Blissfulbritt | Page 38

- Super Food Energy Bites
  
  Posted at 6:03 AM by Brittany, on March 4, 2015
  About two months ago I was gifted a bag of raw hazelnuts, and by raw I mean they were still in their cocoon of a shell. I knew I wanted to do something fun with them, but they sat on my counter for days, then weeks, then months. I was then gifted a second bag, and to avoid becoming the Filbert hoarder (did you know Filbert is another name for hazelnuts!?) I knew it was time to put these bags to use.
  
  There was only one problem, how would I de-shell them?
  
  I grabbed a wooden kitchen mallet, stepped outside, squatted like I was using the bathroom in the woods, and smashed over 100 hazelnuts. Talk about being connected to your food. I then took my fresh nuts and made the inevitable. Hazelnut butter!
  
  This has been on my foodie bucket list FOREVER, and I finally did it. OH.MY.GOODNESS. The flavor, unreal. AND IT WAS WARM. I added cacao (my latest obsession, not to be confused with cocoa) and stevia for a chocolate version.
  
  AND THEN I made these…
  
  Superfood Energy Bites
  
  Ingredients
  - 1 cup dry whole grain oatmeal
  - 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  - 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut butter*
  - 1/4 cup of honey + 1 tblsp
  - 1 tsp vanilla
  - 1/4 cup golden berries
  - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  Directions
  
  Simply combine your dry ingredients first, and then pour in your wet. Mix until WELL combined. Once combined, set in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set. Once set, roll into bite sized balls, makes anywhere from 8-12 depending on your size preference.
  
  *Note: I used my homemade cacao hazelnut butter, but you can use any kind you’d like. Add 1-2 tblsp of raw cacao to your nut butter (make sure it’s still creamy) if yours is without it.
  
  The golden berries have a slight citrus bite to them, which balanced out the rich and creamy hazelnut butter. Golden berries and cacao are both super-foods, which basically means you’re eating a ball made of super powers. Not to mention the energy boosting powers of raw nuts, and flaxseeds too. Have I sold you on these yet?
  
  Oh hey there golden berry.
  
  These bites helped power me through my eight mile run on Sunday, which then resulted in a new to me taste courtesy of the Whole Foods hot bar.
  
  See those crunchy clusters in the middle? Fried tofu. I can now die happy.
  
  I’d happily run 10 more miles just to eat those clusters again.
  
  Good thing I have some energy bites left.
  
  Q: Ever made your own nut butters? It’s time consuming, but so worth it.
  | 71 Comments Tagged Energy Bites, Garmin, Recipe, Run
- Beautified
  
  Posted at 6:57 AM by Brittany, on February 27, 2015
  
  I like to think I’m not a picky person. There is only one vegetable I don’t like, I happily go on adventures that others choose, and if you served me gas station coffee…I’d drink it. Maybe…unless I had another option, but that’s beside the point.
  
  When it comes to beauty products I’m as challenged as an anesthetized cat. I wear some color on my eyebrows because I was not blessed with much of any, and I lightly brush my lashes with mascara when I have to work…because it’s fancy.
  
  I keep things pretty simple in the beauty department, so the products I use follow suit. I’m slightly picky here as I try to avoid added chemicals, and buy vegan friendly options when I can find them. I recently discovered the LUSH shampoo bar and to put it bluntly, I’m obsessed. I guess this means I’ll actually wash my hair now.
  
  While they’re not perfect, they’re simple and I love them. I would have never imagined washing my hair with a circular disk. I’m also in love with their mascara. I was sold when I discovered it was infused with wheatgrass. Plus, it’s vegan. 🙂
  
  It’s pricey upfront, but lasts for a while. I love the non clumping aspect, and it stays put whether I’m pushing caffeine at work, or exploring the mountains after work.
  
  However, because I can’t feel completely balanced until I use something 100% plain in its most natural state, I’ve been exfoliating in the shower with…coffee grounds. No combination scrubs of coffee and oils – JUST coffee, straight from my French press.
  
  Once I finish my morning cup(s) I simply gather a shot glass full of the used grounds and bring them with me into the shower. The natural oils from the coffee beans are amazing for moisturizing! I don’t use lotion, so this has made my skin very happy.
  
  Note: This is messy, but worth it. You’ll want coarse grounds, which is why grinding your beans for a French press is perfect. Most at home grinders grind the beans in the middle, but if you’re beans are ground too fine the exfoliation won’t be as good.
  
  Long story short: I’m a simple kind of gal that lives a simple kind of life. I do what I can to keep things clean inside/outside of my body, and despite my desires to be “au naturel” sometimes it’s fun to splash a little color on my face. Color meaning black.
  
