Garlic Cilantro Aioli

 no one can ruin your day without your permission.

And I'm back! Whew, I hadn't realized I haven't written a post since Friday? The weekend flew by and ran off with my Monday. Not to worry, my stack of Chobani has almost disappeared and I found yet another way to put one flavor to use!

Luckily, I was too paranoid about missing another hair appointment I woke up 4 hours before mine on Saturday morning. Mission accomplished. Afterward my momma bear met up with me at the salon with my pup and we stopped to get some lunch. I love sandwich shops {especially healthy ones} that allow me to try a new spin on a sandwich I would normally hate. I hate lunch meat. I almost dread eating a sandwich when I pack myself one for lunch. Until I met the berry brie turkey sandwich. So delicious and so simple. It had spinach, whole wheat bread, turkey, brie slices and berry preserves and was exactly what I needed to fuel me up for some shopping.

How cute is this stuff? I love shopping in small town's main streets because they always have the best stores! I hit up Retro Metro where my mom picked me up a serving tray with matching cheese knife and napkins, adorable porcelain measuring spoons and some chill pills {ice tray} for Chris haha. Just in case I need to prescribe him some extra strength ones! I also got a bud vase for my kitchen and a vintage lace hook for my kitchen towel at The Hive. I was a happy girl. One day I want a black and white kitchen and dining room. Similar to these, but really it was so hard finding images for black and white dining rooms. Go figs!

Saturday night was movie night. After being out at the bar 3 times in the past 7-8 days, we needed a break. So, I rented two movies {knowing I was only going to stay awake for Toy Story 3} and made some snacks for Chris and I to munch on.

pre-oven

cooked and crispy!

Spicy Baked Fries:

4 medium red potatoes sliced into "fries"
olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon cumin
salt and pepper

Directions:

Wash and slice your red potatoes. Cover a baking sheet with foil and spread out your fries so that they each have their own area to get nice and crisp. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with spices. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, depending how crispy you like them. Serve with a cool garlic cilantro aioli.

Garlic Cilantro Aioli:

1 package of 0 or 2% Chobani plain greek yogurt
bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together, reserving some cilantro for garnish. Serve with spicy baked fries and quesadillas.

What's in my quesadilla?

Chicken

Spinach

Jalapeno

Corn

Tomatoe

Chili Powder

Reduced fat Mex cheese

Delicious. I also popped some natural chocolate chip cookies in the oven for Chris to snack on knowing I don't like chocolate so that saved me some miles on the treadmill :) I cheated on the gym all weekend with family, friends and good food so I am not feeling the usual amount of guilt. I am returning today with a vengeance so don't you worry!

Yesterday's breakfast and lunch were oh so colorful! I picked up some edamame at the grocery store and added them to my salad. Hello colors of the rainbow! My salad was so bright and cheery I loved digging in! An apple and thin bagel was my snack and of course I had to have some Chobani and granola for breakfast. Stay tuned til tomorrow when I give my last greek yogurt recipes and review!

If you, your dog, your boyfriend, your friends have Facebook please take 2 minutes out to vote for me and Chris to win a free photography session. We are so neck and neck with another couple and it makes me nervous! Here's what to do:

Step One: Like Misa Me Photography on Facebook

Step Two: Click on the 2011 Lovebirds Giveaway photo album

Step Three: Like Chris and Cara (photo one) to help us win!

So easy and so simple. If you vote for me, I'll vote for you in the Woman's Health Mag's Blogger Contest! Hope you guys have a fabulous Tuesday!

xoxo,
Cara

Favorite Finally Friday

 "Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone should be."

It is finally Friday. The birds are chirping, the sun is out, people are poppin' bottles. haha Well, maybe not all of those things are happening {at least not at once}, but who doesn't love Fridays!? I am starting to love Thursdays if they are anything like my yesterday.

I got my awesome huge honka box from Emily and her team at Chobani to sample and review 12 of their flavors and I got my prize from Oats & Spice's Nutridel cookie giveaway!
 

