Ask me why I blog and I’ll tell you a few different things. I love the motivation to continue to achieve my goals with the option of sharing on here, I love the connections I’ve made with people all over the world, and I love the inspiration I find to bake and create new treats in my kitchen. I also reallllyyy love getting free stuff.
Vega is one of the few vegan friendly products I will buy. These recover bars are ideal after a long run for me. While I’d much rather refuel with whole foods, sometimes when I’m in a pinch a bar with 15G of plant based protein, and an ingredient list that I understand works for me! I was given these bars for free, but the opinion is my own.
Speaking of bars, I am taking a bit of a break from treats (again.) I do this from time to time, but I’m trying to find loopholes. Instead of buying a rice milk ice cream bar with over 20G of sugar, I opted for these Mojo bars. They rock my face reallllll hard.
They still have sugar, but I treat them like a candy bar. They are so freaking GOOD! After my half marathon this weekend (EEEK) I will be face planting a giant cupcake for sure.
SPEAKING OF SUGAR, it’s officially Frappuccino Happy Hour at Starbucks. AKA from 3-5 PM all fraps are half off. AKA I have never hated fraps more in my life. Thankfully I mainly work mornings, but this Saturday I have the pleasure of handcrafting sugar bombs from 8a-5p. UGH. My shoulders already hurt from all the syrup pumping to come.
Speaking of Starbucks, (I’m purposely working these smooth transitions into this post) I bought myself a new mug. This is the 4th mug I’ve purchased since starting at the Bucks last year. I wait for the mugs to go on sale, and then I pounce. I spent $3.79 on this.
Speaking of mugs/jars/glass stuff, (last segue I promise) I bought these measuring cups months ago from World Market, and never got around to sharing.
I love.
Tip of the day: If you must buy yourself a half off frap, try one of my favorite creations. Get a coffee frappuccino (because this is just coffee and a skosh of milk (I use soy) ) and sub in a banana INSTEAD of the sugar frap base. The banana acts as a binding agent and the base is no longer needed. This makes your “frap” just coffee, milk, banana, and ice.
Also, don’t be a douche. Tip the baristas.
Q: How do you recover after an intense workout?
50 thoughts on “Speaking of…”
Britta
Bah! What time is your race on Sunday? Mine is at 830.. so maybe we will be running TOGETHER? But not really, but you know what I mean!! You are going to rock it! Your frap alternative sounds so good, I haven’t had a frap in years and years because I got into a sugar coma..I remember wanting to shank every customer that ordered a frap at sbux over the summer (sorrynotsorry)! Your mason jar measuring cups are adorable and I absolutely WANT THEM! SO great!
Have a great run on Sunday, KILL IT!! And I am sure I will talk to you before then anyway ❤
Amalia
Britta (sorry to jump in) are you running the half or full this weekend? I’m doing the 8km! We may finish at a similar time!
Britta
I’m doing the FULL! Good luck this weekend!! Maybe meet up before depending on your start time? Text me – I will be there around 745!
Amalia
My start time is 9:30 so I will probably just be leaving my house around 7:45 or 8. Congratulations on the FULL! That’s so impressive. I wish you an AMAZING race.
Brittany
MY race is at 8! We will be running together, I will think of you!!! I literally said these exact words yesterday to my friend, “I wanted to shank every person that ordered a frap today.” BAHAH WE are indeed soul mates.
Britta is running the FULL…BEAST!
Lauren
My mom would LOVE those mason jar measuring cups, so cute!!! Thank you for not adding penis photography in this post – hahah! 😉 Recovering includes protein shake and h2o!!!
Brittany
OH, but I DID put a penis photo. Look closely at the banana and kiwi placing in the photo of my new mug…BAHAHAHA. I don’t think I will ever grow up.
Lauren
Hahaha OMG yesssssss!
di @ life of di.
I LOVE those Mason Jar measuring cups 🙂 So cute! Looks like I need to hit up World Market this weekend and see if they are available at mine! Also, I love Vega products – I just wish they were a bit cheaper. I totally think they are worth a bit of the price (I love the ingredients and quality) but they could be even a little bit cheaper (in my opinion, of course!)
Brittany
I completely agree, the steep price keeps me from buying all that often. It’s a once in a while thing for me!!
