Blissfulbritt | Page 59

- Sometimes
  
  Posted at 11:26 AM by Brittany, on April 29, 2013
  
  Sometimes I take pictures that make me feel really freaking awesome. I pretend I am a professional feline photographer for a feline magazine. I call this, “Dreaming of a better life.” In reality though, he is really spoiled and comes home within 20 mins of being let out.
  
  Sometimes I edit pictures that make me feel really freaking weird.
  
  This is what my cat would look like with a human face. Or so I assume. I couldn’t decide on which one to post so I posed three different versions. I think I like the goober, simply because it best describes my inner personality.
  
  Sometimes I fight my cravings for cupcakes and satisfy my sweet tooth with something easy and quick. It’s never the same, but the sugar rush is similar.
  
  Adult version of ants on a log. Minus the log. Sub chocolate for raisins So really this is nothing like ants on a log..scratch that all together.
  
  Sometimes I surprise myself with a good run. 6 miles at a 9:31 pace is about a minute faster than my average pace. I’ll take it. Still undecided if I am going to run my third half marathon next month though..I take it day by day with my knees.
  
  Sometimes I get wild and give into my cravings for what I really want and build myself ONE cupcake. If I make more than one, I eat more than one. Problem solved-bake one.
  
  No recipe for this yet, it still needs some tweaking. It did satisfy my craving though..so job well done funfetti like cupcake. I made a sprinkle cupcake to celebrate the missed birthday of my blog. Oops..I forgot that last week was my two year blog birthday. I can’t believe it’s already been two years. I should have known with a first post like this I would be here for a while. The weirdness hasn’t changed, I can tell you that much.
  
  Sometimes my family makes me smile.. OK more like a lot of the time. My younger sister has started an art blog. If you like to draw and want to participate in her contests check her out over at: Order of the Pencil. YAY! I wish I could draw, but really my skills are as bad as a monkey trying to sing. My talents include twisting my arms to look like Frankenstein and making faces that would frighten small children. I’ve been blessed.
  
  Q: What’s your “sometimes” for the day?
  
  | 64 Comments Tagged Cats, Cupcake, Family, Peanut Butter, Random, Running, Vegan
- One of Three
  
  Posted at 9:45 AM by Brittany, on April 25, 2013
  Yesterday I went for a run. Nothing crazy, just a run. No record breaking distance or speed..JUST a RUN! Well it was hard. So hard in fact that I needed to drink my entire mini water bottle by the end of a measly three mile run.
  
  The difficulty of this run could have been for one of three reasons:
  
  1. It was hot out. And by hot I mean like 64, but the sun was BEATING on my skin!
  2. Aunt Flo is here. That bitch always zaps my energy.
  3. I was tied to a fishing pole and someone was reeling me in each step I took.
  
  The last one sounds about right.
  
  After I got home from my run, I noticed someone got a new bed.
  
  Where’s my new bed!? This kitty king palace was $30!! Seriously that is like $1000 in human money and I could get a nice bed for that price. This is actually a dog bed, but shh don’t tell them. My furry felines we given this bed for one of three reasons:
  
  1. They are princes of my house and get whatever they want.
  2. They get cat hair on the couches so in attempt to stop that, they now have their own couch.
  3. They brainwashed my mom and today she will be coming home with fresh salmon and string toys from Europe.
  
  I’m going to say all of the above.
  
  Lastly, in the evening I went to a spin class. Before I went I had some of this.
  
  My spin class was so epic, I swore at any moment my bike was going to come off the stable indoor docking and I was going to be riding through mystical forests filled with shirtless centaurs that looked like Adam Levine. The class was SO good, that I was dripping sweat. There was one point where I saw the drops fall..plop, plop, plop..tic tac toe three in a row. It was like the Amazon Rainforest was leaking off my face.
  
  This sweat dripping, energy pounding class could have been for one of three reasons:
  
  1. The liquid green crack brought so much oxygen to my blood cells that I couldn’t use it fast enough.
  2. I chose a broken bike with easier gears than the rest, making me think I was at a level 17 when in reality it was the equivalent of a level 5.
  3. I am a beast.
  
  Why yes, I did bend down to take a picture of one of my sweat droplets. You’re welcome.
  
  I’m going to say one and three are probably legit. This was the same day as that bum run, so something must have kicked in to give me some energy.
  