So excited to try these all out! In my love box was 2% plain, mango, strawberry banana and pineapple. 0% black cherry, honey, raspberry, lemon, peach, blueberry, strawberry and plain. It was like a Greek Yogurt Christmas up in my kitchen!

Plus, the girl who is a crappy runner {me} ran intervals for 45 minutes and I actually really enjoyed it... probably because I said a prayer to the treadmill gods beforehand.

0-5 minutes: 3.6 mph

5-15 minutes: 6.0 mph

15-20 minutes: 3.8 mph at 7.5 incline

20-25 minutes: 5.8 mph

25-30 minutes: 3.8 mph at 7.5 incline

30-32.5 minutes: 5.8 mph

32.5-35 minutes: 3.8 mph at 7.5 incline

35-40 minutes: 5.8 mph

40-45 minutes: 3.4 mph

gettin' my love on with my number one man.

pre-workout. he is model material!

I know some of you are crazy good runners, but this is a personal accomplishment. Finding a routine that was challenging yet enjoyable at the same time without giving up. Total was about 3.25 miles. I finished my workout with bicep curls and abs.

I finally picked up some cilantro at the store near my work - Safeway has been slacking. I made some of my corn salsa, cilantro lime rice and faux chipotle chicken {i didn't follow the recipe i was lazy plus I think it is embedded in my brain}. Turned out delicious! Move over chipotle, a new girl is coming to town! haha yeah, right.

I hope you all love picture books, because I have a feeling that's what today's post is turning into. Breakfast was Chobani's 0% Black Cherry Greek Yogurt topped with galaxy granola. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Too bad you can't really tell I had some leftover yogurt on my lips... and doesn't everyone eat their yogurt with a fork! Spoons are over-rated. Note to self: invest in sporks. Today's breakfast, lunch and snacks include: CBC yogurt, galaxy granola, strawberries, peaches and left over rice with salsa. Good thing my yogurt had 14grams of protein - i wasn't feeling like meat today. 

Tonight we are celebrating our friend Hoss' birthday! Let's hope I don't oversleep tomorrow and miss my hair appointment the second weekend in a row. Any takers on being my own personal alarm clock? I'll make you something yummy in return, or trade Chobani! 

PS. I want this swim suit. Like now. Thank you Kourtney Kardashian for designing my next purchase! This is why I work out 5-6 times a week. Beach bod, beach bod, beach bod.

xoxo,

Cara

LÄRABAR

What makes this woman think she can speak among men? Because only Spartan women give birth to real men.

Hope everyone had a great hump day! I had an amazing day - signed up for the warrior dash in May, went to kickboxing class and it's already over halfway to the weekend! I had so much energy today I blew through my kickboxing class with the high endurance moves for the full hour. Don't you love those days?

As mentioned before, Monday I was sent my amazing package from Erica at LÄRABAR to review four of their amazing energy bars. Miss that post? Here is how excited I was.

The thing I loved most about these bars was the fact that you can literally count the ingredients on one of your hands. They are made from fresh ingredients, are gluten, dairy and soy free, vegan and kosher. What more could you ask from an energy bar? You will be blown away with how moist each of them are too. I noticed all four of the bars they sent me contained dates... I see a new grocery item to add to my shopping list! I got all of these photos from their website, definitely check it out!

First on my list was Cherry Pie. This was by far my favorite bar. It was moist and literally tasted like thanksgiving in your mouth. Amazingly it is made from only almonds, unsweetened cherries and dates.

Next up was Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. I shared this with my boss (since I am not much of a chocolate lover). Surprisingly I ate more of this bar than her! The nuts really stood out in this bar. It contained only salt, chocolate chips, peanuts and dates!

Chris scarfed this bar down one night while we were in bed. He let me have one nibble though. I was really impressed. It tasted exactly like banana bread. For all of you that love eating a slice of banana bread in the morning but don't have the time to make it stock up on these! They are made from dates, unsweetened bananas and almonds. Delicious.

