Author Archives: Brittany

• Five Reasons Why I Won’t Meet My Husband at the Gym

  Posted at 8:29 AM by Brittany, on November 14, 2013

  Do you ever notice those people at the gym that just glow? They have a sexy factor of 10/10 , and it’s almost like they float while they are sweating just the right amount…I am NOT one of those people. Some people meet their soul mates at they gym, but let me tell you why that will never happen to me…

  

  1. Unless I go to the gym after work, I don’t have a drop of makeup on. I literally roll out of bed at times and still have the, “I look like I got mauled by bees because my face is so swollen”/sleepy face. Then again, I barely wear makeup anyway.

  2. I don’t glisten, I look like Free Willy emptied his blow hole all over my face 5 minutes into a good workout. I’m not complaining, in fact I LOVE when I start to drip sweat..but boy do I look like a hot mess. I sometimes even drip from my forearms..WOOF.

  

  No…that’s not a bald spot. My hair is so full of sweat it’s matted itself together exposing my scalp. This picture does no justice to my entire body.

  3. I don’t always have fresh shaved legs..or pits..and I wear tank tops. I’ll spare you that photo. I guess I fit in with the hippies I danced with a few weeks ago more than I thought.

  4. My wardrobe is almost strictly for function, not for fashion. My clothes are old, and I roll my pants up if they are too long. My body parts need to stay in place, and cute tops and short shorts just don’t offer the function I need. I look like I got dressed in the dark.

  

  5. I’m channeling my inner hippie again with this, but I don’t wear deodorant. I will put some baking soda under my arms to help any odor, and in everyday life this works. At the gym, with a combination of wearing day old clothes and sporting Free Willy’s spit..well..I don’t smell like a fresh licked kitten I’ll just put it that way.

  I am sure there are many other reasons why I won’t find a date at the gym like when I grunt to clear my throat, or blow the sweat off my nose and it hits the wall, but I’m strictly there to workout and that’s exactly what I do! Alright, I’m off to torture my bum at spin!

  

  Q: What unattractive qualities or tendencies do you possess at the gym?

  

  | 68 Comments Tagged Gym, Spinning, Sweat

• Variety is the Spice of Life

  Posted at 4:52 AM by Brittany, on November 11, 2013

  When I first started increasing my running mileage I was all about long runs and slow paces. I was not a fan of the short sprint style runs, and swore I would always rather run 10 miles at a slower pace than run 2 miles at a quick pace. Well, that’s changed. Lately I dread longer runs, and have been avoiding them at all costs. What I am loving are shorter speedier runs (speedy for me..think 8:35min/mi) and LOTS of spin classes.

  

  May 2013 – 9 slooww miles.

  After my half marathon in October I was going to take a running break. By this I mean a scheduled running break, running only when I felt like it. Then I thought about running another half on December 1st, so I started training again a week ago. I’ve found myself skipping mid week runs for spin classes and cutting my long runs short. I just don’t have the desire to train for this race…at all. I need a break from the schedule, I need variety.

  

  Fast forward 4 months, and I chopped an entire minute off my 9mi pace. September 2013

  I am still going to run the half (as long as I can get the day off) but I am going to just have fun with it. I don’t really feel like “training” so I’m not going to. Forcing a run is NOT a good idea, so instead I have been switching up daily workouts and it’s been a blast! I hope that by continuing to do cardio and shorter, speedier mid week runs that I’ll be OK during the half..if I don’t post for a week after Dec 1st come looking for me.

  

  Ok, deal.

  Call me crazy, but I am really excited to run a half without much training. I think my foundation is solid enough that I wont hit the wall…I hope. As for speed, I’ve been running 2-4 milers and pushing myself to break into the 8min/mile range. I don’t know why I stayed in my comfort zone of 10min/miles for so long. About 6 months ago I pushed into the 9min/mile range..and then that got comfortable too. Short speed runs are fun!