  While I know I get a ton of chlorophyll (not to be confused with chloroform) from the leafy greens I eat, I wanted to try to get even more. This plant based product is known to mimic hemoglobin and assist in bringing oxygen to your blood cells, carry carcinogenic properties OUT of your body, and boost energy naturally!! I’m going to continue to test it out on runs and spinning, and I hope it helps my energy levels! Ok well that’s enough for one day!
  
  Q(s):
  - Does anyone else judge a hard workout by the drops of sweat on the floor?
  - Anyone ever tried liquid chlorophyll?
  | 56 Comments Tagged Cats, Chlorophyll, Random, Running, Spinning
- Early Morning Confessions
  
  Posted at 7:55 AM by Brittany, on April 20, 2013
  
  1. Remember the Grinch that tried to steal Christmas, only to be shocked when the people of Whoville came together stronger than ever? Even without their gifts? Yeah, that just happened in Boston. Runners unite, even without their medals.
  
  2. I have separation issues. Specifically with clothing, I recently gave away some too big race shirts, and old work shirts, and it was like giving away a piece of my soul.
  
  I did keep four TJ’s shirts…baby steps.
  
  3. My running has been below average lately. I blame this on the fact that my knee is killing me. The bizarre part is that it’s not the knee that was hurting me before my last half marathon. Whatever, they are trying to take me down..damn knees.
  
  4. On sunny days I like to spoil my children and let them outside. It’s like Christmas in April for these furry boys.
  
  He got so dirty I soon regretted my decision.
  
  5. That jungle cat in the above picture has a new name: Richard Parker. Simply because I was so blown away by the movie Life Of Pi that I now call my cat by this name. This movie rocked my world so hard I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days…
  
  6. I love nature…like a lot. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before.
  
  7. I’ve been obsessing over burritos lately. Better yet burritos with the entire kitchen mashed inside. Newest obsession: Beets inside the burrito.
  
  8. Last night I combined a store discount along with a coupon to get $2.00 off, making my total $1.99. Couponing at it’s finest.
  
  9 and 10. While I haven’t been running A LOT I have still been running, and I was given some gels to try out on one of my longer runs. I’ve tried GU Gels, Shot Bloks, Chia Surge, and now Huma gels, a chia energy gel. I love chia seeds so I happily accepted the gels in exchange for my honest review.
  
  This is a new company, and I am all for supporting small businesses. They have two flavors right now, strawberry and apple cinnamon. I have to admit that I am not a fan of fruity flavored gels like this, so the strawberry was not my jam. I did however LOVE the apple cinnamon gel. The flavor was amazing and I would eat it with my oatmeal or toast before a run, if not straight from the packet.
  
  The texture was smooth, perfect for those of you skeeved out by chia seeds and their gelatinous texture when wet. I was surprised when I couldn’t even tell the seeds were in the mix. I would definitely buy the apple cinnamon gel again for my longer runs. Delicious AND nutritious.
  
  Click photo to be taken to the website.
  
  You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy these gels, these are perfect for any cardio like activity. If you’re interested in trying these gels, and supporting a small new business you can use the discount code: BLISSFULBRITT for 10% off until April 30th!
  
  Q: What’s your morning confession?
  
  | 48 Comments Tagged Boston, Confessions, Half Marathon, Review, Running, Vegan
- Sweet Treat
  
  Posted at 12:31 PM by Brittany, on April 15, 2013
  It’s no secret that I love sugar. Cookies, cakes, chocolate, anything with that sweet kick to the mouth and I’m in heaven. I don’t however, love fake sugar or anything claiming to be a healthier alternative to sugar. Don’t even try to offer me Splenda, Equal, or even Stevia. Stevia tastes just as bad as the dirt it’s grown from. Blech. Nothing beats the real deal as long as it’s raw and pure. Also, it’s all about the balance..sugar doesn’t make you unhealthy if it’s consumed responsibly, so why eat the shit your body doesn’t recognize? Beats me.
  
  With that said, there is one sugar “alternative” that I was willing to try: Xylitol. Heard of it?? It’s what is used to sweeten your gum and toothpaste and gives that minty cool feeling. Sugar alcohols don’t affect your teeth, but they do have one major side effect: Diarrhea. This could be good and bad…just hear me out. Knowing that if you eat too much and could get diarrhea, this could help to keep your paws out of the cookie jar eating too many cookies. A little help getting rid of waste never hurt anyone right? Kidding..sorta.
  
  I was asked to do a review of a Canadian company’s Xylitol product. While I still swear by real sugar, I was happy to give this stuff a try.
  
