Vegan Girl On the Run

Recently I entered a contest on Instagram through a new up and coming fashion and beauty brand based out of Las Vegas, NV called "The Chicky Quicky Box." It was founded by the one and only Patty Barba, who also owns not only 1, but 6 fashion boutiques called Patty's Closet in Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Alaska.  I first heard about Patty's Closet when we were stationed in Las Vegas a little less than two years ago and let me tell you...I quickly fell in love with her stores and it is still til this day one of my favorite boutiques to shop at! Her stores offer not only unique, but affordable fashion finds.  If you know me, you know just how perfect this combination is! Seriously if you haven't heard of Patty Barba or Patty's Closet and you have Instagram, you are missing out! Look her up, as well as her boutiques, @pattyscloset and @pattybarba2013 and show her some love! So, back to the box...I entered The Chicky Quicky's (@chickyquickybox on Instagram) contes...

Hi y'all! So it's been a while since I last posted, but it has been quite busy around here...all for good reason, though : ).  I am back in school so this (as if I wasn't busy enough lol) has definitely been keeping me on my toes ; ); however, with that said just because I have been even busier than normal does not give me any good reason to slack off on keeping a clean and healthy diet . Healthy foods don't have to be inconveniencing at all and with some thorough planning and preparation, you can have clean meals and snacks ready to go whenever needed. I'm here today to bring you a recipe for no bake peanut butter, chocolate, and coconut protein bites that I made just last night. These are versatile in that they can be used for breakfast, a snack, or even a tasty (and guilt free) dessert ; )...plus since they are pre-made you can literally just grab and go. Best of all, they are healthy...you know what is going in them so no preservatives or artificial anything...a...

I don't eat sweets often, but when I do have a craving for sweets I've often leaned toward that sweet and salty combination. Two of my favorite foods (I don't really want to say flavors because no artificial flavors for this girl...I want the real deal lol) are chocolate (preferably vegan of course) and peanut butter. Put these two together (if you ask me they are on the same level as putting peanut butter and jelly together...they are made for each other lol) and you get...peanut butter cups! Seriously, how can you go wrong with salty peanut butter and rich chocolate? The answer is well...you can't ; ).  The original Reese's peanut butter was created by Harry Burnett Reese in 1928 (originally called "penny cups" bc that's how much each cup sold for at the time...one freaking penny...craziness!) so you can say that this is definitely a classic candy...and for good reason ; ). This brings me to my recipe for today...homemade (vegan) peanut butte...

     One year ago today will be a day that I will never forget. The memories of that day...as bittersweet as they are...will forever be vividly stuck in my heart, mind, and soul. You see, on April 15, 2013 I ran in the 117th Boston Marathon. A race that runners from all over the world put in hours of training just to get a chance to have the privilege of earning a spot in. For as long as I have been a serious distance runner I had wanted more than anything not only to qualify for Boston, but to be healthy enough to go and run this race. I qualified 3 different times before I was finally able to actually go and run the race. I had pretty severe injuries in the months after my first 2 BQs that prevented me from going to Boston. If I remember right this was in 2006 and 2007. Despite the fact that I had developed a partial labral tear in my left hip and had surgery on my left leg just months before the race, my sports doctor gave me the go ahead to run Boston in 2013. Wi...

   Last week we traveled to DC (about a 2.5 hour drive for us) for the Cherry Blossom 10 mile race. I had been looking forward to this trip not only for the fact that I was able to run in another race, but at my 29 years of age this was my very first time to really experience DC. I've driven through DC in the past when I was around 15 years old, but in my book that doesn't count. Visiting this city has always been on my bucket list so you can imagine that I jumped at the opportunity to race there and visit the city by foot...as a runner this is one of my favorite ways to explore new places. I was looking forward to running by some historical monuments, seeing the famous cherry blossoms, seeing the White House, and so much more.      Not only was I running in this race, but Avery (my 5 year old) was running in the Children's Cherry Blossom 1/2 mile "race." This was her second race of her (hopefully long) running career ; )...she may take a little after her mama...

     Ever been shopping in the produce section of your local grocery store and noticed that big yellow spaghetti squash and didn't really know what to quite make of it? I know I have before, but in the past couple of years I have become more acquainted with this squash and in turn less intimidated by them.  Yes, I admit that I used to be intimidated by them...and quite frankly I'm willing to bet that this is one item in the produce section that many are often a bit intimidated by. Often people just don't know what to do with them; however, once you start cooking with them you learn just how easy they are to prepare! They pack a nutritional punch by supplying folic acid, potassium, and vitamin A just to name a few and they are so versatile when it comes to cooking.  Versatile I like! ; ) As the name suggests "spaghetti" squash looks just like that when cooked...like spaghetti! For you carb watching folk you can simply substitute the "noodles" from a spagh...

     So with all of this cold weather we have been having lately, I was in the mood for some warm comfort food last week. I ended up deciding on some vegan pumpkin pancakes...I mean seriously, how can you go wrong with pumpkin pancakes?! We even had them for (gasp) DINNER! I know what you are thinking and yes, we do like to live on the edge from time to time here in the our household ; ). The nice bonus with these pancakes is that with some flour substitutions, the final product is reduced gluten and slightly reduced carbs than your typical pancakes. I made these around Christmas time as well, but this time I decided to play with the flours a little and see what the outcome was like. I like to change up the flours a bit from the typical all purpose flour from time to time by substituting portions of what the recipe calls with other varieties of flours for a couple of reasons. One, I like that it gives our favorite recipes variations in textures. I admit that sometimes I e...

     Hi y'all! I know, I know...long time no see, but now that the holidays are over hopefully I can get a bit more regular with posting on here. I'm still in the learning process here with blogging, but hoping to gain more knowledge as time goes on and that this whole blogging thing comes to me in a much smoother fashion. I knew starting off my blog fairly close to the holidays would throw me off a bit, but I'm just glad I finally started it. Hoping everyone who reads it will enjoy it as much as I enjoy sharing our adventures along the way.      As I type this, I am drinking a nice cup of warm tea (big time tea drinker here!) and enjoying the peace and quiet (a rarity around my house lol) since the kids are asleep...praise the good Lord ; ) (hey don't judge). Since I've been MIA for the past month, I'm going to catch you up a little on what has been happening with us. First of all, I had another race since the last time I posted.  I ran in the Race '...