Bootylicious WINNER

 Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

Hi Guys! First and foremost thank you to everyone who participated in my first giveaway! Hopefully I can continue the trend and gather some of my favorite things to giveaway next! I'll be like the next Oprah... only younger, louder and without millions haha!

My giveaway winner is .... ALYSSA! from Fashion Fitness Foodie! I've known Alyssa for a long time now! Almost 6 years?? She definitely was a motivation and inspiration for me to start my own blog and if you haven't checked hers out, you definitely should! Congrats girl! I'll give you your granola this weekend on our running date!

Last night I participated in my first #fitblog chat on twitter! I had so much fun hearing other bloggers personal opinions about health and "diets". I definitely don't agree with the word diet. Diet to me means short lived. It takes a strong mindset and lifestyle change in order to truly make a difference in your health. It has taken me years not to be consumed with the number on my scale... and some days I still am.

I have learned that being healthy and fit is different for every individual. For me, it's how I feel in my own skin (and clothes). It's how good I feel after I work out, even if some days it takes me sitting in my workout clothes for 30 minutes before I drag myself to the gym. Get excited about healthy eating and learn what works for you. Not everyone should cut out carbs or fats (well I definitely agree with lowering your saturated and trans fats intake). Find recipes that are healthy and taste good - that way you aren't denying your mind what it really wants without denying your body of the good nutrients it needs.

There are so many resources out there. I love browsing the whole foods website for recipes. Go to your local bookstore and pick up a few cookbooks. Make Fishy Fridays or Meatless Mondays to help spice up your week! Don't be afraid to try new things. I used to hate avocados and now incorporate them into my diet at least once a week! And brussel sprouts roasted with olive oil and garlic are soooo good!

If google kept track of everything I have searched and I showed you guys you would think I am nuts! "Are lean pockets actually healthy?" "What do beets taste like?" "Is real bacon better for you than turkey bacon?" Knowledge is empowering and can help you truly make a decision to figure out what is best for you and your lifestyle.

Last night after fitblog I was starving for dinner. I only ran 2 miles since my shoes have officially given out on me. I made roasted cauliflower and a burger that sorta went like this...

Minus the bun - I used an arnolds thin and reduced fat cheese. And I may or may not have added a slice of bacon... :-) Moderation! Eating lean meat with lean bacon and toppings in my opinion doesn't hurt once a week. Plus it was the best tasting burger I have ever made!

Here are a few of my eats for the day - I finally am linking up to join WIAW for Jenn at Peas and Crayons!

Oatmeal with Berries for Breakfast

Apple Slices for a Mid-Morning Snack

One of these for lunch!

Carrot Sticks and Ranch for a Mid-Afternoon Snack

and I'm planning on re-creating this Salmon for dinner!

Hope you guys get out there and enjoy the 80 degree weather today! Hopefully cardio kickboxing with kick my butt tonight! Sophia at Raven Waves awarded me the bootylicious award! haha PERFECT!

Here are the rules:
1. Post this award with the picture and name whoever tagged you in it
2. Do the STUFF
3. Award to 7 others and tell them you did so!

THE STUFF:
1. Name 3 things that are lying right next to you –My cell phone which is prehistoric and doesn't even have a camera. No joke. Someone stole my iphone while I was boot shopping one day and I am waiting for the iphone5 to come out! Some Love Grown granola (Sweet Cranberry Pecan - yum) and two (yes 2) cups of water. Just in case I get lazy and don't feel like walking to the kitchen for a refill. I'm truly that smart ;-)

2. Name 2 foods you cannot live without -STRAWBERRIES! I am addicted to them like you guys are to chocolate. Thank god they were buy one get one free this week! Avocados - I just can't get enough guac! Does mexican food count? My fav!

3. Name 1 thing you did today – Packed my lunch, drove to work, and made some oatmeal. Yup, it's still early.

 You ladies are next! I could only think of 4 off the top of my head!