  I do have to disagree with the words at the top, if eating sweets gives you guilt, you’ve got bigger issues than needing fake sugars. BALANCE PEOPLE! If you don’t think you earned the sweet, DON’T EAT IT! No need to feel guilty! This stuff looked like sugar, and tasted sweet with a cooling after taste..in a good way! I also was given some candies, and gum.
  
  No complaints. I loved all of the candies, and I am obsessed with the gum!! This is the kind of gum that you chew so obnoxiously because the flavor is SO good and you just can’t get enough. This might explain why I have no friends..
  
  Now I just needed to BAKE with the Xylitol to see how it tasted in a cookie.
  
  Chocolate Chip Cookie
  - 2 cups whole wheat flour
  - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  - 1/2 teaspoon salt
  - 3/4 cup melted coconut oil
  - 1 cup packed brown sugar
  - 1/2 cup xyla
  - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  - 1/2 cup applesauce
  - 1.5 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted coconut oil, brown sugar and xyla until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, and applesauce until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
  4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted.
  So how did they taste?? Amazing, just as if I used real sugar. The xylitol didn’t alter the flavor of these at all. I can’t say the same for stevia, seriously baking with stevia is like chewing on nails. Horiffic.
  
  If you are interested in using xylitol I would recommend doing your research before using a lot of it. Overall the flavor was good and moderation is key.
  
  Q: Do you use any fake/alternative sugars? I’m a sucker for the real deal.
  | 44 Comments Tagged Baking, Cookies, Recipe, Review, Vegan
- Coupons Make My Heart Soar
  
  Posted at 9:34 AM by Brittany, on April 11, 2013
  
  Fact: Sweets taste better when they’re free. Most of anything tastes better when I don’t have to spend any of my hard earned cash money on them, but sweets are the top dog in this playing field.
  
  I’ve been daydreaming about being a contestant (is this what I’d call myself?) on Extreme Couponing. While I don’t have the patience or the brain capacity to do all the work that goes into couponing, watching other people coupon is extremely fascinating. I may never have a stockpile the size of the Taj Mahal, but I do my part in couponing for civilians.
  
  I was lucky enough to be born with sticky fingers, and while at VegFest a few weeks ago I snagged a “few” extra BOGO donut coupons. Six to be exact. I used four coupons last weekend, which gave me four free donuts.
  
  *One maple bar was consumed prior to the picture taking. Donuts wait for no one.
  
  These bangin beauties are from Mighty-O Donuts in Seattle. Only the best vegan donuts around the sound. Let’s do some math now. I spent a total of $3.78 on four donuts (My friend bought the other four making our total eight, but for the sake of numbers we will only count the ones I paid for.) Remember when I said all the lost change I found with my coin counter would go towards donuts? Well I wasn’t joking. I’ve found a total of $2.19 thus far, subtract that from my whopping total and I payed: $1.59 for four donuts. Oh sweet victory is mine.
  
  I wish I could say the sugar faeries stopped dancing in my brain after I bought these donuts, but that would be a terrible lie. While in Seattle, I do it big. Both my friend and I had coupons for a free dessert at Veggie Grill. The donuts were packed safely for later and along with a delicious comfort meal, we had two desserts at no cost to us.
  
  Damn if feels good to be a ~~gangsta~~ couponer.
  
  For all health purposes I feel inclined to tell you the only thing I ate this day was half of that carrot cake. I saved my donuts for the days to follow, and I still haven’t touched my half of the cookie. As much as I’d like to go into a sugar coma by eating everything in one sitting, I just can’t.
  
  If anyone would like to pay me large heaps of money, I will teach you my frugal ways. I also still have two donut coupons for anyone that wants to chat over coffee and sugar!
  
  Q: Do you ever use coupons?
  
  | 68 Comments Tagged Coupons, Donuts, Food, Frugal, Mighty-O, Seattle, Vegan
- My List
  
  Posted at 10:18 AM by Brittany, on April 8, 2013
  One of my favorite bloggers, Shira, wrote a post a while ago about daily happiness. I decided to follow suit and make a list of my own simple things that bring me daily happiness. This list comes in handy for me on days that I feel down, bored, or just want to relax. It’s such a versatile list of things that can be done almost anytime, anywhere.
  
  My list of happiness
  - A good run.
  - Pampering myself.
  A Biore strip and a hot bath.
  - A long walk outside with nature.
  - Reading a book, or watching a movie.
  It’s amazing how excited I was to watch this movie..at the age of 24.
  - Making a good meal.
  - Baking something new.
  - Spending time with the ones I love.
  - Yoga.
  - Making a craft.
  - Doing something for someone else.
  This list could go on and on and on…but I will stop with the top ten. Making yourself happy doesn’t have to be hard. Next time you want a jolt of happy juice adrenaline, think about what you can do to pick yourself up, or make yourself (or someone else) smile.
  
