ooooh fluffernutter

TGIF.  why did i even bother setting regular clothes out last night? idk.  it's just too hot to be cute.  i threw on what i feel most comfy in before hitting the streets- GYM CLOTHES.  knowing good and well i will NOT be seeing the inside of a gym today at that!  the older i get, comfort > style indeed. oatbran banana pancakes and a veggie egg white omelette fueled me up and out the door this morning.

so messing around with this fluffernutter stuff had me creating all kinds of crazy recipes. like this one:

Dark Chocolate Cashew Butter Graham Cracker Fluffernutter Brown Rice Crispy Treats (from memory!)

the stuff:

• 3 cups gluten-free crispy brown rice
• 1 cup Barbara's Snackimal Vanilla Blast cereal
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp light agave nectar (or honey, or maple syrup)
• 1/2 cup roasted cashew butter (or any creamy raw or roasted nut butter)
• 1/2 cup brown rice syrup
• 1/2 cup Enjoy Life dairy-free chocolate chips (you can use real/regular choc. chips, YES!)
• 5 honey graham cracker sheets (enough to cover the surface of the bottom of your pan
• Fluffernutter (just any plain marshmallow fluff) to top

do this:

1. combine cereal, syrup, vanilla, brown rice, agave nectar, cashew butter together in a large mixing bowl until incorporated WELL.
2. spray your rectangle pan  (9 x 13 or something similar)  with no stick cooking spray and line the bottom when 1 layer of the Enjoy Life chips.  set the pan into a heated oven until the chips begin to melt, about 5-7 minutes.
3. take the pan out and make a flat layer of graham crackers on top of the melted chips.  press down SLIGHTLY until even all the way across.
4. dump the cereal mixture on top of the graham cracker layer and GENTLY press into an even layer all the way across the pan.
5. sprinkle a few more Enjoy Life chips on top and put the whole thing in the fridge to set for at least an hour.
6. cut into squares, (flip some over to see the cool bottom layer if you're being fancy) and top with a dollop of fluffernutter cream and more crushed graham crackers on each one.

FREAKISHLY GOOD!!!!! please share.

i cut 14 bars outta my rectangle so the stats are for 1.  remember, gluten and/or  dairy free does NOT mean fat or sugar-free yall!  these are a bit indulgent, but definitely better for ya than the packaged stuff.

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please check out this eye-opening Q & A with former magazine editor and Senior graphic design and photographer, Jennifer Lau.

you might say crazy photo editing jobs are nothing new...and i agree.  however  this doesn't just apply to mags and print anymore as social media is a really big deal this day in age.  so before you scroll through pic after pic of 'perfect' (filtered AND unfiltered) bodies then advert your eyes to yourself,  remember to:

 we all have special, unique talents, and most important, FLAWS & SHAPES! accept and love yourself AS YOU ARE; perfectly imperfect.  just like 'her/him'!

HAPPY FRIDAY.

le

game changers

anybody else used to buy those tiny wheatgrass shots from Jamba juice?  i did it more than a handful of times.  seeing this wheatgrass powder at Sprouts Farmers Market reminded me of my frivolous spending days.

i cracked the bag open for the first time yesterday and made some  maple wheatgrass pancakes with it!  turned out good enough to share. so i will.

maple wheatgrass pancakes:

the stuff: ?

• 1/2 cup oat bran ?
• 2-3 heaping tbsp wheat grass powder ?
• 1 tsp maple extract ?
• 1 tsp vanilla ?
• 2 egg whites ?
• 1/2 tsp baking powder ?
• 4 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or more if batter is too thick)
• 1-2 packets stevia ?
• 2 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

do this:

combine real good and cook up like cakes in your no-stick cooking spray coated, medium heated skillet!  3-4 minutes each side.  top however you like - i chose pecan pieces and Walden Farms zero calorie pancake syrup.

stats:

197 cals, 4g fat, 160mg sodium, 39g carbs, 8g fiber, 5g sugar, 16g protein. ???????????????

i took a FULL rest day yesterday and did some grocery shopping .  Walmart was planned.  Whole Foods was not.

after sacking 43 lbs of sweet potatoes in Wally World, my eyes caught ahold of a big end cap of these One Step French Fry Cutters.  *jaw drops*  and then i saw the price directly below them: $9.88.  *jaw drops lower*.  i threw the cutter as well as all the skepticism 'as seen on tv' products come with in my buggy and kept truckin'.