Food, Booze, & Baggage
The measuring cups or so cute…why have they not shown up in a recipe picture yet??? Ugg…I hated making blended drinks. We had a mocha shake which was ice cream and an espresso shot…those were the worst because you had to hand-scoop the ice cream.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I’ve heard about that banana frap tip! But do they actually do that? Because as much as I love my Pike, I wouldn’t mind something different every now and again… especially now that the weather is warming up. And those measuring cups… insane cuteness.
Brittany
YES, all you have to do is ask!!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy
LOVE those measuring cups!
I love Mojo bars, they are my go to for hiking trips!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Those measuring cups are classy and fun and all that is right. Great find!!!
Change of Pace
The measuring cups are gorgeous!
And I can’t believe you’re running a race this weekend- GOOD LUCK!! And enjoy the post-race food 🙂
I’ve been bad at fuelling properly after a tough workout since I’m not training for anything. This week I started trying to refuel better, and I’ve noticed a difference!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Wait a minute… are you telling me that I can really ask for a banana instead of the frap base? I’ve never heard this before!
Also, those mason jar measure cups… way too cute! I just love it! I need to check our World Market to see if they have it!
Brittany
You sure can!! The bananas are always on deck for smoothies, so ask for one in your next frap! 😉
P
The mason jar measuring cups are ADORABLE!
Amy
Girl, I can’t even imagine what Happy Hour is like!! The barista at my closest Starbucks warned me about it, telling me to stay away if I’m not a fan of frappuccinos. Your poor things! I hope the customers are nice, or at least decent, or at least bearable. Nothing like rude customers who just want discounted drinks! But I love, love, love your creation. It’s really tempting to stop by and order one just to try it — although I could probably make my own at home and avoid the crowds! 😉 And those measuring cups?? SOOO cute!!
Brittany
I would definitely just make my own! I only have one every so often, and only because they are free! 😉
Melanie
I’ve heard a lot about Vega lately, but haven’t tried any of their bars yet. They look good though! Those measuring cups are the cutest things I’ve ever seen. LOVE!
Amalia
Those mason jar measuring cups. What is world market and can I access it online! Also, did you get my email reply? I have a funny feeling my emails haven’t been working lately since a few people aren’t getting my replies – so if you haven’t I will try again!
Also, Frappuccino Happy Hour = death. I remember.
Brittany
AH, no I didn’t get your reply!? :(. I thought of you (and Britta) while writing the part about frappy hour. You two are my fellow baristas.
Amalia
I re-sent it so hopefully it works! Oh frappy hour…. just… ugh. I used to trade shifts to have all 4:30am – 1pm before they realized they were trading me for frappy hour. Then I’d open, prep, and be tired, but escape the madness!
Nikki@will run for pizza
I love those clif bars, but I think I need to try those Vega bars! I’m a “bar” fanatic. Hey, it could be worse. 😉
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
The measuring cups are adorable. I love them, and I also own enough measuring cups so unless I can justify it as a prop for pictures, I probably won’t be getting any new ones. Speaking of (like that segue), I actually got rid of some coffee mugs this week. They were old and needed to go and my coffee cup shelf was starting to get out of control. It was time for a purge, but I was still sad to see them go.
Good Luck on the race this week. I know you’ll do great and love every second of it, especially the cupcake face plant at the end.
kadeecramer
I have a hard time resisting delicious bars. I’ve been known to (nearly) mow down old ladies in an attempt to get past the granola/breakfast/energy bar section while grocery shopping to avoid spending all our money on them.
Good luck on your race!
Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani)
Speaking of, I LOVE these random ass posts ;)! I totally need to try that banana frap trick. I used to love fraps but now find them overly sweet- this seems like the perfect solution! My favorite way to recover after an intense workout is buying getting a massage- thank goodness they cost about 10 bucks in Mumbai for an hour!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
Move in and be my person barista. Since you love free stuff so much I’ll feed you endless amounts. How does that sound?!
Brittany
YES FEED ME. Deal DEAL DEAL!