  

  PLEASE, NO!

  In completely unrelated news I baked the most epic dessert the other day, but cannot show you until November 16th. The Virtual Vegan Potluck is back and I’m so jazzed for my addition to the party. The entire “thing” was gone in one night (I shared with my coworkers haha.) Also, I’ve been working A LOT lately and haven’t had much time to read blogs, my lack of comments on posts is simply due to being busy! I still love you.

  

  Mad love for you all. Hawaii 2009

  Q: Do you ever feel the need to take a break from certain workouts? I still love my short runs, and love all things running, but just don’t want to force the “long” runs right now! I’m A OK WITH THAT! Besides, I’m planning to run another half in March.

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Asics, Garmin, Random, Running, Vegan, Virtual Vegan Potluck

• Rainbows and Glitter

  Posted at 7:19 AM by Brittany, on November 6, 2013

  The support I received on my last post was amazing, and very appreciated. After reading through the comments and hearing some feedback, I think perhaps the post came off a bit heavier, or more depressing than I intended it to. Clearly my thoughts are still somewhat of a jumbled mess, and my transportation onto online paper was not a complete success. Overall my last post was meant to be a positive one. Despite some of the emotions I am still working through, I am optimistic and calm. I said I wasn’t good with these things!

  After attending another amazing spin class last night I think my words may have come to me in a way that makes more sense. Long story short is this..when I was in those moments during spin where I was pushing my body to its limits I realized how resilient I really am. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. This was the first time in months I felt my life having some kind of order, and the best way to continue is with these small routines.

  BOOM, OK I hope that came off more positive because despite the overwhelming support from my blog family on my last post, I did NOT want to be a Debbie downer! AIN’T no body got time fo dat! Now I want to list some things that make me happy. I want to puke rainbows and glitter in this post and make it disgustingly positive.

  • Leaf littered benches. Fall, you continue to steal my heart. ❤ swoon.
    

  

  • Balanced meals. It may be hard to believe with all the sweets I post, but this is the majority of what I eat. I don’t post my meals because they are boring, but man are they tasty. I would eat cupcakes all day if I could though..

  

  

  • Starbucks red cups. Everyone and their mom has posted about these, but my coffee really does taste so much better out of a holiday cup. It’s a scientific fact.

  

  • Spin. Well…duh.

  

  • COFFEE. I love everything about coffee, it just makes me feel so fuzzy inside and reminds me of crisp mountain mornings with a small layer of fog hiding the sun.

  

  I think I’m going to talk to my boss about becoming a coffee master at work! WHOOOO!

  • Cats. Call me crazy, but I feel like I’ve grown closer to my two cats the last 6 months. HAHA I have to laugh as I type that, but I am so serious! They are with me everywhere when I am home and they snuggle every night. It’s wonderful.

  

  

  Failed attempt at a cat beard. I promise I am not hurting him..

  • BLOG FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY! You all rock my socks and make me smile. Thanks for always hanging out with me during all my crazy blog shenanigans!

  Q: What makes you most happy right now??

  

  | 80 Comments Tagged Coffee, Emotions, Random, Spinning, Vegan

• Small Victories

  Posted at 8:53 AM by Brittany, on November 4, 2013

  The other night I attended my first spin class in almost 6 months. It’s hard to believe I used to go to spin 3-4 times a week for over a year. While my unaccustomed backside cried out in discomfort from the saddle, and my legs screamed in pain from 6 minutes of straight sprints, I realized something..something monumental. In that moment I felt complete.

  

  This is a bike. Not my bike, and not my spin bike..but a bike..I rode this bike one time.

  I’ve never been one to enjoy talking about deep emotions, I struggle with being vulnerable and in all honesty I hate putting my “problems” onto other people. I know what it’s like to listen to others go on and on about things they cannot change, so despite some of my internal battles, I don’t like to share them. It’s been hard for me to admit that although it’s been nearly 6 months I am still not fully recovered from my breakup. I still have moments of complete weakness where I breakdown at the drop of a hat. That’s really hard to admit.