  Like my soul.
  
  Q: What’s your beauty routine?
  
  | 87 Comments Tagged Beauty, Hiking, LUSH, Make Up, Vegan
- Hibernation is Over
  
  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on February 24, 2015
  
  The calendar says February, but the atmosphere says April. Washington has had exceptional weather lately, and despite the fact that this is TOTALLY NOT NORMAL AND WE’RE ALL GOING TO BURN THIS SUMMER, I’m enjoying it.
  
  I’ve hung up my parka and brought out my hiking shoes. The sun makes me itchy for activity, and that consists of anything that gets me moving. Things like…
  
  Running
  
  My latest weekend “long run” was a success. This is always a good thing.
  
  Burning 800 calories before 10 am meant two desserts that day. In an attempt to prevent over indulging in sweets, I’ve been eating dessert…every day. This daily consumption also motivates me to move more. What’s similar to running?
  
  Walking
  
  In nature.
  
  Nature walks tide me over long enough until I can do my favorite outdoor activity…
  
  Hiking
  
  Pre hike fuel from my favorite local GF/V bakery. Blueberry scone.
  
  I made it out for a solo hike on Sunday, and despite the weekend crowd it was delightful. An extra mile up the mountain resulted in complete solitary. 5 moderately simply miles earned me a kick ass view, and over a pound of food for my belly.
  
  Not including dessert
  
  Thank you Whole Foods, your vegan cupcakes make my mountain loving heart flutter.
  
  My dear friend Lily painted me a mountain scene for my birthday, and I adore it so very much. Also, can we just take a moment to talk about how dapper my wall looks with my new poster? Mountains, tree’s, and leaves OH MY.
  
  As you can see, I clearly have impeccable decorating skills.
  
  It’s time to donate my layer of blubber to a seal in Antarctica, hibernation is OVER.
  
  Q: What are your favorite outdoor activities?
  
  | 75 Comments Tagged Adventure, Gregory Alan Isakov, Hiking, Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge, Running, Vegan
- Music for the Soul
  
  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on February 19, 2015
  
  Music is a powerful thing. We all have our styles and reasons behind the types of music we enjoy, but every so often we come across a song, an album, or an artist that completely changes our world. For me that artist would be Gregory Alan Isakov.
  
  LIVE at Benaroya Hall!!
  
  I had always enjoyed his music, but it wasn’t until nearly two years ago I really immersed myself in his magic. Listening to him helped me not only blossom after a breakup, but gave me a sense of hope that I hadn’t had before.
  
  OK enough mush, time for a recap! From the top.
  
  These treats were actually mine, brought to me by my wonderful boss all the way from Portland. I resisted the urge to eatallthesugar and saved half for my mom.
  
  As if my birthday weekend wasn’t enough, my mom happened to be born two days after me. Well two days, and a few years ago or so. For Christmas I selfishly purchased two tickets to see Isakov play with the Seattle Symphony, because when you’re already a fantastic artist having the symphony back you up just happens.
  
  Her birthday fell on the day of the show, but to ensure that this was not her birthday gift, we made a day of it. Starting with the coffee and treats from above, followed by a hop, skip, and a twirl over to Seattle for a trip to the Roastery, Pike Place, & dinner.
  
  Drinking good coffee makes you glow. It’s a fact.
  
  After satisfying my monthly sugar quota with a vegan cinnamon roll the size of my face, we wandered like two lost souls in search of a land filled with glistening eggplant and oven crisped potatoes. Isakov will want to hire me after reading that sentence.
  
  Lyrical genius.
  
  HOLY yum to my face. Glazed Tofu Banh Mi: Glazed 5-spice tofu, char-grilled eggplant, house-pickled carrots, white cabbage. Fresh jalapeños, basil, cilantro, mint leaves.
  
  Dinner knocked my non existent socks off. I felt the overwhelming urge to roll around in a sea of mint and basil leaves. This flavor combination was insane. Equally insane? The inside of Benaroya Hall. It was a shame I left my opera glasses at Walmart.
  
  I was excited enough to take an awkward bathroom selfie. And the concert?…
  
  He was fantastic, and he is the most humble artist I’ve ever met. Yes…met. Shook his hand and everything. I wanted a photo with him, but we weren’t allowed. It was a shame I had already broken all my allotted rules for the day.
  
  He.Is.Adorable. His poster had trees on in and we talked about gardening while he signed mine.
  
  His performance was so fantastic my eyes started to swell at times and this liquid stuff filled into the corners. I also looked like a fearful cat thanks to the hairs on my arms standing up from the chills the acoustics gave me. What an experience.
  
