitute margarine or butter here)
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup Craisins
1 chopped up Snickers (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Stir together all dry ingredients, minus the raisins, Craisins and Snickers.


3. Stir in all wet ingredients.


4. From here, I divided the dough in half so I could make half with Snickers and half with Raisins and Craisins. If you are just going with one version, you can skip this step and simply stir in whatever mix-ins you are using (chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts, candy, etc.)



5. Using a tablespoon, scoop dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and Enjoy!


Since Eric is at work, I HAD  to test out the Snickers cookies before I told you to make them. They were pretty much amazing! I mean what doesn't taste good with Snickers in it? The Raisin/Craisins cookies were delicious as well. If you are a fan of peanut butter oatmeal cookies, check out this recipe I made a few weeks ago.

It is an absolutely beautiful 70 degrees and sunny outside so I am thinking a walk is in order. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Q's and A's:
What are you doing this weekend?
What's your favorite candy to add to your baking?
Does anyone have a bulldog puppy they need a baby sitter for?

In health,

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Good Morning Friends!

How are you this lovely morning? I have good news, I survived the dentist! It was only slightly awful. ;) I'm such a baby!

I had a date with this guy this morning:

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a treadmill near by, especially in this bone chilling weather we've been experiencing lately. (Again, I'm just a baby, it's probably not THAT cold to most people.) My running workouts have been feeling a little ho-hum lately. I usually hop on the treadmill or head outside and run at my comfy pace for however many miles my training plan calls for. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this, but I know I am not getting the most out of my training (example A: I ran 6 miles on Tuesday without my heart rate getting over 155bpm).

We all know that to increase your speed, you need to incorporate speed work into your training, so that is precisely what I did this morning. Surprisingly, I really really like it. My five mile run flew by in no time. The only negative was that I had to pay attention during my run and couldn't tune out (this is usually my time to de-stress and give my brain a break). Check out this morning's workout: (You can click on the picture to enlarge it.)


I added an extra 10 minute power walk to the end of this workout so I could finish watching Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. It was a very challenging but fun workout! My Garmin was a fan for sure. Since I was on the treadmill the distance reads 0.00 because it could not pick up a satellite signal, but my heart rate monitor still worked!



Try This Thursday Quick Tip: Before you head out for a run (or walk to your apartment complex gym), throw your clothes in the dryer to warm them up. This way when you start your workout, your clothes will keep you warm until your body temperature rises. I have heard this tip before, but haven't done it in ages. I tried it this morning and it was Heaven!

Product Review

I received a product to review from NaturalSkinShop.com through a promotion on SheBlogs.org. They very graciously sent me a Glycolic Peel set. The set included a daily exfoliator, glycolic peel, and a hyaluronic moisturizer. According to the directions, you are suppose to use the exfoliator for a few days before you try out the peel to make sure you don't have an adverse reactions. I have been using the exfoliator for about 1 1/2 weeks and I absolutely love it. My skin feels smoother and looks more even. I have also seen a little reduction in the appearance of my lovely laugh lines. Overall, my skin looks much much healthier! I am hoping to do the full peel this weekend (it takes a little preparation so I need to set aside some time), and I will let you know how it goes. Thank you again to the folks over at NaturalSkinShop.com for the great products!

Although I was given the products, I was in no way compensated for my review. The thoughts and opinions are all my own.

I hope you have a great day!

Q's & A's:
Do you incorporate speed work into your training?
Have you ever tried putting your clothes in the dryer before heading out for a run?
What would be your #1 tip for staying warm during cold weather workouts?

In health,

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Good Morning All!

How is your Wednesday treating you so far? Mine has started out pretty nicely. I just finished a 4 mile run and then ate some egg whites and a banana. Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? I learned this yesterday and thought you all should know. Since oatmeal is my all-time favorite breakfast food, I am definitely a fan of giving it it's own month!

Yesterday afternoon, I did a 6 mile run on the treadmill at the gym. I always feel like my brain works better while running. I often come up with some of my best ideas mid-run.

