The Simple Things: A to Z

The Simple Things: A to Z

A – Achievement because it’s important

B – Beer. Gotta love different flavors

C – Cheers to a great future

D – Dogs because they’re awesome

E – Exercise because it’s great

F – Freedom in America

G – God (Enough stated)

H – House because mine is fun

I – I love you, three huge words!

J – Joking because it’s what I like

K – Kittens because they are so cool!

L – Lauren, my sister who is 27 years old

M – My mother who raised me well

N – Nature, which is awesome

O – Orange because it’s bright and cheerful

P – Pillows that are fluffy

Q – Quit never because that’s what it is

R – Roller Coasters which are great

S – Simple because sometimes that’s how it works

T – Travel, which is such a great time

U – Universe because it’s where we are

V – Vitamins because they’re healthy

W – Wonderful

X – X-rays, which suck

Y – You

Z – Zebra print which is awesome

Here’s a photo from my sister’s wedding- I’m the third person beginning from the left. It was a great time

 

Have a great rest of your weekend!!!

 

Paul Revere Museum, Eggplant Parmesean, and Vodka Cupcakes

Hey there!!

So far my move has been fine. It’s been a little over two months and I’m settled in and am planning on purchasing a desk, posters, and more outfits. I’d like more sport outfits, shoes, tank tops, jeans, and long sleeve tops eventually.

Last weekend, my parents visited and we went to the Paul Revere museum in Boston.

Paul Revere’s Kitchen Table

Paul Revere’s House

After the Paul Revere museum, we had an early dinner at Billy Tso’s Restaurant. I ordered Vegetable Tempora for the first time. Upon returning to my new house, we had an early birthday celebration with cake and presents:

Birthday Cake

From Dream Cakes Bakery and it was delicious. This weekend I decided to make Eggplant Parmesan.

Eggplant Parmesan (Serves 2)

Homemade Eggplant Parm

Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants, sliced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• spices: oregano and basil, to taste
• olive oil, to taste

Directions:

1. Place olive oil on a baking sheet. Slice eggplant and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping each piece over
2. While the eggplant is baking, mix the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses with the spices
3. Top the eggplant with the cheese mixture
4. Top the eggplant and cheese mixture with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese and bake for another 10 minutes. Other options include to add breadcrumbs to the Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil.

I made Vodka Cupcakes as well, adapted from Cosmopolitan Magazine (for my upcoming birthday).

Vodka Cupcakes

Have a great week!

-Michelle

“I’m All Yours” by Jay Sean and Pitbull plus Healthy Triple Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Brownies!

There is so much good music out there! I love listening to One Direction, Carrie Underwood, David Guetta, Eminem, Linkin Park, Usher, B.o.B, and more.

Song of the Day: Here’s a new music video that’s pretty good:

Check out these:

 

Healthy Triple Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Brownies!

Ingredients:

Liquid:

• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or canola, coconut, etc.)
• 1 T vanilla extract
• ¼ cup agave nectar
• ¼ cup milk

Dry:

• 1 cup flour (spelt, whole wheat, etc.)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
• 1.5 cups chocolate chips- including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate

Note: other options for the chocolate chips include peanut-butter chocolate chips or any flavor of choice!

Directions:

1. Mix wet ingredients
2. Mix dry ingredients
3. Mix wet and dry ingredients together
4. Place brownie batter in a pan
5. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until thoroughly cooked

Top with marshmellow or whatever your heart desires!

Have a good great one

Rove the Cove 5k

My day began with my alarm going off approximately 8:00 a.m. I quickly got ready for the race and drove to the race park with my new roommate, Eden.

Our pre-race morning included registering, getting t-shirts, having performance power bars, and warming up.

The race was supposed to begin at 9:30 a.m., however it didn’t start until 9:45 am. I ran the 5k course in 23:12 and was the 23 overall runner out of 137 runners. I placed 5^th among all female runners at the race.

Afterwards, we enjoyed participating in a raffle and I won a 50 dollar gift certificate to a dentist office while my roommate won free pizza!

The weather was beautiful and was glad that I decided to participate in Rove the Cove 5k.

Afterwards, we enjoyed Tropical smoothies.

Tropical Smoothie for Two

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed fruit such as pineapple, mango, and oranges
• 1 scoop protein powder or 8 oz greek yogurt
• ¾ cup milk
• sweetener such as agave
• 2 refrigerated bananas
• optional: whipped topping and a cherry

Directions: Blend everything and then top with whipped topping

Have an excellent week

Sunday and a Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

It’s been almost a year since I’ve updated my main page and have officially decided to start blogging again! I’ve been updating my daily update log, however stay in tune for an update on About me and some terrific recipes!

