Author Archives: Brittany

• Brain Splurge with a Side of Fun Facts

  Posted at 6:43 AM by Brittany, on December 30, 2014

  Whole lotta random coming atcha in 3…2…1…

  – Christmas was great this year, calm and casual just the way I like it. I gifted my mom tickets to see one of my favorite artists, because he happens to be playing with the Seattle Symphony. I knew she would like the symphony, and I would like him. Win.

  

  Fun Fact: I’ve never been to a concert. Unless you count a local radio stations throw together of artists that I went to when I was 12 with my friend and her dad. All I remember is a light up pin and ear plugs. I’m not going to count that.– I escaped to the mountains on another solo hike last week. I decided waiting on other people wasn’t worth it, so off I went with my Mace and kitchen knife.

  

  Fun Fact: I LOVE the look of rustic, old, and tattered things. Buildings, cars, boats, you name it. I drove past that boat pictured above many times and finally stopped to take a picture. Look close and you’ll spy a chicken and a cow.– I have officially entered the world of plant based caramel sauce. I hesitate to say “vegan” because I do use honey, but it’s close enough folks. Here is is pictured with a recipe I plan to share later this week. I’m absolutely obsessed.

  

  Fun Fact: This recipe inspired me to start making more raw like treats.– I’m in Arizona until the 4th of January. Mountains no longer look the same as the above photo from my solo hike. Not a green tree in sight, just red red rocks.

  

  Entering desert land, last of the white mountains.

  

  Fun Fact: Sunshine is a drug, and I’m prepared to overdose.-I’ve started training for my next half marathon in March. Running in Arizona has been an ego boost of sorts. FLAT lands mean quicker paces. Busting out an average 9:20 pace after taking months off doesn’t happen in my area, much too hilly.

  

  Fun Fact: Arizona is having one of its coldest winters. Almost feels like home.

   Q: What’s your fun fact of the day?

  

  | 72 Comments Tagged Arizona, Fun fact, Half Marathon, Random, Run, Vacation

• “Nearly Raw” – Chocolate Banana Coffee Squares

  Posted at 6:28 AM by Brittany, on December 27, 2014

  I know what you’re thinking, “nearly raw, how can you be nearly raw?” Said in a tone similar to Hermione Granger upon meeting Nearly Headless Nick. Aside from a couple ingredients in this recipe everything is raw, thus “nearly” raw.

  Just roll with it.

  

  Christmas has come and gone, which means it’s time for the next seasonal coffee at Starbucks. Casi Cielo is back (available to the public soon) and this meant a coffee tasting was in order. A smooth, single origin coffee with notes of lemon and cocoa.

  I paired this with a creamy, chocolate bar made from dates, bananas, and almonds. Naturally sweetened with honey and maple, & topped with ground coffee of course.

  Chocolate Banana Coffee Squares

  

  Ingredients

  • 12 medium sized medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate salted almonds <—definitely not raw
  • 1/4 cup raw walnuts
  • 2 medium sized ripe bananas, the spottier the better
  • 1/4 cup raw almond butter
  • 1.5 tblsp raw honey
  • 1.5 tblsp maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 tblsp fresh UNbreweed ground coffee beans ( I suggest a coffee with natural cocoa notes, but if you don’t care use whatever. I used Starbucks Ethiopia beans)
  • pinch of lemon zest (optional)

  

  Directions

  First: Soak your dates in warm water for about 30 minutes. Once soaked, add dates into a high speed blender (or food processor) along with chocolate salted almonds, and walnuts. Blend or mix until well combined and then pour into a medium sized pan, about 8 x 6 in. Spread date mix evenly into the pan.

  Second: Blend your bananas into a mash, and then add almond butter, honey, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. Blend until well combined. Pour this mix onto the evenly spread date mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle coffee grounds over the top and swirl into the mix until no dry particles are visible. Or you can blend this in before pouring.

  Once everything is combined place into freezer to set. Freeze time may vary, and I left mine to set overnight. These are very creamy and need to stay in the freezer when not being consumed. Eating the entire pan can help prevent melting.

  

  I decided not only did these squares need a dust of lemon zest, they needed ice cream, and an affogato shot. I needed an adult ice cream sundae.