  Q: What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
  
  | 73 Comments Tagged Coffee, Gregory Alan Isakov, Music, Seattle, Starbucks, Vegan
- My Kind of Party
  
  Posted at 6:46 AM by Brittany, on February 16, 2015
  
  Just like that another year has been added to my timeline. Yesterday I celebrated my 26th year of life with a lovely morning shift at work full of coffee and good company, followed by a run, and ended with a mom cooked vegan meal.
  
  I like to keep it casual these days when it comes to my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t do fun things the few days leading up to yesterday. Birthday weekend.
  
  Thursday – Took a trip to Seattle to visit the Starbucks roastery again, and it was just as fun this time as the last. I made sure to stop by Pike Place Market for a muffin to pair with my coffee, because coffee tastings happen anytime, anywhere.
  
  I got a cup of west java preanger. When a coffee has tasting notes of milk chocolate you drink it. It’s the only milk chocolate flavor that will pass through my facial orifice.
  
  Friday – Ran 6 carefree miles and reflected on my years of life. Said goodbye to the dog, and settled back into life with my cats. Oh how I missed them.
  
  Saturday – Worked 5:30a-2p and was immediately whisked away for a valentines day adventure. We ate good food and saw a movie. I’ll let you guess which movie. 😉
  
  My hot date.
  
  Sunday – Birthday! Was greeted at 5:30 am by a cup of delicious Sulawesi Pango Pango (my Starbucks doesn’t sell this coffee, so it was a real treat.) Two chocolates in the shape of coffee beans, and a blueberry protein oatmeal courtesy of Starbucks.
  
  Came home from work, got my workout done, and prepared for my feast.
  
  My mom > Your mom. A side of steamed broccoli and raw bell pepper to keep room for all the chocolate.
  
  Homemade buns, burgers, and cake – all gluten free and vegan. My mom is the best.
  
  As you can see I’ve been hibernating in an attempt to become the next Snow White.
  
  That cake…ohhh that cake. We ate over half between three people. Chocolate w/a hint of lavender. I had my cake with strawberries, because that made it healthy.
  
  Tomorrow you can find me at the Seattle Symphony being serenaded by my future husband, rounding out the perfect week of events. Life is good.
  
  Q: What do you typically do for your birthday? I usually enjoy running a race for mine, but figured my half marathon next month was close enough.
  
  | 93 Comments Tagged Birthday, Cake, Cats, Coffee, Run, Starbucks, Vegan
- Early Morning Confessions
  
  Posted at 6:30 AM by Brittany, on February 12, 2015
  
  1. I haven’t talked about running much in these parts lately, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. It is…it is happening. 3-4 x a week. Half marathon in 30days.
  
  Soggy 7 miler
  
  2. On the run pictured above I got a bloody toe, and both my hands cracked and bled. Uhhh…hot mess much? I’ll spare you photos. I’m ready for spring running.
  
  3. My mom made a raw strawberry cheesecake and left me a slice to find on my car. I found it at 5am before work last Saturday. I think I’ll keep her.
  
  Coffe + pie = blissfulbritt. <—I had to.
  
  4. I’m craving change. I hope something crazy happens soon. Hey atmosphere, throwing it out there!! I’m READY!
  
  5. I’ve been living off of the Starbucks brown rice salad. I get one everyday – no joke. I bring it home and add more greens. It helps that I get them FOFREE.
  
  kale+spinach+peas+butternut squash+broccoli+sundried tomatoes+cabbage+brownrice+allthesalsaaaaa.
  
  6. My photos are awful lately. Taken inside – aka away from natural light. Meh.
  
  7. I’m obsessed with this vacuum. Obsessed.
  
  8. I had the most lovely conversation with two customers at work last week. 15 minutes of pure coffee geekery. I love sharing coffee knowledge with others.
  
  9. These Starbucks cups make my single heart swoon.
  
  10. If a dog poops in the dark and no one is around to see, did he really poop? Ultimate confession: I was walking the dog the other night and not a single fiber in my body wanted to pick up his poop, so I left it. In my defense I went to pick it up the next day, along with someone else’s poop! By someone I mean something…a dog.
  
  I hope.
  
  Q: What’s your confession?
  
  | 79 Comments Tagged Confessions, Half Marathon, House Sitting, Raw, Run, Running, Starbucks, Vegan
- One Day Detox
  
  Posted at 7:14 AM by Brittany, on February 9, 2015
  
  My fat consumption has been through the roof the last few months. Before I go any further let me just say I have NO problem with this, and all my fats come from things like coconut oil, avocados, nuts, nut butters, a scoop of granola here, and a handful (or three) of flax chips there. However, “healthy” fats need moderation too.
  