Bess

Alyssa

Cait

Jenn

What are some foods you can't live without?

Homemade Donuts - Auntie Annes Style!

H-A-P-P-Y F-R-I-D-A-Y!!!! I hate saying goodbye to a week, but I love saying hello to the weekend!! Sorry I teased you guys with my donut pan photos and made you wait until now to finally see what I created!!

I am happy to report everyone at work loved these donuts I made for my boss' birthday! She is just too sweet so I had to make her a sweet treat! I searched high and low for the perfect recipe. I wanted to challenge myself a little, but if you are looking for something a little simpler try Oh She Glow's Baked Doughnut's recipe or Fashion Fitness Foodie's Healthy Donuts recipe.

These donuts tasted just like Auntie Anne's cinnamon-sugar pretzels... sooo good and the smell filled my kitchen for hours! Thank god I packed these up and took them to work or I would have had lots of miles to run!

Baked Donuts - Adapted from 101 Cookbooks

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups warm milk - {I used vanilla soy milk}
1 packet active dry yeast
2 tablespoons butter - {I used vegan butter}
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour - {I used white because I thought the color and texture would be best}
A pinch or two of nutmeg, freshly grated - {substituted cinnamon}
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Topping Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - {I used vegan butter}
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:
Place 1/3 cup of the warm {soy} milk in the bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in the yeast and set aside for five minutes or so. Be sure your milk isn't too hot or it will kill the yeast. Stir the butter and sugar into the remaining cup of warm milk and add it to the yeast mixture. With a fork, stir in the eggs, flour, nutmeg, and salt - just until the flour is incorporated. With the dough hook attachment of your mixer beat the dough for a few minutes at medium speed. {I don't have a fancy machine, you can incorporate with a spoon just fine} This is where you are going to need to make adjustments - if your dough is overly sticky, add flour a few tablespoons at a time. Too dry? Add more milk a bit at a time. You want the dough to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl and eventually become supple and smooth. Turn it out onto a floured counter-top, knead a few times (the dough should be barely sticky), and shape into a ball.

Transfer the dough to a buttered (or oiled) bowl, cover, put in a warm place (I turn on the oven at this point and set the bowl on top), and let rise for an hour or until the dough has roughly doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and roll it out 1/2-inch thick on your floured countertop. Most people (like myself) don't have a doughnut cutter, instead I use a 2-3 inch cookie cutter to stamp out circles. Transfer the circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and stamp out the smaller inner circles using a smaller cutter. If you cut the inner holes out any earlier, they become distorted when you attempt to move them. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise for another 45 minutes.

Bake in a 375 degree oven until the bottoms are just golden, 8 to 10 minutes - start checking around 8. While the doughnuts are baking, place the butter in a medium bowl. Place the sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let cool for just a minute or two. Dip each one in the melted butter and a quick toss in the sugar bowl. Eat immediately if not sooner. {I stored in a tupperware container and brought to work, microwave them for 10 seconds and they are still delicious}

Makes 1 1/2 - 2 dozen medium doughnuts.
 
FYI: If you missed Bess' post for Janae, a bunch of us bloggers sent virtual hugs in support of her being unable to participate in the Boston Marathon due to a stress fracture. She is always upbeat and cares so much for her readers! Send her some of your hugs!

Things I am lovin' on lately:

• ALL my new followers! Seriously I swore I only had 23 yesterday and today when I looked there were 27! Thank you - that totally made my day!
• The sunshine coming out the past two days - the sun's gorgeous rays really do make you feel so much better and is a mood lifter! Get out and take a walk during your lunch break - totally makes you more productive!
• How amazing the blogger network is - I loved seeing how many girls sent hugs to Janae! What's your good deed of the day?
• The Annapolis-Baltimore trail. I am so glad my girl Stacey introduced me to this trail because it is perfect for a flat run, bike ride or great view to take your dogs for a walk! 13 miles of awesome scenery! 
• The fact that it is FRIDAY and the weekend is here! We have family stuff planned for tomorrow, but Sunday I am venturing out in DC all day! Packing a picnic and some flats for walking around the city!
• Peanut Butter and Co.'s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and White Chocolate flavors - our PR department at work was sent a variety 6 pack! Love it!
• Our interactive department won TWO ADDY awards yesterday! I had goosebumps when I heard my name being called as the Interactive Project Manager! 

and...