  Tasting Notes: The cocoa matched perfectly, and the lemon zest on top complemented the lemon notes within the beans. I was surprised by how the flavors in the coffee really brought out the banana flavor of the bars. Next time I think I’ll try this pairing without the bananas because although delicious, the banana flavor was a bit strong for this specific coffee tasting. I still ate a handful with a side of coffee.

  

  A perfect way to end the Christmas season.

  Q: What’s your favorite “raw” recipe? 

  

  | 41 Comments Tagged Coffee, Coffee Master, Coffee Tasting, Recipe, Starbucks

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:09 AM by Brittany, on December 22, 2014

  1. On Friday I went to my first spin class in weeks. I was quickly reminded why it’s important to stay on top of cardio. Holy tired sweat fest. So I went again yesterday for 90 min spin, and then went for a 2 hr hike. Time to get back in running shape.

  2. Last week I got an e-mail informing me that if I bought a $30 gift card at The Veggie Grill I would get a free entree. I bought the card…for myself. Then I ate a free meal.

  

  “BLT” with smoked tempeh bacon, avocado, and a garlic aioli on sourdough. Swoon.

  3. I balanced out my selfish gift card purchase by sharing a $5 oatmeal cookie with a stranger on the streets of Seattle. I hope she enjoyed it more than I did.

  4. I’ve been branching out of my drip coffee bubble and getting something different. Americanos have a caramel sweetness to them thanks to the espresso beans.

  

  This goes so well with my morning apple or banana.

  5. I have been driving my car without a hubcap for OVER TWO YEARS NOW. I inquired about a new one once, but decided I was too cheap to buy one.

  6. Looks like my patience payed off because my amazing coworker/friend (he chose me for his secret Santa) BOUGHT ME A NEW HUBCAP! SO JAZZED.

  

  7. I won a coffee selling competition at work, and the prize is a trip to the new reserve roasting plant with my boss and the aforementioned coworker (he won the following week.) Basically my boss is paying for us to go to Seattle and drink coffee.

  8. Lily…makes…gorgeous….things. Click here for adorable stuff.

  

  9. Once upon a time I used to drink one cup of coffee. One. And I wouldn’t even finish it. Lately I’ve been drinking nearly my entire morning French press. It’s soothing.

  10. FIVE MORE SLEEPS UNTIL I’M SUNNING MY SKIN IN ARIZONA!

  

  AZ MTNS

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 69 Comments Tagged Arizona, Cardio, Coffee, Confessions, Spinning, Starbucks

• What’s a Party without Cookies?

  Posted at 4:01 AM by Brittany, on December 18, 2014

  After a month and a half, I finally got my fanny in my kitchen and baked. Nothing new, and nothing too wild, but boy did it feel good. Work party = cookies.

  

  I made my favorite chocolate chip coffee cookies, because what’s a Starbucks party without coffee in your cookies. I subbed some Trader Joe’s chocolate bars for chocolate chips, which resulted in chocolate CHUNK cookies. So.Good.

  

  I was amazed by how different each of the chocolate bars I used were. Of course I had to sample them as I chopped them up. My next goal <—chocolate connoisseur.

  

  I used decaf Christmas blend in these cookies because I wanted to highlight the beauty of this blend, but I also wanted to sleep that night. Thus decaf. While I waited for my second batch of cookies to bake I had a quick and easy coffee tasting.

  

  Tasting Notes: Christmas blend has been a yearly tradition for the last 30 years. It was first introduced with the hopes of building a small following, and has become one of the most popular blends Starbucks sells. Rare aged Sumatra beans give this blend a spicy, cedar, and syrupy flavor that pairs well with the flavors of the season.

  The coffee itself has an intense, but lovely bite to it, and the cookies have a smooth and subtle sweetness. The spice from the coffee balanced well with the sweet from the cookie. Cookies and coffee were made for each other, wouldn’t you agree?

  Good friends, good food, good life.

  Q: Do you have holiday work parties? I have the most amazing coworkers, we enjoy spending time together outside of work. It’s quite a blessing. 

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Christmas, Coffee Master, Coffee Tasting, Cookies, Starbucks, Vegan

• Empty Mind, Filled Soul

  Posted at 4:40 AM by Brittany, on December 15, 2014

  I have a tendency to wander. Wander in life, wander in my mind, and wander with decisions. I often end up with three cupcakes instead of one because life is too short to settle on one thing. I adore this mindset, but sometimes it backfires. I don’t necessarily feel lost, just a bit ADD at times. Tolkien said it best after all. 