Things I learned (or was reminded of) during my 6 mile run:

1. Even though you feel like you're working 10xs harder when your running on the treadmill versus outside, physically you're really not. While running, I looked down at my heart rate monitor and realized I was running at a 9:13 per mile pace and my heart rate was hovering around 147 bpm. I thought to myself, "I have to be working harder than that!" To up my intensity, I added a little bit of an incline to make up for the fact that there is not any wind inside and the terrain stays the same throughout the entire run.
2. The calorie counter on the treadmill is WAY off! I've known this forever, but got a nice reminder yesterday. At the end of my run, the treadmill said I burned 740 calories, but my heart rate monitor said I burned 610 calories. It was off by 130 calories! Disclaimer: I used the quick start button so the treadmill did not know my weight which can throw things off. For more information on how cardio machines lie to you, check out this post.
3. If you don't have a buddy to run with, you can create one yourself. I love going for runs with friends. It just makes everything feel easier and the whole experience more fun! Since I was all by my lonesome yesterday, I decided to create a running buddy by listening to a podcast. At first, I didn't think I would like listening to people talk while running (I usually prefer jamming out to Black Eyed Peas), but it made the time fly by like crazy. I listened to the podcast I talked about on Monday, Marathon Training Academy. It probably helped that the topic of the day was inspiring running stories. How am I going to slow down when the voice in my ear is telling me a story about an 85 year old man who ran 2 marathons last year? Crazy!

It was a pretty fun run! I am off now to face one of my biggest fears - THE DENTIST! I absolutely hate going to the dentist. When I was younger, the gritty stuff they always put on your teeth would make me throw up. Not a pretty picture. I am so NOT excited about this! Ok, I'm going to stop whining now and suck it up.


I hope you have a fabulous day, and I will see you back here tomorrow for Try This Thursday. Don't forget to "LIKE" the Fun, Fit and Fabulous official facebook page so you can stay up-to-date on all the fun stuff happening here. :)

Crazy Fact I learned from the news this morning: Taco Bell's beef mixture is really only 40% beef. Ummm what is the other 60% made of? Yuck!! I can't remember the last time I ate Taco Bell, but that is definitely not helping their case with me!

Q's and A's:
Do you ever feel like your brain works better while working out?
How do you feel about the dentist?
What are you scared of?

In health,

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Howdy!!

How are you today?

Yesterday evening, we had a big event at work, so I felt like I was running around like a crazy person most of the day. Everyone in my office makes fun of me for power walking from place to place. I have always been a fast walker. Even if I have absolutely no where to be, I still walk like I'm in a hurry. I blame my dad. :) He walks ridiculously fast, so when I was little I had to learn how to keep up. I don't think blame is really the right word, I quite like my brisk pace.

My motto is, "Why walk slow when you can walk fast?"

My workouts yesterday consisted of teaching water aerobics (not quite a workout), yoga, and a step & sculpt class. Breakfast and dinner both featured eggs, and lunch was a veggie wrap. Very uninspiring.

As most of you know, Runners World is pretty much my handbook for life. If Runners World says it's so, it must be so! I was recently perusing their website, when I came across two very handy little tools that I have used multiple times.

The first one, I use anytime I go for a run outdoors (especially these days when it feels like the arctic outside). This handy little tools helps you decide what attire will keep you the most comfortable during your run. You simply input the temperature, wind speed, conditions (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.), and how you like to feel when you run (cool, warm, somewhere in between) and voila it tells you precisely what to wear! Check it out here.

How cool is that?

The second tool that has been super helpful during my training is the "Where Does It Hurt" tool. You simply click on the picture where you are experiencing pain, and it helps you identify the possible culprit. Although this should never take the place of your doctor, it can definitely be a great place to start! Check it out here.


There is even an iPhone App for the first tool. Technology these days! I hope everyone has a Terrific Tuesday! :)

Q's and A's:
Are you a power walker or a stroller?
Have you ever used either one of these handy little tools?
Do you have little mottos or sayings you use all the time? My other favorite saying is "Sweat is Beautiful!" Don't you think so?

In health,

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Happy Monday!

How was everyone's weekend? Did you do anything extra fun? My weekend was jam packed from Friday morning until Sunday evening, but it was great!!

On Friday, I drove down to College Station to attend a Yoga Workshop at Texas A&M. Julz Arney (who I talked about on Friday) taught an amazing power yoga class using all acoustic music. It was so cool!! I am definitely going to have to try this with my yoga class! I usually use instrumental music in my yoga class, so I am a little nervous about what my students would thing about the acoustic music. What do you think?

I hate driving by myself (especially for 3+ hours), so I decided to try downloading a couple of podcasts to keep my occupied during my drive. This was the best idea I have had in a long time!! The drive seriously flew by, and I learned a lot along on the way. I downloaded a couple of different podcasts, but two were by far my favorites.