I received three bags of Love Grown Foods granola last night! 

Which can only mean it's an occasion for my first giveaway! I'll be giving away the Cocoa Goodness Granola bag to a lucky winner. Sorry - but only US residents are eligible. Maybe I'll add an extra sweet surprise in the delivery ;-)

Here are 3 easy ways to enter:

1. "Like" Chic Meets Healthy on Facebook here

2. Tweet about this giveaway... @caramundy is having a @lovegrownfoods giveaway! enter at http://tinyurl.com/6kxvu2p

3. Become a Follower of Chic Meets Healthy

Leave a comment for each entry and one lucky winner will be picked randomly at 10 pm on Tuesday 4/26! Good Luck!!!

Pumpkin OOIAJ

The most beautiful view is the one I share with you

This morning I finally did it. I dragged my sleepy butt out of my comfy king sized bed and went to spin class at 5:45. It was still dark outside, which can only mean the sun was trying to tell me to jump back in bed and sleep. The dogs were even too tired to bark at me when I got back at 7... now that is telling you something!

Since I was already awake and had time to spare I decided to make a healthy lunch that wasn't thrown together frantically in 2 seconds. Black bean burgers with hummus and spring greens.

Black bean burger recipe.

I really do love how easy these bad boys are to make and how healthy they are. I'm not one bit sad about not packing a salad today.

I also packed some of my roasted garlic hummus for a snack. I topped it off with some Old Bay...don't judge. You can never just lightly sprinkle this stuff. After reading blog after blog about overnight oats in a jar {OOIAJ} I decided I needed to try this addiction. I prepared my oats last night in an empty organic peanut butter jar. I don't know how anyone eats this entire thing! It was so filling, delicious and creamy. If you don't judge my OB obsession I won't judge yours.

Pumpkin OOIAJ:
1/3-1/2 cup oats
1 tbsp chia seeds or flax seeds
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon)
3/4 cup nonfat Milk (or Almond Milk for vegan recipe)
1/2 tbsp sugar free syrup
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
Walnuts (optional topping)
1/2 tbsp sugar free syrup (optional topping)
Dried Cranberries or Raisins (optional topping)
granola (optional topping)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in your empty peanut/almond butter jar. Mix well. Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight. Top with raisins, cranberries, walnuts, granola and/or maple syrup and enjoy!

my toppings

I swear the oats are in there! They are hiding!

I decided to make a list of goals I would like to accomplish in March.

1. I would like to go the gym in the morning 2 days a week. Preferably on Monday's and Tuesday's so I can come home to Chris on the days he has off work and actually spend time with him other than shoving our face with dinner and then going to bed after watching a movie/tv/BRAVO {yes, he watches all seasons of Real Housewives with me}.

2. Pick up my bike from my parents. I have been attending spin class 3-4 times a week and think now that the weather is {hopefully} starting to warm up I could probably bike to my gym. It is about 5 miles away, but I could always use an excuse to get some Chipotle next door. {yes- I am that girl who has a basket attached to her bike for the sole purpose of riding around the neighborhood with her tiny dog. Moo loves bike rides!}

3. Continue to find new healthy recipes and workouts that are outside the box. Bootcamp class, yoga in the city, rock climbing, etc. I have already lost about 8 pounds without trying - my healthy lifestyle has become a routine and not a chore!

4. Find a sushi making class for me and Chris to take with his mom and stepdad. I just want to take a one day class where we can learn how to make 3-4 rolls. I think that would be so much fun!