This morning I am returning to school by Boston, with my mom. Today is the last day of Spring break.

Early this morning after packing, I made us both Strawberry-banana smoothies

These smoothies takes five minutes to make and are an easy, delicious, and nutritious meal, which are my three favorite adjectives to create a quick, satisfying to-go meal!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Banana Smoothies

Serves 2.

• 2 cups non-dairy milk
• 2 frozen banana
• 1-2 scoops protein powder
• vanilla extract
• sweeter  to taste such as agave, honey, nunaturals, or sugar

Some optional food to add to this recipe includes coconut butter or shreds, another fruit such as mangos and peaches, and fruit-juice such as orange juice

I would definitely recommend adding some delicious toppings to the smoothie such as a scoop of non-dairy (or regular) ice cream, whipped cream, and your favorite sprinkles, all topped with Marcello cherries!

Directions: Blend everything, then add toppings.

Enjoy at work, in car rides, and watching TV!

Have a great day

-Michelle AKA Chocolate-Coated Runner

5k Race and Summer time!

Today I received first place for my age group in a local 5k race. 

The race included:

• An award ceremony
• Bagels, fruit, and drinks
• T-shirts
• Massages
• Tables with raffles to enter

I received a metal and a gift certificate to a sports store.

Thursday I came home from my third year college! I am so excited because I am moving into an apartment near my hometown for the first time in my ! 

I’ve never lived on my own before, so this is going to be quite an experience. I can’t wait, and I am going to learn so much about myself and life in general. I live on my own at school, so I have some experience with living without family, but there aren’t going to be other college students around me like they are at school.

While I was packing to come home from school the other day, I was listening to Rascal Flatts and really enjoyed their song, “Bless The Broken Road.” Here are the lyrics that really got to me in a good way, “But now I’m just rolling home into my lover’s arms, This much I know is true, That God blessed the broken road, That led me straight to you,” I love this quote!

My workout Thursday included a 3 mile tempo run, 20 minutes on the tread-climber, 15 minutes weight-machines, and 10 minutes ab-exercises. It was a great workout and I finished up the last few hours of my Junior year with this workout. The next time that I go to this particular gym will be at the end of this summer!

This summer I am going to:

• keep up with my daily workouts
• work a lot
• take summer university courses including ‘American Politics’ and ‘Law and Society’
• hang out with my boyfriend, friends, and family
• tan by the poolside
• cook up some meals
• continue to blog

What are your plans for this summer?

College is almost over

Today’s workout included a tempo run in the morning of 2 miles (with a 1 minute walk in between the miles) followed by 20 minutes weight-training. After classes, I decided to complete my morning workout with a 30 minute tread-climber workout and complete some more weight-training. I like working out twice a day, and I especially like running twice a day or completing my workout it all at once. In any case, these all work for me.

Yesterday’s workout included between a 3 to 4 mile run (at the track) followed up by 20 minutes on the elliptical and then 20 minutes Pilates. I incorporated calf raises, butterfly crunches, planks (front & side), and certain yoga poses as well. My run felt great, especially since it was after a rest day.

My Junior year of college is almost over. Time is flying by and I don’t want it to end!  It’s just a great experience and I’m learning so much, but there are some benefits of living at home:

-I like running outside much more at home

-I can play with my cat, Athena or Kitty (Athena is her nickname)

-Cooking and baking is possible (enough said)

-I can also use a blender (protein shakes!) and the toaster oven

-Rob lives close by so I can see him everyday

-My car is available for transportation (I don’t keep it on-campus)

-Laundry is easier to complete and less money

-I will be able to read magazines and newspapers when they arrive (instead of at a later time)

That pretty much sums it up.

Breakfast

Serves 1. Prep time: 5 minutes.

Dried Fruit, Nuts, and Yogurt bowl

Yogurt with Dried Fruits and Nuts!

Ingredients:

1 cup greek yogurt

a handful of dry fruit, about 1/3 cup

a handful or 1/4 cup salted nuts, any kind (unsalted is fine too, I used mixed cinnamin-sugar nuts)

2 T honey or agave

optional: freeze-dried fruit and/or nut butter

Directions: Mix it all up and enjoy!

What movies have you watched lately?

Some movies and shows that me and Rob watched included A Walk to Remember starring Mandy Moore and Paranormal Activity 2 (freaky!). We also enjoyed Sex and the City episodes and part of Iron Man.

Post-Workout Snack: Lettuce with peppers, cucumbers, and salad dressing

Have an awesome Wednesday everyone!