  As I mentioned in my last post, I’m <finally> on a break from school for the remainder of the month. Despite the fact that my final was last Wednesday, I skipped out on studying last Monday and headed to the mountains instead. I needed to wander.

  

  It had been two months since I last hiked, and three months since I had been to the area where I spent most of my summer exploring.

  

  What was once a simple 4 mile hike that I could do with my eyes shut, quickly became a moderately difficult hike that caused me to loose my breath a handful of times.

  It was never “I need to stop I’m going to die” difficult, but it wasn’t a cake walk like it used to be. This made the view from the top very rewarding.

  

  I can’t put into words the feeling I got when I stepped foot on those rocks. I almost wanted to cry. After struggling to find my footing with a school/life balance the last few months this solo hike was beyond necessary. I was the only person at the top and I took full advantage of it because this hike is typically PACKED with people.

  No people means you have to take your own photo at the top. I hate selfies, but I tried.

  

  No adventure to the mountains would be complete without a solid refuel. I needed a foodie adventure because as I previously mentioned, my eats have been rather boring.

  I drove all around Seattle for some good eats <—true story.

  

  I didn’t plan on a slice of pizza, but once I saw it I had to have it.

  I found my way to a local vegan bakery that I had been wanting to try for a while.

  

  Lemon blueberry cupcake.

  

  Chocolate mousse filled cupcake.

  I also snagged a mini pumpkin bread, which didn’t stand a chance for a photo. I tornado inhaled that the second I got back to my car. I got concerned stares.

  ..but when treats taste this good, all cares go out the window.

  

  They say to do what you love and the money will follow, but what if you’re not concerned about money? Sure I want to be able to survive, but I’m a minimalist and I’m OK with a minimal lifestyle. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that today my soul is filled, and my life is balanced once again.

  Q(s): 

  • Thoughts? 
  • Cookies or cupcakes?
  • Did you settle on one thing you wanted to do for a living? I suspect I’m going to be a personal chef/mountain tour guide/novice blogger/treat baker/coffee guru/cat wrangler for many years to come – – – for now I’m OK with that. 

  

  | 80 Comments Tagged Explore, Hiking, Rattlesnake Ridge, Vegan

• What Chemistry Taught Me about Life

  Posted at 5:30 AM by Brittany, on December 11, 2014

  If you’re ready for a roller coaster post sit tight because this one is for you. If you’re not, skip it and come back later this week – I’ll have something witty I’m sure.

  I’m going to keep this as simple and straight forward as possible because thick/chunky paragraphs are only meant for essay papers. I have officially finished the chemistry class I’ve been taking for the last 3 months, and my soul is completely stripped.

  I realize I sound dramatic, but really, I can’t remember a time when I’ve been as miserable as I have been the last few months. I have a tendency to be a perfectionist in certain areas, and when I struggle at this I’m affected all over.

  I basically lost control over my life because I was putting too much energy into ONE class. I gained weight, I used food as comfort, I cried (a LOT), I stressed every day, and I missed my job. I was working smaller shifts and really missed my full days.

  

  A simple coffee tasting to bring me back to life. A Starbucks reserve coffee with apricot and maple notes upfront, and ending with a chocolaty mouthful.

  I am completely aware that many people can handle one class like this (and then some,) but I clearly could not. Sure, I’ve taken full class loads in the past (including 2 chem classes!), but I never took things as seriously as I do now. Despite the fact my grades have all been decent, it wasn’t until this year I decided to really give school 100%. This class showed me I wasn’t able to handle stress as well as I thought I was.

  I’m happy to report that as I got closer to the end of it all, my ability to stay calm and collected grew immensely. Chemistry taught me to stay calm when my life felt wild.

  

  Quiet. Calm. Content

  To be honest the thought of taking the next level of this class, plus an additional year of the heavier duty chemistry classes (on top of multiple other classes) makes me want to barf. I’m fully aware that nothing worth having comes easy, but here’s the problem: I’m still not 100% sure what I want to do with my life. I am completely happy where I am right now, and yet I continue to try and squeeze a square into a shape fit for a circle. So what does this mean? I have no idea.