  Chocolate avocado pudding with full fat coconut milk anyone?
  
  When I take the time to wrangle in my sugar beast, my cravings for all things fatty increase. Makes sense as both have equally addictive properties. I’m not knocking fats OR sugar, but I will say (healthy) fats are a better choice than the typical sugar I consume. After noticing some extra bloat and gas I knew I needed a one day detox.
  
  Don’t worry cashew friends, I’ll be back.
  
  SO last Thursday I avoided my typical healthy fats. No avocados, no nut butters, no hemp seeds, no granola, and no coconut products whatsoever. Post 4 mile run I ate some protein oats with berries and some chex. I need crunch, it’s a texture thing.
  
  Aka second breakfast.
  
  I had an apple and a snack sized pack of edamame around 1, but you’d have thought someone was putting me through a drug detox once the clock hit 3PM. I ate a normal lunch/dinner (I like to eat reaaalllyyy early, but I also wake up really early) of kimchi, a giant salad, and more edamame. I also had some chips with a lower fat count, but my typical fatty treat was skipped, ignored, left in the dust. ABANDONED.
  
  I couldn’t stop thinking about the peanut butter in the fridge. Or the ice cream at the store. OR the chocolate bars I passed by at World Market a few hours earlier. It was ugly. I combated these feelings the only way I knew how.
  
  Sugar. With a bite of a bran muffin.
  
  Even my muffin is frowning. Or spewing a mango, you decide.
  
  I wanted to roll around in a pool of peanut butter. I could feel the cats judging me from their shiny tub, but I ignored their cries to mingle and party. It was their fault I needed this detox! I’m 100% addicted to peanut butter, and not in a good way.
  
  When it was all said and done I still had some gut bugs doing somersaults in my small intestine. Turns out it might not have been the fat, but instead the cupcakeicecreamcookieCATSANDfats over a couple days. A combo effect.
  
  I also blame the kimchi, those probiotics don’t mess around.
  
  Q: Do you ever find yourself needing a one day break from a certain food group? Does peanut butter count as a food group? Because we’re going on a break.
  
  | 90 Comments Tagged Detox, Fat, Food, Peanut Butter
- NO MORE CATS
  
  Posted at 6:27 AM by Brittany, on February 5, 2015
  
  This week I’m spending some quality time with this guy.
  
  I’m house sitting until the 13th, which means I will be hanging up my crazy cat lady apron and going on multiple daily dog walks instead. I house/dog sat this guy back in October so we’re already lifelong friends. House sitting meant making a trip to TJ’s.
  
  That’s all I bought. Just kidding. I wanted to highlight/share the new hemp seeds they’re selling. Fantastic purchase. I also picked up the usual 15 lbs of produce, along with a new to me treat. When I worked at TJ’s I was in charge of the cookie order (go figure right) yet I never actually tried these cookies…until now.
  
  These chocolate cats are pure evil, they’re straight from Satan’s bowel movements. I cannot stop eating them. The tub has 15 servings and I ate HALF the tub in two days. As if it couldn’t get any worse I also thought this would be a good idea…
  
  …it was not. The PB jar is also half gone in two days.
  
  The cat made me do it.
  
  No more cats. NO, get them away from me.
  
  There is one positive outcome from this gluttonous cat adventure I embarked on. Both days I ate the cat/pb combo I had insanely good energy for my evening spin class. I could hear the cats crying as they dripped from my pours. That sounded gross, sorry.
  
  Seriously though, I’ve never ended a spin class with a higher watt (power) output than I had at the beginning. So maybe the cats can stay…no…yes…no.
  
  Moral of the story: do not purchase cat cookies when you’re house sitting alone.
  
  Q: Have you tried these cats? They also make them cinnamon flavored….
  
  | 72 Comments Tagged Cats, Peanut Butter, Trader Joes, Vegan
- Real Talk
  
  Posted at 7:47 AM by Brittany, on February 2, 2015
  
  I finally broke into the box of Halloween Joe-Joe’s I’ve been hoarding for the last four months. As I stated on my Instagram, I’m a self proclaimed minimalist. Clutter makes me anxious, and if I’m not going to “use it” then it’s time for me to “loose it.” However, there are almost always exceptions – like this box of Joe-Joe’s.
  
  Halloween in January never tasted so good. Real talk.
  
  I finally got a waffle maker. I’ve used it twice, and both times I got something other than waffles. What’d I do wrong? Coconut flour. I love the stuff, but it can be tricky to play with. Thankfully despite my non waffle like waffle, this mush tasted so good.
  
  Sometimes ugly food tastes the best. Real talk.
  