Nutrition Diva: Quick and Dirty Tips For Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous - From their site: "Nutrition Diva host Monica Reinagel is a board-certified Licensed Nutritionist and a professionally-trained chef. She has authored three books on health and nutrition, developed recipes and diet plans for websites and other publications, and currently works as blogger-in-chief and nutrition guru for NutritionData.com." Monica shares her best nutrition tips and health secrets!
Marathon Training Academy: Inspiring you to run a marathon and change your life - I absolutely loved this podcast! It is done by a husband and wife pair. The wife, Angie, is a marathon machine, but the husband, Trevor, is just starting to find his running stride. They offer sound down-to-earth advice on running, nutrition, sticking to your goals, and living your healthiest life! From their website: "Mission Statement: Marathon Training Academy exists to inspire and empower everyday people to live healthier lives, achieve fitness goals, and reach new milestones by tapping into their marathon potential."

On Saturday, I went to lunch with my family and stopped by for a quick visit with my grandparents before heading back to Dallas while enjoying more podcasts! In the evening, we hung out with a lot of Eric's work friends. I went to bed WAY past my bedtime and paid for in Sunday morning. I usually wake up on Sundays excited for my long run, but not today. Luckily, this was a little bit of a rest week so I was only scheduled to run 5 miles.

After my run, I grabbed some lunch and headed to meet my friend Mallory for a movie. We saw No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. It was really funny, but definitely a chick flick!


I would definitely recommend it! Today, is going to be busy busy, so I am off to work. I hope you all have a fantastic day!


Q's & A's:
Do you think you would enjoy a yoga class set to all accustic music?
Do you find music with words distracting during a yoga class?
What did you do this weekend?
If you listen to podcasts, which are some of your favorites?

In health,

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Happy Friday!

This is going to be a super short post because I am headed to College Station right after my morning strength training class to attend a yoga workshop by one of my favorite presenters - Julz Arney!



Isn't that a cool picture? I took a yoga class from Julz about a year ago, and it was absolutely amazing! I am also beyond excited to get to see all my old friends from Texas A&M. I miss all of those beautiful girls so much!


This was at the Gay Gasper workshop last year! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to take classes and learn from some of the most knowledgeable presenters in the fitness industry!

Just because I am running around like a crazy person, doesn't mean you should suffer! I have an awesome yoga video I want to share with you from Runners World. Try this 10 minute yoga series that will strengthen key muscles to improve your running.




Looking for a good weekend read?  Check out these:

Why Running Is Good For You

Food Is Not A Reward For Exercise

Flaxseed Benefits: Eat This Superfood To Improve your Daily Diet (We all know we should be eating this superfood, but this article tells you exactly why. It is super interesting, I promise!)

Flat Abs Made Easy

I hope everyone has an absolutely wonderful weekend!

Q's and A's:
What are you doing this weekend?
Is that little puppy not too cute?
What is your go to website for health and fitness information? I obviously love Women's Health, Runners World, and Shape.com!

In health,

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Howdy!!

I hope everyone is having a good Thursday! For this addition of Try This Thursday, I have a few different things I want to share!

First, I have to tell you about a new body wash I am 110% obsessed with thanks to my friend Jenny. It is an aromatherapy body wash made by Bath and Body Works called Stress Relief. The delicious blend of eucalyptus and spearmint just wash your worries right down the drain!

Having good music on my ipod always makes my runs feel easier and more fun, however I never seem to know what to download. I listen to country music on the radio, but that is not exactly running music. I found a section on Shape.com that has pre-made playlists based on what kind of workout you are doing. If you need new tunes for your next workout, check out these suggestions.


I love the long, lean muscles you can achieve through pilates, but I don't always have time to make it to an entire pilates class. You can still get the muscle sculpting benefits of pilates by adding these four exercises into your next strength routine.


Leg Pull Front: This is one of my favorite pilates moves because it is really works your entire body in just one move! How To: Sit with legs extended, hands on floor, fingers pointing toward body. Lift hips off floor to bring body into a straight line. Raise left leg as high as you can without shifting hips. Hold for 3 seconds, then slowly lower leg to floor. Alternate sides. [source]


Plie Side Leg Lift: Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and extend arms out to sides. Turn feet out 45 degrees and bend knees 90 degrees into a plie (not shown). Straighten right leg while lifting left leg out to side. Lower back to plie position and repeat on opposite side. Continue alternating 8 times on each leg, inhaling as you bend your knees and exhaling as you extend. [source]


Fancy Footwork: Lie face up, arms by your sides, palms facing down. Bend your knees and place the balls of your feet on top of the ball, heels together and toes pointing slightly outward in a small V shape. Engage your core and contract your glutes to lift your hips an inch off the floor, then roll the ball away from you until your heels are on the ball. Pause, then bend your knees to roll the ball back to the starting position. That's one rep. Complete 8-10 Reps. [source] Your glutes and hamstrings will be talking to you after this exercise! :)

Mermaid with a Twist:  Sit on your left hip with your left leg flat on the floor, knee bent 90 degrees, and your left palm on the floor. Bend your right knee toward the ceiling and place your right foot flat on the floor in front of your left foot; rest your right arm on your right knee. Shift your weight onto your left arm and straighten both legs to raise your hips toward the ceiling while extending your right arm directly over your head. From this position, twist your torso down and to the left, reaching your right arm underneath your body. Reverse the movement to return to the starting position. That's one rep. Finish all reps on that side, then switch sides and rep. [source] This is probably one of my favorite ab moves of all time!