  

  If you’re worried about falling off the bike, you’ll never get on.

  It’s hard for me to admit that at times I still feel like I am lost, and that my direction continues to go up, then down, and then back, and then up again. It all feels complicated.

  

  I’ve had wonderful adventures lately, and I really am finding my happiness, but I still feel as if some days are a bit of a black clouded blur. This spin class opened my eyes to what I need in my life. I need a routine. My work schedule isn’t consistent, and I can’t say I like the inconsistency, but it’s something I have to accept with this job. This spin class reminded me of the days when I had a strict, yet wonderful routine.

  There is no guidebook to tell me when I am supposed to feel complete, and I’ve realized the “self work” I have to do takes TIME. Finding a consistent schedule is going to be one of the keys I need for my happiness. That spin class was a small victory for me on my road to success. I now see that I don’t need to be a medical professional to be happy, I just need a consistent schedule that makes me feel like I’ve accomplished my day. I love ending my day feeling exhausted.

  I have learned so much about myself in the last 6 months it’s almost crazy to look back and see where my life was a year ago. All this time I was longing for the past and struggling with my present, without realizing some of the simple things that would help me move forward. The saying, “live and learn” really means more than I thought. One day I will return to school and pursue a career, but for now I hope to find my balance in routine.

  

  Q: How do you feel about sharing/reading more “emotional” posts? I struggle with them and I don’t feel like the world needs to know everything, but sometimes sharing can be cathartic. I also enjoy reading more personal posts when I can relate to them. 

  

  | 66 Comments Tagged Biking, Emotions, Life, Random, Spinning

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 10:03 AM by Brittany, on November 1, 2013

  1. This book is totally giving me a science high. With a combination of nature talk and scientific facts ABOUT nature, I get lost in the text. I even read the chapter about snails.

  

  If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ll know I have an odd fear of slugs/snails..this was a big deal to read that chapter!

  2. I was on a runners high for a solid week after my last half marathon. Thank you for all the kind comments I received on that post. I just want to say that I officially hate hornets, and I will make it my life mission to stay away from them. My stings got so itchy I wanted to GNAW my damn leg off. I have had a huge red ring of death around the entry hole for over two weeks, and I am convinced something is breeding inside my leg.

  3. Sometimes I kinda, sorta, love where I live.

  

  4. I have only run a handful of times since my race, and after a much needed break the last couple weeks I am ready to get back to a schedule. I also miss spin class..like..a lot. I ran my fastest 5K a couple days ago with a time of 26:44. That’s an 8:37 pace. I was elated.

  5. I have been doing a lot of this lately..reading WITH my coffee.

  

  A good book and a good cup of coffee. Perfect morning.

  6. I finally downloaded the new iPhone update, but only after seeing it improved picture quality. I resisted for weeks, but I am a sucker for a good photo. I need a real camera…

  7. I want this chair at my table. This chair would give me permission to eat my food as if I were a tornado. Who says only kids get special high chairs?

  

  8. I went trick or treating last night (no, I do not have kids..) The quote of the night was when asked for our ID’s and my friend said, “we’re 13….plus 13.” I died. I’ll stop when I am 30…maybe. I gave all my loot away though, no milk chocolate for me.

  9. It’s November, and Starbucks is preparing for the holidays with a super awesome sale! I got this mug I have been lusting over for only $5! I had a partner discount too, but still!

  

  10. I am so in love with fall. I just can’t get enough of the colors, the smells, and the baked goods. I know one person that doesn’t want summer to end, but she is craayyy.

  Q: What’s your confession!?