  I’m not saying I’m done with this path, I just don’t know where the next bend in the road is. Maybe I’m a quitter, maybe I’m lost, maybe I don’t have what it takes, or maybe I’m at a point in my life where I realize each second I get on this earth is precious and should never be spent doing things my heart isn’t fully invested in. I want to finish my degree, and I know I will, but I don’t know when or where.

  What I do know is that I am comfortable being uncomfortable about my future. I’m comfortable working two jobs (most of you don’t know this, but along with Starbucks I’m also a certified caregiver through Washington state. I only provide “care” for my sister, but it’s a nice additional paycheck for something I’d be doing anyway.)

  

  My sister Tiffany and I, aka T-money.

  Helping my family is a priority.

  I’m writing this post because I know I’m not alone. I know there are a handful of people out there that are in the same boat as I am, and this is to let you know that YOU are not alone. It’s more common than we think to be lost all the way through our mid 20’s. Trust me, I have my days of feeling like a “loser,” but really where does that get me, and who gets to determine the validity of that? I’m happy, I’m healthy, and I have a job I love that allows me to live a lifestyle I am happy with. It’s not my ending point, but it’s my segue into a bigger picture that hasn’t been painted yet.

  Update: I wrote this post a week before finishing my class and left it in my draft bin. I have signed up for the next section of chemistry and plan to continue forward with my current goal, but wanted to share my thoughts about where I’ve been mentally the last few months. Also, don’t be shocked if I change my path again in the near future. I’m notorious for that. 

  No questions, just thoughts and input!

  

  | 93 Comments

• Three Updates

  Posted at 7:28 AM by Brittany, on December 8, 2014

  Running – Anyone notice minimal run talk around these parts lately? That’s because this is what my Garmin looks like right meow…

  

  Dead battery. It’s been dead for….a while. I haven’t charged it because I haven’t wanted to use it. Instead, I’ve been running 2-3 milers on my treadmill every few days.

  I’m happy to report that my semi running break inspired me to look for my next race, and I’m all signed up for this St.Paddy’s Day Run in March. Every year I tell myself I won’t run a race between Jan-March because it’s SO COLD before hand, but every year I do. LOCAL runners: SIGN UP NOW before a price increase!

  Work – Work is fantastic, as per usual. Starbucks just opened the most gorgeous roasting plant I have ever seen. I haven’t seen it live yet, but am planning a trip in January with a few fellow coworkers. Click the photo below for a quick article.

  

  I’m almost embarrassed (but not really) to admit how obsessed I am with this place. I cannot wait to see it. Once I arrive I will force them to hire me. I’m so thankful to work near the birthplace of this coffee company.

  It’s not easy to describe, but Starbucks is different in Washington, more specific Starbucks is different the closer you get to Seattle. There’s a sense of pride in the product that I sadly don’t see when I travel to Starbucks locations in other states. Basically what I’m saying is if you have a sour impression about Starbucks, you must get to Seattle and experience the passion and love that goes into each and every cup.

  Let me know when you’re here, and I’ll meet you for a tasting. 🙂

  Food – Not much food talk around here lately either. That’s not because I haven’t been eating, but simply because I’ve been eating the same quick and easy things all day erryday. School sucks the joy out of everything.

  Lots of pumpkin, lots of vegetables, lots of bananas, lots of almond butter, and too many handfuls of these chocolate covered crack cluster nuts. Say that 5x fast.

  

  Chocolate salted almonds. Costco did me dirty.

  Q: Give me an update, I’ve been semi MIA in blogland lately. 

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Coffee, Costco, Running, Starbucks, Work

• Fridays Fantastic Five

  Posted at 6:39 AM by Brittany, on December 5, 2014

  1. This box spoke to me. It said,”fill me with naughty treats because you need more insulation.” <–That’s not true, so the box was lying. Either way I love it.

  

  2. I found a dollar coin in the parking lot after finishing chem class this week. It was like a glimmer of magical hope after one too many molarity equations.

  

  3. Starbucks ornaments. Enough said.

  

  4. The mountains surrounding my living space have been large and in change lately. Sunny yet freezing days mean clean, snowy, BLUE mountain tops. If I can’t be on the mountain, I’m thankful I can at least see them all around me.