i'd say it worked pretty well, wouldn't you!? great investment.  i like to chop my veggies by hand, but you can use this thing to chop up a bunch of other stuff too (garlic, shallots, etc).  here's an IMPORTANT TIP though: nuke your potatoes for 1.5 minutes or so (really depending on size) AND cut them in half so it will fit in the gadget (think hamburger style, not hot dog).  and be super careful not to  over cook them! it will create a huge mess.  don't ask me how i know. ugh.

i tried it out on my Spicy Smoky Sweet Potato fries from my ebook!

so about Whole Foods... it never fails. i always come out with extra stuff and a biggER bill. i went to get some Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour which i could not even find (nor could the store associate) so i got some from the bulk bins. and on the way out i found these two gems:

vegan, gluten-free, organic Sprinklez by Let's Do Organic (cause they DO exist apparently), and vegan (dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free) Chocolate Chip cookie dough by Eat Pastry.  why did i even bring this up in my house :shock:

 i entered a crazy fluffernutter (marshmallow fluff) challenge on IG last night at the last-minute using what i had and made a big fluffernutter pazookie pie!

since the dough is egg-free i'm definitely eating the rest raw.  go get somma that DOUGH.

 ok back to my cookie dough :)

le

homemade oatmeal cream pies + pre-workout snacks

  this recipe has been on my IG  forever and it's time for it to hit the fit recipes section too here on tha blog. so here ya go:

homemade oatmeal cream pies

the stuff:

cookies:

1 1/4 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 2 tbsp coconut oil 1/2 cup coconut crystals 1/4 cup Stevia for Baking (NOT the packets!) 1/2 tsp baking soda

filling: 4 tbsp light cream cheese (room temperature) 4 tbsp sugar-free cool whip (optional) 2 heaping tbsp greek yogurt 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 packet stevia

do this:

combine wet with wet and dry with dry; mix well. in a large mixing bowl, combine the two mixtures until incorporated. for filling- whip everything together until smooth and chill in a large mixing bowl.  make sure the cookies have cooled completely before you make the sammiches!  bake 16 cookies for 10-12 min on 350 deg.

thank you guys for the IG love concerning these pies!!! @mrs_meka_l tagged me just last night after she whipped up a batch, yum. thanks hun! love the comparison pic ;)

nutritional stats per cookie sammich: 184 calores, 6 g fat, 27 g carbs, 147mg sd, 3g fiber, 8g sugar, 4g protein!

makes 8 (one top cookie, one bottom + 2 heaping tbsp of filling)

super boring lunch today, but this is why i love having prepped food ready to go.  convenience!  i threw this all in my tupperware and hit the streets for a few hours running errands.

 the tilapia was sautéed in about 2 tbsp of Bragg Liquid Aminos + about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water, and sprinkled with Sicilian Mc Cormick Perfect Pinch seasoning on top.    you can use low sodium chicken broth too if ya got it.  i paired it with cilantro-lime brown rice, some avocado and a couple of almonds for good fat.

this is one of my absolute fave pre and/or post workout snacks right here..

it's all over my IG feed, i know.  toasted 100% whole grain whole wheat bread slathered with honey roasted peanut butter and fruit (usually strawberries or bananas).

my goodness that looks so dreamy, right!?!?!?! gaaaaaah.   why do i consume this before (and sometimes after) a workout?

this snack is a winner because it gives a healthy balance of protein (from the peanut butter) and carbs (from the fruit and bread).  this combo ensures your energy levels stay high throughout your workout.  for post-workout, similar deal.  the protein and carbs in this snack helps to replenish and repair glycogen levels after breaking down your muscles from your hardcore workout.  other pre-workout suggestions:

• pear and pistachios
• coffee (especially for my early risers)
• low-fat chocolate milk
• apple, hardboiled egg, string cheese
• raw coconut water
• low-fat cheese on toast
• protein shake with banana

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Sonny and i did a fitness photo shoot last week for Next Generation Athletics and we scored some of their awesome fitness gear in return!  what a perk i appreciate sincerely.  i wore some of the clothes to class this morning and got great feedback from my members on it.  kudos to NXG for the their amazingly comfortable and stylish fitness apparel.