  

  | 51 Comments Tagged Fall, Half Marathon, Halloween, Nature, Reading, Running

• ‘Tis the Season

  Posted at 5:26 AM by Brittany, on October 31, 2013

  Happy Halloween everyone! In spirit of today’s holiday, I have a recipe to prepare you for the NEXT holiday! Too soon? At least I don’t have any Christmas music playing…

  It’s no secret that I love to bake. I also happen to love almost everything I bake, but I have found that my taste buds are accustomed to flavors that some people would call bland. I enjoy the flavor of plain grains and veggies, my meals don’t get extra seasonings, and I am a coffee and tea purist to the max. I don’t add cream or sugar to either.

  

  I’ve been wanting to attempt a gingerbread cookie recipe for a while now, and finally gave it a shot. As per usual I LOVED them, but I wanted to see what the civilians thought (non vegan eaters.) Most people I know are skeptical of my treats before they try them, and I get a total baking high when I introduce my friends to the better side of vegan baking.

  

  I wanted to make all these cookies into maple leaf shapes, but had too much batter and not enough patience, so I made some circular cookies as well. These are perfect for those of you that enjoy a simple cookie that’s not overpowering in the sweet department. I LOVE extra sweet treats, but these mild cookies were delicious. Perfect along side a cup of black coffee.

  Super Soft Gingerbread Cookies

  

  • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp of a chia or flax egg (I used chia)
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance vegan butter
  • 3/4 cup xylitol
  • 1/4 cup raw sugar
  • 3 tblsp vanilla almond milk
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • a couple more pinches of raw sugar

  

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Combine your flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and chia or flax egg in a medium sized bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together your xylitol, sugar, coconut oil, and Earth Balance vegan butter. Then mix in the vanilla almond milk and molasses.
  4. Slowly stir in the dry ingredients until mixed
  5. Form into small balls (or shapes), sprinkle the top with sugar, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

  A few notes: I used part xylitol, and part sugar because I wanted to lessen the amount of sugar, but you can use all sugar if you want. I also ran out of coconut oil, so I used part oil and part butter, but you can use all of one or the other. I liked the combo of both.

  

  I had to…because I am 12. It is Halloween after all!

  This was my first time baking with molasses and I have to say I was scared of the smell. Thankfully it tasted nothing like it smelled, and I already have requests to bake a second batch! Oh how I love seasonal baked goods, bring on the eggnog cupcakes!

  Q: Do you like gingerbread cookies?! If you said yes, you must make these.

  

  | 39 Comments Tagged Cookies, Halloween, Recipe, Vegan

• Three Activities

  Posted at 9:20 AM by Brittany, on October 28, 2013

  Lately I have noticed that I go through phases of activities. By this I mean I will enjoy a certain activity more than others and focus on that certain activity with more energy than all my other activities. These activities are broken into three categories: Food, Running, and Adventuring.

  Right now I am in the adventuring phase. I haven’t baked anything in weeks, and I have only run four times since my half marathon a couple weeks ago. Right now I am focusing on going out with my friends and taking advantage of fall.

  

  Fall foliage between the fence.

  These activities are the core of this blog, and as you may notice I talk about these three things in bulk when I am going through each phase. While training for my last half, I had more posts about running, when feeling crazy in my kitchen I have more posts about creations, and while feeling adventurous I blog about my random adventures. I still partake in ALL these activities year round, but only one gets top spot at a time.

  

  Random giant pumpkin, of course I want a photo with you.

  Last week I was very spontaneous. This doesn’t happen often, as I usually prefer things planned far in advance. My coworker and I decided to take a last minute day trip to a town over three hours away. By last minute I mean we said, “hey wanna go tomorrow.” OK!

  

  With views like this a long car ride is tolerable.

  Our destination was a small Bavarian town called Leavenworth. I had been before, but not for many years. Our initial plan was to make it for Oktoberfest, but that never happened. Instead of bagging the trip, we decided to make our own Oktoberfest.

  

  Fall decorations and FIRE tables at an outdoor beer and brat place.