Boise Runner (@RunInBoise)
I wasn’t planning on a sugar bomb frap (I actually want a green tea lemonade now that its 80 degrees out!) but subbing the banana actually makes it sounds pretty tempting!
karla @ finding my fit
Don’t be a douche tip your barista-hahah! I laughed hard at my desk
I will have to try that frap idea even though i always stick with just my americano. that sounds like it’ll be a good idea if the warm weather EVER comes to wisco.
Megan
OH THAT LOOKS AWESOME. If only starbucks had unsweetend almond milk… what if i brought my own in, would they allow it?!?! text me this answer before tomorrow morning, i have a hot date at SBUCKS
katalysthealth
I got my sweatpink VEGA samples as well, but I got the pre-workout, which I’m stoked to try! I’m actually not big on frapps, I’m more of an iced coffee fan. Black iced coffee with a pump of toffee nut and I’m on my way! Do they have a half off iced coffee day? 😉
Choc Chip Uru
Those mason jar measuring cups are the cutest ever 😀
Delicious looking VEGA samples as well!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Ashley
Um, so I didn’t know one of the new Vega flavors is chocolate mint! I gotta get my hands on that, it’s my favorite chocolate flavor combo. Hopefully it’s not disappointing like the chocolate mint Larabar was!
I always go for a black iced coffee from Starbucks but I may have to try the banana frapp trick while it’s half off! Then it would be more like a smoothie, aka healthy 😛
The vegan 8
Omg I love those measuring cups!!! Want!! Need to go to world market. Girl you and me and works market and sweets would have a jolly old time, LOL!! Those bars look soooo good, checking them out the next time I’m at the store!
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Must Find Measuring Cups. Those things are SWEET! Good for you for giving up sweets for a bit. I always try and find it so hard! It’s smart to find better alternatives. I should give that a try, as I’m taking this whole “need to gain weight” thing a little to loosely, haha. Super duper good luck inyour half! Can’t wait to hear/read about it 🙂
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
Thanks for the awesome frap idea! I always feel weird asking for high-maintenance things at Starbucks even though I was a barista so I know all things are possible if people just explain what they want haha. I never realized how awful it would be for the employees during this happy hour but man that sounds stressful haha. Also, I have a serious case of envy over those measuring cups. That blue is gorgeous!
Hannah
I love your measuring cups!!
When I was barista a million years ago blended coffee drinks were the absolute enemy. No one wanted to work the blender bar. And this was all in Texas where it’s summer for 9 months. Nooooo!!!! Good luck and drink lots of normal coffee to get through it!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
I love SFH whey after a hard workout!
jessiebearwhat
God I love mojo bars
Emily
Ohhhh boy, I remember Frap Happy-Hour when I was working at Starbucks. Horrible!
Like you, I mainly worked in the morning but those dreaded afternoon shifts killed me. Wishing you luck over the next few days!
Those measuring cups are absolutely adorable!
Oh and PS: I totally used to read your blog waaay back when and just rediscovered it. Happy to be back! xoxo
apartmentwife
i’m always up for trying new bars, but i love love love making my own – have you ever tried? it’s pretty easy with a food processor 🙂 and that mason jar measuring thingamabob is awesome– want!
jessielovestorun
I always tear up a little during half off fraps @ starbucks, as they don’t offer the same deal here in Kuwait! Shitty I tell ya.. just shitty! Ha Ha!
allieksmith
The measuring cups you bought are so cute! I love mason jars.. especially blue ones! I’m sorry about the frap happy hour, yikes haha!! My sister loves fraps, but I’m more into lattes 🙂
Kelsey
I want those measuring cups! I’m pretty obsessed with jars as it is and this would be taking it to another level!
ambereats
I JUST tried your frap creation! After a little bit of hesitance from the person taking my order, and overhearing one of the baristas saying “this is so gross,” I got it, and it was amazing!!! I will have to endure the hardcore judging from the baristas because this is a new favorite!
Brittany
BAHA I LOVE IT! SO funny what the barista said, I guarantee they will try it though. I got one yesterday too, and it was the first one I had in MONTHS. I welcomed it with open arms. If you REALLY wanna be complicated you can order espresso shots INSTEAD of the frap roast (they’ll know what you mean by this.) That’s what I do, it really brings out the coffee flavor!! Basically it’s breaking down the entire coffee frap recipe and building it back up, in a “better” way…HA!