I hope you enjoy these exercises and you should definitely look into that body wash if you need a little more Zen in your life! Have a wonderful Thursday!

Q's and A's:
What is on your ipod right now?
Do you have a bath product you just can't live without?
Have you ever taken a pilates class? If so, what did you think?

In health,

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Happy Hump Day!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and encouraging words regarding my yoga studio dream! Starting this blog and reading other blogs have really motivated me to pursue this dream even more! :) I am still always shocked at how many people care about what I have to say here and the amazing feedback I receive via comments and e-mails. I really can't express how much I appreciate all of your support!

Yesterday, was my first day back to class. I like school, but having all of your classes from 6:30-9:30 at night gets draining pretty quickly. I know as grad students we should be able to handle it, but that is dangerously close to my bedtime. I was pretty wiped after yesterday, so when my alarm went off at 6:45am, I didn't exactly spring out of bed. ;) I did manage to get a 5 mile run in on the treadmill and get back to the house to make breakfast by 9am. Not too terrible! I was really craving something warm for breakfast today. Egg whites, a banana and a glass of almond milk did the trick!

A little coffee was definitely in order this morning! MMMMM!


Lately, the rising prices and falling selection of produce has me down the dumps! I haven't been able to find Granny Smith Apples at my local grocery store in over 2 weeks. I know there are a lot of fresh fruit and veggies that are in season this time of year, but there are a lot that are not. Something about shriveled strawberries, brown green beans, and MIA Granny Smiths makes my heart heart. So when I was flipping through the February (isn't it still January?) issue of Runner's World, and found an article pertaining to the best frozen fruits and veggies, I just had to share!

When choosing frozen produce make sure you stay away from products with added sweeteners or sauces, which add fat, sugar, and sodium. Also, watch out for bags with big chunks of ice, which often indicates they've thawed and been refrozen.


Runners World's Top Picks For The Freezer Aisle:

• Artichoke Hearts- They have a mildly sweet flavor and provide six grams of fiber per 1/2 cup.
• Blackberries- Did you know that blackberries have twice as much antioxidant power (including anthocyanins) as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries? They contain 8 grams of fiber and are packed with manganese, which is needed for strong bones and healthy muscle connective tissue.
• Brussels Sprouts- These little puppies are full of folate, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium (this is especially important for runners as it works to maintain fluid balance in the body and proper muscle contraction).
• Lima Beans- These beans are rich in fiber, potassium, and iron, as well as provide 12 grams of protein per cup.
• Mango Slices- The best thing about frozen mango is that it is already chopped up. Mangoes are impossible to cut! They also contain large amounts of vitamin C and vitamin B6 which your body needs to make hemoglobin.
• Peach Slices- Ten slices of frozen peach have double your daily quota of vitamin C.
• Spinach- Since frozen spinach is denser than its fresh counterpart, it contains more vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate.
• Winter Squash- This type of squash is chalk full of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential in boosting the immune system and fighting of nasty cold and flue viruses.

For more information on how to cook with these frozen wonders, check out the entire article here. It's time for me to go pack my lunch and dinner (I have another late class tonight), and head off to work! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Q's and A's
What is your favorite product from the frozen food section? I can't live without frozen blueberries for my oatmeal!
Do you usually pack your lunch, or go out for lunch?

In health,

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Howdy!

How are you this morning? I hope everyone had a Marvelous Monday and is ready for a Terrific Tuesday!

Yesterday was pretty low-key for me. My IT band was a little tight from my 8 mile run on Sunday, so I stretched it out with a nice yoga class at noon. In the afternoon, I taught a strength training class and loved every minute of it. It was so nice to get back in the groove of teaching! In between yoga and pump, I finished some work in the office.

When I got home from work, I put on my Betty Crocker Apron and made cupcakes for my boss' birthday. These fall under the Fabulous, not Fit, category! :)

For everyone who is following the 21 day challenge, how is it going? If you haven't tried out any of the videos yet, I would highly recommend this one. This 28 minute series focuses on opening up the hips and leaves your entire lower body feeling fabulous!