Last, but not least, was the coconut cream pie. I was a little weary about this bar. I didn't know what to expect. It tastes exactly like an almond joy candy bar minus the chocolate. But don't let that stop you from dipping the bar in some melted chocolate. This was a dream come true for all chocolate haters! This had the most ingredients of the four. The five (i know!) ingredients were almonds, dates, unsweetened coconut, cashews and organic extra virgin coconut oil.

I also thought of some fun ways you could eat LÄRABAR everyday. You could crumble it and add to your oatmeal or yogurt. You could break it and add to your trailmix. You could even cut it in fours, roll into balls and dip in chocolate. The possibilities are endless! *These reviews are based on my own opinions!

This was my breakfast and lunch. Am I the only one who packs ketchup to bring to the office? Hello co-workers - please stock the fridge with some ketchup! I will love you forever if you do! I had another black bean burger with hummus and greens, a banana and some tangerines (not pictured) for a snack and a LÄRABAR for breakfast. Tonight's dinner is turkey chili. The easiest dinner meal possible because I think I used up the last of today's energy writing this post and in kickboxing class.

I am off to eat a big bowl of chili and watch Top Chef. Hope you have a great night!

Have you heard of the Warrior Dash? I am going to have to write a post dedicated to this! I was so excited my amazing friends decided to sign up with me! Have you ever tried LARABARs? What is your favorite energy bar? I think I am going to try to make these homemade! With only 4-5 ingredients I can't screw up too bad huh?

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

Roasted

 "You can do anything, but not everything."

After a crazy weekend out on the town drinking too many vodka waters, dancing with my lovely friends and neglecting my healthy eating habits at the wee hours of the morning I am happy to return to my daily routine. How the heck did I go out every weekend in college and survive? My weekend eats included some of the following:

Don't worry I did throw in some strawberries and a homemade taco salad to the mix on Sunday. I didn't have a huge appetite this weekend, but probably should have stayed away from the late night McDonald's run on Saturday after the bar. One day I am going to start a fast food chain that is healthy and open til 3 am on the weekend so this can be avoided.  Now I just need to find out where they sell pill versions of the stomach flu - just kiddddinnn'.

On another note! I won Oats and Spice's Nutridel Cookie giveaway! I am looking forward to getting these bad boys in the mail! I think the best part about winning this giveaway was the fact that none of these varieties are chocolate... that means more for me and less to give away to Chris ;-)

And the cherry on top of my Monday Sundae was walking out my door this morning to find a package sent to me from Erica at LÄRABAR to review. 4 delicious bars I am so excited to try and tell you guys about! Stay tuned for that post later this week!

After hitting up the grocery store and only picking up the essentials {yes, I made a list and stuck to it} I decided to make another version of homemade hummus. If I could eat garlic on everything and not scare away others by my breath I would. In fact, I do... and this is why I always have gum handy.

Roasted Garlic Hummus:

3-4 large garlic cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 lemon or 1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons sesame tahini
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper {I used roasted red pepper oil}
1/4 cup fresh chives, minced
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts {optional}

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place garlic cloves on a small piece of foil, lightly drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and cracked black pepper. Seal foil to form a pouch, and roast garlic in oven until soft for about 20-25 minutes. Add the chickpeas, roasted garlic and process until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, sesame tahini, water, salt, cayenne pepper/red pepper oil, and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and process until smooth. Stir in chives. You could top with roasted red pepper slices or toasted pine nuts.

garlic pre oven

i used my blender to whip up this delicousness

ta-da! the chives are hiding in there somewhere

For breakfast I made a protein smoothie. Can't wait to make some Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats {OOIAJ for all you foodies} tonight for the morning. I finally bought my first can of organic pumpkin puree. A little ironic if you knew my love for all things pumpkin. Hopefully this will save me from eating another slice of the pumpkin cheesecake we have in our fridge from Cheesecake Factory. If you come visit me, I'll give you the rest of the box!

Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie:

3 strawberries sliced
1/2 banana sliced
1 scoop vanilla protein
1/4 cup Chobani greek yogurt
3/4 cup nonfat milk

pre-blended

I'm off to the gym to work off the weekend! Here are just a few of the amazing people I spent my weekend with!

xoxo,
Cara