Q: what is your favorite pre/post workout snack or meal?  share away so we can all try some of them!

le

 

chop, chop

oooooh i needed this espresso this morning of all days.  compliments of one of my early morning Lifetime members, so sweet.  i chugged my own instant coffee on the way to class then this on the way home.  running off of 3 hours of sleep + caffeine = a HARD crash sooner or later.

today's workout:

• 1 hr Barbel Strength (full body weight workout)
• walking weighted lunges 3 x s forward and reverse ( approx. 50 feet?? idk!)
• 10 minutes straight of core (russian twists, bicycle crunches, planks)
• 20 min cardio on the elliptical

so random! i normally use my class as my warmup and go do my real workout afterwards, but my body checked OUT immediately after class.  GET YOUR REST GUYS.  it will catch up to you....eventually.

 i stayed up super late the night before getting things ready for the tortilla giveaway that took place earlier today!

------------->STEPHANIE RUANO!<-----------------

i want to personally thank every single person who entered into this giveaway! i'm just paying it forward, passing on the blessing, and loving it!

 THANK YOU kindly.

theres more to come though- stay.tuned.

so this past tuesday was definitely NOT about me so i did not include this in Sonny's birthday post, but i did a little something to my hair that was WELL overdue.

 i have neglected this head of mine for a long, long time.   i go to the shop for special occasions, but in between those visits, HA.  bun city.  i actually planned to go waaaaay shorter than that, but i am super satisfied.  it definitely doesn't look like this anymore after 2 workouts lol, but i'm gonna do better about maintaining my hair! this time.

it's official. i'm out of Fitzee Foods.  I didn't leave a note on the fridge and Sonny actually ate a few of the meals they sent me which means i did not get to snag a pic of them.  but it's all good cause i am about to put in another order real quick!

Fitzee Foods is based out of San Diego, CA, but they deliver nation wide.  thank God, cause Texas is quite a ways away from Cali.     their meals are:

• local, organic, all natural products
• breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snack and meal replacement bar options
• gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian options available
• DELISH.

if you have questions about a specific product on their site, email me! (le@fitfoodiele.com).  my Fitzee Foods product reviews will resume shortly.

last fitness class of the week in the morning :shock: ! nite

Q: have you ever done something drastic to your hair and regretted it?

le

birthday steak

august 6th is a pretty important day.  it's Sonny's birthday!  he received love from his entire family all day long, which is how it should be!

his first gift (and two of his most favorite things) came from Chiso:

oreos and gummy bears.  oh and a card.

we found Chiso upstairs knocked OUT the night before and Sonny snagged this gem of a pic.

early morning balloons from his youngest sister, lunch with his little brother, gifts and love from his mom, and his other sister watched Chiso for us while we went out to play!

i got my private date later in the evening for dinner.  I took Sonny to the infamous Eddy V's baby! all the reviews i scoured through were SPOT ON.  we had a fab time and the staff worked super hard to make his day special. i mean really! we HIGHLY recommend Eddy V's for outstanding food and exceptional service, especially for special occasions.

just happy to be on this man's arm!  we started out with two appetizers:

a gorgeous plate of shrimp and pork pot stickers. spicy shrimp and pork in a light soy broth. yeah, it was as delectable as it looks.

and i tried the Fuji apple salad complete with green beans, baby beets, candied walnuts, maytag blue cheese, ginger orange vinaigrette. crisp and sweet.

for my entrée, North Atlantic Lemon Sole!  parmesan crust with tomato and herb salad, lemon garlic butter on tha side.

speaking of sides, crab fried rice? whoa. sugar snap peas with shiitake mushrooms & onions,  sautéed garlic spinach, and a hunk of sourdough bread.

all al la carte, all al la delicious.

this thing needed its own drum roll after weighing in @ a whopping 22 oz of USDA Prime Ribeye.  my goodness.

it's the only way to do it on ya birthday- BIG.

next, time for something sweet.

which one did we pick? the closest thing to a brownie cause that what Sonny always gets.  the Hot Godiva Chocolate Cake!  and yall, we have NOTHING to show for it cause both of our phones died RIGHT AFTER THE PIC ABOVE.  no kidding. this cake was the highlight of the evening!!!! pissed was not even the word.  however, thank God for Google cause that's exactly what i did.

boom.  hot chocolate cake, creamy, cold vanilla bean ice cream........ :shock:

WORTH EVERY BITE.

we love you Papa, happy birthday! 

thanks for reading!

Q: what is your favorite thing to order at Eddy V's?  i read all about that truffle mac and cheese but i'll save it for next time ;)

le