  Q: What’s on your happy list?
  | 60 Comments Tagged Food, Happy, New food, Random, Running, Vegan
- Fish Out of Water
  
  Posted at 9:34 AM by Brittany, on April 5, 2013
  
  Forgive me if my sentences jumble together like a fish out of water today. I broke my nail trying to obtain a piece of chocolate (I wish I were kidding) and I decided to pick the nail off. Now it throbs. I am also standing up to blog because since leaving my job at Trader Joe’s, my entire lower body has decided to store up on some excess material as if it were preparing for a famine. I noticed I was sitting a lot more than normal, so these days I blog standing up. I hope the little things count, because if not I’ll be wearing a parka to the swimming pools this summer.
  
  I’ve been obsessed with random nature finds lately. Instagram has played a big part in that. I tend think I can make anything look unique. Take this random deserted train for instance. I imagine it was used to transport cake to Disneyland.
  
  I didn’t Instagram these pictures, but I tried. They didn’t look as cool as I thought. Keep an eye out for me, you’ll see my name in Nat Geo soon enough with pictures of dancing camels spitting expensive wine.
  
  The sun decided to leave yesterday. It poured so ferociously I thought I was going to have to get my canoe out to go to the gym. I don’t have a canoe, but I do have wood I could float on. Thankfully I enjoyed a suntastic day on Wednesday and busted out the grill again.
  
  Roasted veggies never loose their sparkle. With these I ate a new creation.
  
  A beet, wrapped inside pizza dough, and baked. That’s it. And topped with horse radish SO random and weird, but oddly delicious! With the veggies it’s just like a pizza ball!
  
  Lastly I need your help with something. It’s been brought to my attention that I have an ugly cat. Apparently he has funny lips.
  
  Is this what it’s like to be a mother and think you have the most beautiful baby, when in reality your child looks like it just crawled out of a swap from a horror movie?
  
  Hahaha
  
  I guess I’m blinded by love because I think he is the cutest thing everrrr.
  
  Q: Are you blinded by love with your funky looking pet? If you don’t have a pet your spouse counts too.
  
  | 55 Comments Tagged Cats, Nature, Spring, Sun, Vegan
- Early Morning Confessions
  
  Posted at 8:48 AM by Brittany, on April 2, 2013
  
  1. The sunshine outside my window has allowed for nearly naked runs. Aka shorts and tank tops!!!!!! I have my first tan lines of the year. Shorts shorts SHORTS!
  
  2. I did not and will not clean that mirror, even after taking a photo and seeing the filth. That photo was also taken before the tank tops were brought out. It was the first shorts run of the season. These things must be documented.
  
  3. Did I mention the weather has been nice in my area?! That also means busting out the Vibram’s and running WITHOUT socks! Left: socks, right: NO SOCKS!
  
  4. I have made it to $2.00 on my coin counter. You all laughed when I started, laugh no more! $2.00 can ALMOST buy a cupcake!
  
  5. I went to Africa.
  
  Elephant
  
  6. I’ve been tearing through books lately. I just can’t stop reading.
  
  7. I think coffee is one of the most amazing smells in the world. Just the smell makes my bowels quiver. 99% of the time I drink coffee I only drink half the glass. I mean business.
  
  8. I’ve been playing tourist again around Seattle. While there I rode a carousel for the first time in years.
  
  9. Biggest confession of the post: Over the last couple days I have secretly stolen some of my sisters Easter candy to eat. I ate it..I ate her candy. That’s not the confession. The candy is not vegan! It was DELICIOUS! I may have had a cookie or a bite of non vegan cake too. OK no more Easter candy for me.
  
  10. I also ate my body weight in Field Roast on Easter, and make a bunny cookie that could probably win some kind of art show.
  
  Just a little fun fact about me: I do not pluck my eyebrows to be like this, I was just ~~cursed~~ blessed with STUBS that vanish at the end for eyebrows. I’m too lazy for makeup everyday, so if anyone has any magical hair growth HOOK ME UP!
  