Lately, I have been day dreaming more and more about one day (probably in the very very distant future) opening my very own yoga studio. I would love to have a little place of my own to share my passion for fitness, yoga, and healthy eating with others. I want it to be a place where women can come not only to take classes, but to explore other aspects of health and wellness as well.

My dream yoga studio would include:

• A temperature controlled yoga studio so I can offer hot and regular yoga classes.
• A kitchen so we can hold healthy cooking seminars and make healthy snacks to share in the studio.
• A separate studio for cardio and strength classes.
• The ability to hold kids classes so we can share the benefits of exercise with our kids.
• A location close to running and walking trails so we can go on group runs and hold training programs such as marathon or half marathon training.
• Close to a park would be nice as well so we can do yoga outdoors when the weather is nice!
• A relaxing and inviting lounge where participants can enjoy each others company before and after class.
• A small pool so we can offer outdoor water aerobics classes in the summer.
• I would love for it to be in one of those older restored houses. This idea is thanks to my friend Mal, who is going to help me make this dream come true!
• Overall, I want the studio to be somewhere people will come to enjoy themselves and accomplish their health and fitness goals in a friendly and motivating environment.

I have always thought this would be a fun thing to do one day, but lately I just can't get it off my mind, so I wanted to share my dreams with you. I guess if I'm going to dream, I should dream big! :)


One day when I grow up, I will have my own yoga studio! I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Q's and A's
What do you want to be/do when you grow up?
Do you have a dream business you would like to own?
Can you think of anything else my yoga studio needs? I'm open for any new ideas!

In health,

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Happy Monday!

How was everyone's weekend?? Mine was pretty laid back but really fun!

On Saturday, I taught a yoga class in the morning then watched some Aggie basketball and NFL playoffs in the afternoon. I also made some of Averie's, at Love Veggies and Yoga, Raw Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! They were absolutely amazing and only took about five minutes to make. You don't even have to turn the oven on for these babies!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole oats (uncooked)
5-6 pitted majool dates
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp. natural peanut butter (This is optional. Averie's original recipe did not call for peanut butter, but I love peanut butter in everything!)

Directions:
1. Place oats in food processor and pulse for a few seconds, then add in majool dates and pulse again.


After the dates are nice an chopped up, throw all of the remaining ingredients into the food processor.


Pulse until it forms a nice dough. It might take a few minutes so be patient. It should look something like this:


Dump dough out into a bowl, and then form little cookies. I ended up with with 11, but you can make them as big or small as you'd like. If you have any leftovers, place them in a sealed tupperware.


I have to warn you, these are super addicting. They kind of taste like a mixture of an oatmeal cookie and the most delicious granola bar you have ever had. They taste a little bit like a Larabar. They are great for snacks or dessert. I would highly highly recommend them, or any of Averie's other recipes for that matter!

After I finished licking my fingers from the cookies, Eric and I headed to dinner at The Magic Time Machine! This is a really fun restaurant that is decorated like scenes from various children's movies. I think Eric and I might have been the only people there without kids. :) Oh well, it was really fun!


We sat in the Nightmare Before Christmas section. I was really hoping to meet Cinderella, but it didn't happen. :( There were two little kids sitting at the table next to us, who had super long straws coming out of their drinks. Eric asked the waitress if he could have one of those straws (pointing to the kids). She said sure, and this is what happened.

Apparently, the "cool straws" Eric was talking about were really just a bunch of black straws stuck together. (You can see the little kid I was talking about in the background.) The waitress thought it would be funny to make our straws extra ridiculously long! They were so long, we had to drink out of a water pitcher placed across the walkway! It was pretty hilarious! Anytime someone walked by our table, they had to go underneath our straws.

After dinner, I needed to make a trip to the restroom before we headed home. I walked around for a little while, and then asked Pocahontas for directions to the restroom. She said she would be happy to show me where it was. She started to lead me to the restroom, then began yelling at the top of her lungs, "CODE YELLOW, CODE YELLOW, THIS GIRL HAS TO PEE, YOU BETTER COVER YOUR WATER GLASSES OR SHE WILL REFILL THEM FOR YOU!" I must have turned 5 different shades of red all at once. I was so shocked when she started yelling, it took me a while to start moving. Everyone around me started giggling, and I just tried to get to the restroom as quickly as possible. Eric couldn't stop laughing at me.

Qs and As:
Did you have a nice weekend?
What is your favorite type of cookie?
Have you ever been to a Magic Time Machine restaurant? If you go, don't ask where the bathroom is!

In health,

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