  The town itself is adorable and very touristy. There is a lot of character all throughout it.

  

  

  

  I wonder what they sell here…

  The shops were great, but the real show stopper was the scenery. The mountains overlooking the town took my breath away, and the fall trees gave me chills of happiness.

  

  After wandering the town for an hour or so, I completed the task I came to complete. I was so jazzed that the spot with the fire tables served Field Roast, and I got myself a “brat.”

  

  This is the face of a very tired, but content soul.

  The day was long (I had been awake since 3am for work, and didn’t get home until around midnight) and the drive was far (approx 190 mi from my house EACH way) but it was an adventure to remember and it sparked a whole new level of spontaneity in my world.

  I shared my adventures in a local town, my footsteps through the corn, last week I went to Leavenworth, yesterday I went to Seattle for the last professional soccer game of the season, and I even made it to a haunted house with some of my coworkers. The phase of adventuring is coming to an end (not for good, just as the main phase and topic of my posts lately) and I see some more running posts in my future. I have my eye on another half marathon very, very soon! I also need to get my butt in the kitchen and BAKE!!

  Q: Do you go through phases where you do/talk about certain activities more than others? GET OUT AND EXPLORE! 

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Adventure, Day Trip, Leavenworth, Random, Running, Spontaneous, Vegan

• Footsteps Through the Corn

  Posted at 10:47 AM by Brittany, on October 25, 2013

  Thank you everyone for your input on my last post! If you’re at all interested in self hosting your blog, check out some of the comments! I know self hosting is my next step so stay tuned because I’m not sure exactly when it will happen! Now, onto today….

  I went to a corn maze. It’s not officially fall until you visit the corn maze/pumpkin patch. Sadly, no ninja moves were allowed so I kept my nunchuks in my pocket.

  

  Throughout the maze there were pumpkins with random paintings on them. My favorite was a self portrait of my child, equipped with a device for eating cereal, or ice cream.

  

  

  The objective of the maze was to solve a riddle. Random letters were sprinkled all over the maze and we were to write the letters down onto a sheet of paper, and then unscramble.

  

  S is for chicken.

  

  Any guesses? I couldn’t figure it out and had to resort to Facebook for help. I don’t know how I passed third grade. After finding all the letters, I enjoyed the sun through the corn.

  

  Obligatory corn maze photo.

  The farm also had chickens, goats, sheep, and one lone llama.

  

  To wrap up my trip, I searched the pumpkin patch for the perfect pumpkin to bake.

  

  

  

  

  This one..I want this one.

  When I went to pay for my pumpkin, the man did not know how to use the mobile device required for payment with a card. After asking him to find someone to help me, he asked me if I could wait a while. So I put the pumpkin back and I left. UGH I was so upset. Looks like I’ll just have to visit another pumpkin patch to get my pumpkin to bake!

  Q: Have you been to a pumpkin patch or corn maze this year? Now I want to go apple picking!! I just don’t want to find any larva in my apples….eww…

  

  | 49 Comments Tagged Adventure, Corn Maze, Fall, Pumpkin, Random

• I Need Your Help!

  Posted at 6:43 AM by Brittany, on October 23, 2013

  The last month I’ve been trying to live my life with less fear. Less fear of the unknown, less fear about the future, less fear about not knowing ABOUT the future, less fear about dancing in public with strangers, less fear about letting go of control, and so much more.

  

  I went here last weekend and screamed like a 12 yr old girl.

  Fear does nothing but hold me back, and I’m ready to move forward. I’ve realized life is too short to always stand in the shadows, and taking leaps of faith are a must. I could ramble on for days about this, but you get the idea, and I promise I am going somewhere with this.

  Something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but have been afraid to jump into, is changing my blog to a self hosted site. I started this blog two years ago with hopes of connecting with people, and if I’m being honest..to get FREE STUFF! I’ve received my fair share of things, but now I want more. I want to look at my blog like a proud mother cat looks at her kitten and thinks, “I just birthed you..you’re beautiful.”