  Even the photo is ugly, ugly lighting, ugly colors, just…ugly.
  
  **UPDATE** I gave up on waffles for a few days and tried my hand at scones. They were PERFECT. So perfect I settled for mediocre iPhone photos.
  
  I finally found a Starbucks Reserve coffee that I love. The last five blends I’ve tried have been MUCH too bright and acidic for me. My boss bought a bag of Sulawesi Pango Pango from the roastery when we visited last week. I had three coffee tastings.
  
  Coffee is more fun when you talk and write about it. Real talk.
  
  Talk about fresh, roasted on 1/18 and consumed on 1/23.
  
  I finally made my first batch of pico de gallo. I know, I know…it took me far too long. My “dressing” of choice on all my salads/grain bowls is salsa. All the salsa. I was about to buy some locally made pico at the store when the light bulb finally went off.
  
  Pico so good I ate over half in one sitting. Real talk.
  
  I finally got myself a cupcake..or two. Actually my mom did. She wins everything.
  
  Cupcakes taste better in multiples. Real talk.
  
  I finally branched out of my ice cream bubble. 99.9378% of the time I buy ice cream I get vanilla. Why? Because it’s a universal flavor. I can pair it with any and everything. I decided to try something new and bought Almond Dream Praline Crunch.
  
  I took one bite and had a revelation. Pretzels + praline = Real talk.
  
  Q: What’s your real talk moment of the week?
  
  | 65 Comments Tagged Coffee, Food, Halloween, Random, Trader Joes, Vegan
- A Day Off
  
  Posted at 6:14 AM by Brittany, on January 29, 2015
  
  Last week I showed up to school to find a big fat note on the classroom window.
  
  **Chem 142 & 152 CANCELLED.**
  
  Immediately my body went into a state of shock, not only was lecture cancelled, but so was my lab. I don’t work on Thursdays because I am usually at school all day. This meant one thing: I had a complete, total, and 100% day off…from everything.
  
  Insert excitedly awkward selfie.
  
  I had already driven the 10 minutes to get to school, so I stayed around for an hour to do some homework, but then the rest of the day was mine. I had even finished my scheduled 5 mile run for the day. Ideally I would have loved to go for a hike, or even venture to Seattle, but the days get dark so fast and that wouldn’t have worked well.
  
  Where I’d REALLY rather be…
  
  So I did the next best thing, I wandered World Market.
  
  There are many reasons why I love to wander World Market, starting with their coffee samples. Something about that tiny cup in my hand while walking the aisles makes me feel like a freshly groomed sheep. So light and free.
  
  It’s also one of the few places I will willingly try flavored coffee.
  
  I like to stare at things while I drink my coffee. Computer screens, my cat taking a bath, rain falling, strangers spilling ketchup on themselves, or paintings.
  
  That coffee print is brilliant, and true! Except the part about the lighter roasts, I’m a full bodied-low acidity coffee kinda gal. Lighter roasts are too bright and floral for my liking. I want my coffee smooth enough to pair with…
  
  …chocolate. All the chocolate. Chocolate is made in the kitchen, unless you’re being innovatively unsanitary. The kitchen calls for baking tools (and snacks.)
  
  I NEED this ceramic style kitchen utensil holder! So rustic.
  
  If you insist.
  
  I’d serve so many cookies off that deer face. Cookies…which bake for allotted amounts of time. Time in which you’ll need a clock. Or six.
  
  The worn looks to all these clocks speak to my recycling soul. I’d possibly find something similar digging in the trash, then it would be vintage right? Then I would smell…and I’d need a candle to walk around with to mask my scent.
  
  When I close my eyes and sniff these candles I feel like I’m in a tropical land with rare succulents, and komodo dragons the length of Asia.
  
  When it’s all said and done, really I just like to mentally decorate the house I don’t own, and buy chocolate. I walked out with the wasabi ginger bar and a classic sea salt bar. Both pair perfectly with coffee and a book…a book about coffee.
  
  This is the first book I’ve purchased in years. I’m all about the library, but I had a Barnes and Noble gift card collecting dust. This was the perfect purchase. I love it.
  
  Speaking of coffee, I am currently drinking a cup all the way from New Zealand. My dear friend Gigi sent me TWO bags. A good friend sends you a gift from her recent vacation, but a great friend sends you a gift of your true passions. ❤
  
  Ground for a plunger, (or French press) how perfect.
  
  “Extra smooth, extra caffeine, extra grunt.”
  
  Q: What stores do you love to wander? Whole Foods, TJ’s, World Market, and REI top my list.
  
  | 82 Comments Tagged Adventure, Coffee, Random, School, World Market
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