I think those are pretty reasonable goals! Tonight Chris and I are heading to his mom's for game night with his family - hence the reason I went to the gym this morning. We are ordering Mexican and I will hopefully be in a guac and cheese coma.

do you guys make goals at the beginning of each month? have you ever taken a sushi/cooking class?

xoxo,
Cara

Tofu Banana Bread

I was once afraid of people saying, "Who does she think she is?" Now I have the courage to stand and say, "This is who I am."

This morning I reunited with my long lost friend - oatmeal. I had an extra couple minutes so I decided to get fancy and make them on the stove instead of the microwave. Chris says he likes the taste better that way, I think I like the taste better in the microwave... but it did save me from having to clean up any explosions that would have indefinitely happened. I topped each with half a banana, sliced strawberries and galaxy granola. I found this at the grocery store about a month ago and it has 70% less fat than other granolas because they use fruit instead of oils. How perfect.

If you haven't heard, Woman's Health Magazine is holding a blog contest. I have nominated a few of my favorites, go ahead and enter me for a chance to be nominated! I'll love you forever and you can enter as many times as you like! I also added a few of my favorite blog reads as a tab, check them out! All those girls are amazing!

After waking up from a dreamless night, I decided to throw some baby powder on my roots, dress down and relax. It felt good and I love getting to work earlier than normal. It makes me feel productive. However, I do miss my Ojon Dry Shampoo. I am a firm believer every girl should carry this in her beach and/or gym bag. It works so well! Do you ever use dry shampoo? I know so many who are clueless to this! Hello to days without showers and not looking homeless!

Chobani announced today via twitter that it was national Banana Bread Day. What a perfect way to introduce you guys to tofu banana bread! It is vegan and oh so delicious. I first was introduced to this by Chris' mom. If you are afraid to try tofu, this is the way to do it!!

Tofu Banana Bread:

2 ripe bananas
1/2 pound tofu
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flower
1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Line pan with foil, letting edges overhang, and spray foil with cooking spray. Blend or beat the tofu and bananas together in a food processor or mixer until smooth. Scrape down the sides. Add sugar and vanilla. Process until fully blended. In a medium bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to the banana mixture and beat or pulse in a food processor just until smooth. By hand, fold in walnuts, if using. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Remove from pan. Peel off the foil and let the cake fully cool on the wire rack. Enjoy! I got this recipe from food.com and it tastes amazing. Serves 10 and is 160 calories per serving.

dry and wet ingredients

blended tofu and banana

all ingredients combined, this is one thick batter!

finished product, if you look closely you can see the piece i tore off the top!

So good! I can't wait for breakfast!

It's Wednesday, so I am sure you all can only assume what I was doing. Kickboxing class! I never get sick of it, and I hope you don't get sick of reading about it. I am obsessed with my instructor. I don't know who invented turbo time, but they are a genius! Pre-workout. Your Welcome, now take your butt to the gym! I hadn't worked out since Saturday and was feeling extra guilty about all the pasta and pumpkin cheesecake I ate last night!

Chance wanted his 15 minutes of fame!

I made some asian style lettuce wraps for dinner. It was my first time and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the recipe I came up with!

Cara's Asian Lettuce Wraps and Rice:

2 chicken breasts
cooking spray
6 green onions (finely sliced)
10-15 baby carrots (finely sliced)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/2 jalapeno (finely diced)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon garlic
juice of one lime
1 cup uncooked rice
lettuce or butter lettuce would have been good
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook chicken breasts with cooking spray, salt and pepper. Slice and set aside. In the same pan (on low) add garlic, lime juice, sesame oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, 1/2 sliced green onions and jalapeno. Stir until warm. Add your chicken to the sauce and let it hang out until you are finished cooking your rice. Top lettuce wraps with rice, chicken, sauce and the sliced green onions and carrots. Done!

I think that was a successful night of cooking!

Do you have a favorite class at the gym? Would you rather cook your oatmeal in the microwave or on the stove? Have you ever tried tofu before? If so, what was the recipe?

xoxo,
Cara