  

  Not the best photo, but you get the idea.

  5. Cookies twice in one day. Despite the fact that neither of these instances offered any “Brittany friendly” cookies, the gestures behind them sparked my fire higher than The General Sherman Tree. Instance #1- Partner appreciation cookies at work.

  

  Sorry friends, these chocolate coated shortbread cookies are not available for the public. I gave mine to my mama!

  Instance # 2- The kid I sit by in chem class gave a plate of cookies he made to me and the girl on my other side (I sit in the middle.) There is a special bond chemistry students develop with each other, and I’m not talking about ionic or covalent. We all laugh, cry, and bleed the same while stuffing our brains with painful knowledge.

  He’s my new favorite person, and such a precious high school child.

  

  Naturally I started and finished this post by talking about cookies. Happy Friday.

  Q: What’s one of your Friday favorites? 

  

  | 42 Comments Tagged Christmas, Cookies, Random, Starbucks

• Going with the Flow

  Posted at 6:13 AM by Brittany, on December 2, 2014

  Sometimes unexpected things happen. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned how to (mostly) accept unplanned situations that arise. Case in point: last Saturday I had plans to see Mockingjay at 3:45, any later & I turn into a walking zombie. Come to find out the universe had alternate plans for me, and I noticed I had a flat tire.

  I knew my chances of making the 3:45 movie were impossible once the man at the tire shop told me it would take 3-4 hours to fix. This also happened to be the day of our first snow fall, and freezing temperatures causing every hermit and their moms to crawl out and prep for the winter season. To make matters worse my house lost power.

  

  My room was as dark as this brownie…darker even.

  No power means no heat.

  So there I was at home (thanks to my wonderful mother swooping me up from the tire shop) wearing enough layers to give a blubbered elephant seal a run for their money, with no car, and no movie. I was calm, collected, and OK with this unexpected change in plans. Why? Because I am the only person with the power to prevent negativity.

  

  Layers like this, but inside, and with no bike.

  I chose optimism and spewed positive thoughts. I now have a fixed tire, and made it to the 6:30 movie (no zombie), which was fantastic by the way. It’s natural to be upset when things don’t go as planned, but choosing how to react is entirely up to you.

  Go with the flow, it requires less energy.

  Q: Who saw Mockingjay? Thoughts?

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Life, Random, Winter

• Traveling the World One Bite at a Time

  Posted at 7:20 AM by Brittany, on November 28, 2014

  I hope everyone woke up safely from their Thanksgiving day comas. I volunteered to sling coffee all morning to ensure maximum movement, which enabled me to eat all the food. I’ll spare you any photos and just tell you I’m still obsessed with squash.

  I made GF biscuits for the first time, and I ate so many I had my own turkey wattle.

  

  I did manage to get a run in after I worked the morning shift!

  After my encounter with these bark thins last week I decided to take a break from sweets for a whopping five days. It’s amazing how such a short time can help balance things back out. I was getting wayyy too comfortable eating all the chocolate.

  

  This leads me to the topic of this post. How freaking cute is this chocolate passport?! I’m seriously so obsessed I don’t even want to eat them!…but I will.

   

  

  I found these at Trader Joe’s last weekend while I was shopping to escape chemistry homework, I call it grocery store therapy. Each chocolate is from a different location, ranging from 60-73 percent dark chocolate. Bring on the antioxidants!

   

  

  I think my favorite part is the addition of an ideal pairing. I’m all about pairings and tastings as most of you know, so this tickled my fancy big time. Tickle tickle.

  This makes the perfect holiday gift for…yourself.

  

  One of these bars has an ideal pairing of a cappuccino, but I suspect all of them will be good with a coffee like Caffe Verona or Ethiopia. Both have strong cocoa notes.

  Speaking of coffee, I just realized it’s almost December and I never brought out my fall coffee mug. I rotate between 3-4 mugs throughout the year, and the beginning of fall means it’s time for my favorite pumpkin orange mug. Coffee is better in a good mug.

  

  27 days until Christmas…just thought you should know.

  Q: Are you a sucker for great marketing? Guilty as charged. 

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Chocolate, Coffee, Starbucks, Trader Joes, Vegan

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• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, deep connections, exploration, and lots of potatoes.

• If this blog does not meet your standards, please lower your standards.

• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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