WIAW and Mother's Day Ideas

Ahhhh... is there anything better than a nice lukewarm shower after a long run? CL and I met up after I got off work at the B&A trail for a nice 4 mile interval session. It started raining on and off which felt amazing. I could live in this weather forever. I don't mind evening thunderstorms... as long as they don't interfere with my television!

love my CL <3

 Mother's Day is next Sunday, so I have been brainstorming things to do for the most important person in my life! I know sometimes she stops by my blog so here are MULTIPLE things you can buy/make for your momma bear! Gotta keep her on her toes!

Sending flowers are always a great way to show someone you care. Send them to her work and surprise her a few days early ;-) Shows you were thinking ahead of time!

Go to your local Paint Your Own Pottery store. Mom's love handmade gifts and usually are coffee/tea lovers. Give her something that will remind her of your love with each sip!

Make her a basket full of things she loves! My mom loves to garden. A planter filled with gloves, seeds, snacks, chocolate, tea and suntan lotion is a great gift! Does your mom love relaxation? How about filling a shower caddy with a monogrammed towel, face mask, chai tea, and nail polish (and a spa gift card if you are feeling extra nice!)

Whatever you do, your mom with love it. You could make her a homemade card and bring tears to her eyes! I already found the best recipe for a lemonade cake with blueberries I plan on making for her! YUM!

Breakfast

2 slices bacon, coffee and a banana

Lunch

Black bean cheese burger

A spinach, pecan and strawberry salad with homemade dressing:

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 tablespoon honey

fresh lemon zest

salt and pepper

Snack

Carrots and Guacamole

Dinner

Chicken and Steamed Brocolli

Dessert

Honey Greek Yogurt with Strawberry slices

Have a great night guys and start planning your mother's day gifts!

The Grown Up Easter Basket

you have never really lived, until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

Hi! I am in such a great mood today! It's my Friday at work, it's gorgeous outside and I just ate the best black bean burger combo I have ever made (no joke)!

When I first started this blog I had no idea I would have so much fun cooking and finding healthy recipes and running - I was NEVER a runner growing up. So I figured I would go back to my roots and try to incorporate more fun posts involving date ideas, fashion and things I love!

Easter baskets are not just for kids! I love finding reasons to do something special for CL, especially since he takes me out and spoils me often!

Here are a few of my basket stuffers: 

 chocolate

starbucks gift card

yellow button up or polo

mini white zinfandel wine bottles

The possibilities are endless - but this boy loves chocolate, coffee and wine. Plus, he looks mighty handsome in yellow which happens to be a fabulous Easter color. 

Peeps aren't just for eating anymore.

What a cute idea to use peeps and jellybeans to decorate your centerpiece. I think if I took these to my grandma's she would love it!

Make Easter Bunny Smore Jars to give to your cousins/friends.

Ingredients and Directions:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.

Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
(Makes 9 to 12 bars.)

Our First Easter

2008-2011 and still going strong! I can't wait to dye some Easter eggs tomorrow! Now in all seriousness I need your guys opinions. Tomorrow I am thinking of cutting my hair. I need all of your honest opinions.

Should I keep it long?

or cut it short?

I would really appreciate your guys feedback!!

xoxo,
Cara

Ka-Bob-Less

It's almost Friday!! Lately I have been contemplating doing my first vlog. Don't you ever wonder how your favorite blog authors sound? So I am asking all of you if you think a vlog is a good idea, and if so what would you like to know/see??

I love nights where I make veggie burgers because the next day I get to have the leftovers for lunch. And speaking of today's eats - for breakfast I had a big glorious bowl of my peanut butter puffins with 1/2 skim 1/2 soy milk for breakfast. Why half and half? Welp, I haven't had soy milk in awhile and I wanted to make sure I still loved it. Plus my skim milk has less fat and the same amount of calories per serving but the soy milk has slightly less carbs. Does anyone know the benefits of soy milk over skim?

I haven't had cereal for a few months and this was just what I needed to turn me into an addict! When I was younger and my mom would buy the reese's cereal I would always eat around the chocolate ones (not a fan of chocolate) so this cereal is like a gift from God! Can you tell I was too tired to wash my hair this morning? Whoops!

I did a 2.6 mile run, 1 mile on the eliptical, seated dips and leg lifts at the gym tonight. I was trying to keep it light since I was a little sore from cardio kickboxing last night.

I was feeling like salmon kabobs for dinner and my george foreman helped me out :-)

Sorry for the horrible pics! If you can't tell I "grilled" some marinated salmon, mushrooms and pineapple and served along side brown rice and an edamame/pepper mixture. Super tasty and took a total of 10 minutes to cook! Not bad.

I am planning a ladies brunch for some of my girlfriends to come over and catch up on our busy lives! It is so hard getting a group of girls together at the same time now that we all have careers (still weird to say) and live in different areas. I can't wait to cook for all of them and serve up some cake balls. I'm thinking carrot cake sounds like a brunch dessert. Right?

Here is my wedding finds update for the day...

Living in Maryland (home of the crab and old bay seasoning) this gave me a great idea for wedding favors. I think when you personalize your favors to your own style and loves, it gives your guests something extra to remember your special day. I'm already thinking up my own "crab bag" favors for when the day comes!

do you think a vlog is a good idea? what questions would you want answered?
does the spring make you obsessed with weddings too? 
what are the benefits of soy milk compared to skim milk (from a non vegan approach)?

xoxo,
Cara

Hump Day Lovin'

Happy Hump Day!! This warm weather was just what I needed to motivate me to get my butt back in the gym this week! About a month ago I signed up for two free yoga classes at a studio I once went to with Chris' mom. Monday's class was relaxing, but I definitely didn't feel any burn the day after and wanted to go straight to the gym afterwards. I have been craving a good sweat since I skipped out on the gym ALL LAST WEEK. Yup, I let it happen...and it could happen to you. haha

I finally went back to kickboxing class today after not going the past two weeks. Who am I? Cardio kickboxing is my favorite class and after today's workout I will never skip again! I left with a red face and a body dripping of sweat and it was just what I needed to kick my butt into gear! I headed across the street to the grocery store to stock up on healthy essentials while saving 28 dollars (just in time for the premiere of Extreme Couponing).

I am definitely thinking of renewing our Sam's Club membership because I have several kitchen essentials I buy every week that I could easily buy in bulk. Black beans, corn, salmon, onions, ground turkey breast, eggs, milk, greek yogurt, and tons of fruits and veggies. I need to get back on that bulk buying train!

I bought my first tofu/veggie italian sausages. I am excited/nervous to try them out. Has anyone ever had the light life sausages before? I read good reviews and figure I can always try them out in a frittata this weekend! I also stocked up on some soy milk and this box of goodness...

Peanut Butter lovers rejoice! I am excited to get back into a cereal routine! I also decided to make some black bean burgers for dinner tonight.

I love how this

With a little help of this

Can turn into this!

I am going to make a point to start incorporating more vegetarian meals into my weekly schedule. I could definitely live off of these burgers. You can find my recipe here. I also need to get my hands on a food processor so I can be like Alyssa at Fashion Fitness Foodie and make my own cinnamon raisin peanut butter!!

I made empanadas this weekend, but since I haven't been eating bread lately it was way too much for me and I never realized how hard they are to stuff! I give major props to anyone who makes these for a living. But they did photograph well...

One thing I am looking forward to this spring is the return of maxi dresses. Thank you Carrie Underwood... you show off this look flawlessly!

I'll leave you guys with some more wedding inspired photos I found at my new obsession bridalbar.com. Seriously, this weather has me going crazy over wedding blogs!

xoxo,
Cara