  

  The part that scares me is messing it up. I want to make the switch on my own, and I fear losing everything. I want to do the work myself, because that will make me the most proud. Designs and fancy bells can come later, but I want to do as much myself as I can. So here’s where you guys come it! A lot of my readers have self hosted sites and I need to pick your brains! I want your brain inside of mine..in a less morbid sounding way.

  • What website did you go through? I’m looking at Bluehost.
  • What was the best reason for making the switch for you?
  • Did you notice any major changes? Of any kind.
  • Did you loose your readers?
  • Were you able to keep your blog looking the way it way? I kinda like my simple look.
  • Was it easy to figure out how to add advertising to your page?
  • How did you collect $$ from advertising, PayPal?
  • Was it worth the work?
  • Will it be easy to figure out how to export/save all my content?
  • I use WordPress, will my home page be the same and will writing my posts be the same?

  I’ve done some research, but also want opinions straight from the sources: you guys. I’ve been a slave to YouTube tutorials, and have a good idea of what to do, but I still want some input from my readers that have made the switch on their own as well!

  Pleaseeee share with me any tips and tricks you have about making the switch, and I will love you forever. The time has come, and I feel ready..hurry and help me before I change my mind and settle back into my comfort spot!! 🙂

  Q: Are you self hosted? HELP ME! 

  

  | 67 Comments Tagged Blog, Random

• Enjoy Life: Decadent Bars

  Posted at 7:16 AM by Brittany, on October 21, 2013

  I love to bake. I love shopping for the ingredients, I love the process of mixing things together, and most of all I love to eat what I have created. I don’t buy a lot of baked goods at the store because most of them contain dairy, and are full of things that remind me of pets and anti freeze fluid- tastes good, but eventually kills you. Oreo’s are an exception…

  One company that has continued to impress me with their baked goods is Enjoy Life Foods. In fact, I have a box of their snicker-doodle cookies hiding in my cupboard for my morning coffee pairing. I have reviewed some of their products before, but the last two reviews weren’t for baked goods, which just proves how versatile Enjoy Life products are. SO YUM!

  

  One of the best sights in the world.

  

  I was asked to try the four new decadent chewy bars and review them. All opinions listed below are my own, and while I did get these bars for free, I was not compensated for this review. Let’s start with my least favorite two of the group.

  Cinnamon Bun

  

  I opened this one first, because my mood decided this would be the best one. I was sadly disappointed and didn’t think this tasted much like a cinnamon bun at all. In fact I didn’t think it tasted much like cinnamon even. It wasn’t terrible, but I wouldn’t buy it.

  Cherry Cobbler

  

  I didn’t like this one at all. I don’t know what else to say about it..I just didn’t like it.  
  

  Now for the two I LOVED.

  Chocolate Sunbutter

  

  I gave up on sunflower seed butter after overdoing it a few years ago. This was a nice welcome back snack to the world of sunbutter. This was DELICIOUS and tasted JUST as the name implied..chocolate shell with a creamy sunbutter filling. Two thumps up.

  S’mores

  

  BOOM. This was my favorite one. Are you shocked? I wasn’t either..chocolate and more chocolate..yes please. I wouldn’t say this tasted just like a campfire gathering with marshmallows and crunchy graham crackers, but it was SO good. Two thumbs and one big toe UP UP UP! I would buy this one again, TOMORROW!

  I would recommend this company to anyone, but specifically to those with allergies or dietary restrictions. All of these products are free of: wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, and shellfish. These are also a great healthier option for kids (or kids with allergies) as a quick snack! If you’re interested in trying these decadent bars, enter the code: DECBLOG10 at checkout for 10% off your first order!! WHOO DISCOUNTS!

  Q: Which of these four bars sounds the best to you?

  

  | 47 Comments Tagged Chocolate, Enjoy Life, Review

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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