  Q: What’s your morning confession?
  
  | 68 Comments Tagged Adventure, Cash Money, Coins, Confessions, Cupcake, Running, Tourist, Vegan, Vibram
- Exploration
  
  Posted at 10:49 AM by Brittany, on March 28, 2013
  
  One of my goals this year is to spend some quality time exploring my state. Having lived in Washington my entire life, I feel it’s time to really start appreciating all the beauty around me. Seattle is always an easy go to being that it’s only an hour ferry ride away, but there are still plenty of hikes, lakes, mountains, and restaurants that I want to explore!
  
  The trees in this city are different than in mine. Only an hour of separation, but completely different landscape. There are also new to me wildlife parks that make for great afternoon adventures.
  
  The sun was in hiding for the first part of this wildlife trek, but eventually made an appearance.
  
  There were birds, ducks, snakes, turtles, and lots of foliage to see. I’ve become a pro at identifying skunk cabbage, and could continue living contently if I never had to see or smell that stuff again..blech. Another smelly substance left me in fear every time packs of geese flew over my head.
  
  No body likes poop hair.
  
  I have walked so much this week that my legs feel as if I have run a half marathon everyday. It’s been a welcomed change from the constant running, and giving my knees a break every couple days has been nice. While I LOVE running in new areas, I find that walking helps me appreciate the scenery around me more.
  
  Spring time is a perfect time to start exploring, but I need serious fuel when it comes to hours of exploring. Spring time also means BRING OUT THE BBQ!
  
  Pre BBQ
  
  There aren’t many sights more beautiful than grilled veggies. Match made in adventure heaven.
  
  Q: Do you ever explore areas close to home, or do you prefer adventures further away? I like both, but close to home is easier to do on a whim!
  
  | 56 Comments Tagged Adventure, BBQ, Exploring, Food, Grill, Running, Spring, Vegan, Walking, Washington
- Spring Eggs
  
  Posted at 9:28 AM by Brittany, on March 26, 2013
  Spring has sprung!! Sorry to all you east coasters that are still getting inches of snow, that’s rough. Over here in the north west it’s been sunny sunny sunny.
  
  It was so sunny on my run yesterday I felt wildly overdressed. It’s almost time to bust out the running tanks, my favorite! I feel like a cartoon in this picture.
  
  Spring means flowers, sun, birds, birds mating, and Easter for those of you that celebrate. I’d be lying if I said Easter didn’t make me think of candy, eggs, and searching for money in a giant yard. As I get older I am trying to appreciate the real meaning behind Easter, with maybe a chocolate egg or two. Before I went vegan my go to chocolate egg was none other than the Reese’s egg. The thick PB center was far more delicious than their regular PB cup. Any holiday Reese’s was divine.
  
  Last year I tried to give my love to another, which was a terrible mistake. Nothing compares. Sorry TJ’s, I love you, and I love your candy, but your choc eggs suck. Since Easter isn’t complete without chocolate covered eggs. I made my own! I was inspired by this recipe, and if you want a non vegan version give it a try! They also have more pictures, and better egg shaping skills.
  
  Before you judge my egg shaping skills, I’ll have you know that no matter what the shape..everything goes in and out of the same place. So deal with it.
  
  Chocolate PB Eggs
  - 2 cups powdered sugar
  - 3/4 cup PB (I used chunkaayy!)
  - 2 tblsp Earth Balance butter
  - 1-3 tablespoons almond milk (depending on texture)
  - 1.5 cups of semisweet or dark (dairy free) chocolate chips
  - 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
  Mix together the powdered sugar, peanut butter, and butter. Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes a nice workable dough. Form the dough into egg shapes, or dinosaur turds, and place in the freezer for about an hour.
  
  I used the stove to melt my chocolate chips and coconut oil, but a microwave would work too. Dip each egg into the melted chocolate and place on wax paper.
  
  I put mine back into the freezer to set up. The coconut oil will make these melt quick at room temperature, and I like my treats cold anyway. This made about 16 sm/med eggs. Which were gone in two days..between three people.
  
  These were delicious, and I think it’s time for another sugar detox!! Would you believe I pulled a muscle in my neck reaching for a cupcake?? I did pull a muscle, I’m not sure how, but I’m going to pretend it’s a sign to cut back on sugar…again. HA!
  
  Q: Favorite Easter time treat???
  | 50 Comments Tagged Easter, Reeses, Running, Spring, Sun, Vegan
← Older posts

Newer posts →
- Search for:
- 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
- ¿Quieres Más?
  
  Like my witty attitude and delightful charm? Enter your
  e-mail below for the party to come straight to your inbox!
  
  Email Address:
  
  Join 4,725 other subscribers

Looking for Something Specific?

Search for:
Stalk My Past
Stalk My Past

Blog at WordPress.com.