Blissfulbritt | Page 62

- NYE-I’m Getting Old
  
  Posted at 9:03 AM by Brittany, on January 1, 2013
  
  I’m not one for New Years Resolutions, however I do think the idea of setting goals can be exciting. 2012 was my year of running. One race per month, with at least one half marathon. New Years Day last year included running and jumping into freezing water. Great way to start off a year of good running. This year my goal is to run four half marathons. No resolutions, no diets, just four half’s. Oh and I also have a goal of keeping my cool at the gym when all the resolutioners hog my spin classes. At least they only come to the gym for about a month.
  
  Enough about goals and running, you all want to hear about my wild night on the town for NYE!! Before I get to that, I’ll start with the beginning of my day. What better way to spend the end of the year than in a room full of half naked sweaty people?
  
  My first hot yoga class showed me beads of sweat on my skin in places I’ve never seen before. There is something magical about seeing sweat roll off your body, knowing that you are releasing stress and toxins onto your yoga towel. I did get dizzy a few times, and at one point felt a little queasy, but a few deep breaths and a burp cured that and the 90 minutes flew by.
  
  I was a little disappointed with how clothed everyone was. My yogi master (Manfriend) advised me to go with just shorts and a sports bra, so that’s what I did. There was only one other woman in there without a shirt. Once we started flowing, the heat really brought out my abs.
  
  Don’t be jealous, it takes a lot of cookies and cake to achieve this ab perfection. I had a blast doing this with my aunt, and can’t wait to get home and do it again with boyfriend.
  
  After a much needed shower and refuel, I did some running around with my cousin to kill time before our big party of the night. On our way out of Walmart, some representatives were giving away free food. It’s always a good day when you get free food.
  
  Four hours later, it was time for the main event.
  
  Once again, please hold back your jealousy for my night of Bingo. You know you’re getting old when you’d rather play 3hours of bingo and be home by 9:45 than go out and party. Unfortunately I didn’t win anything, but I got close. Next time..I’ll win the jackpot.
  
  Today is a day spent running, enjoying family time, and relaxing. Happy New Year!!
  
  Q: How was your NYE??
  
  | 48 Comments Tagged Bikram, New Year, Running, Yoga
- Fascinating Food
  
  Posted at 4:06 PM by Brittany, on December 30, 2012
  
  While playing a game with my younger siblings, I discovered that we are indeed of the same blood line. I asked a question, and my brother answered perfectly.
  
  I would have to agree to a degree, one of the most fascinating things about being a human is comprehending the amazing flavors of different foods. I’ve been away from home, but I haven’t been slacking in the food department. My Arizonian family agreed to go to a vegan restaurant with me and fortunately for me this restaurant is located in Seattle too!
  
  Started with an Asian style soup, and a sip of my dads Indian style chai.
  
  I love Asian food, but I like getting American style vegan food. I find it to be more fascinating and impressive when a vegan protein can resemble real meat. I went vegan because I love animals, not because I didn’t like the taste of meat! I got the Hawaiian burger with a side of steamed veggies.
  
  This burger was a mess, which lets you know it was delicious. Overall everyone approved..except the one that got the nasty vegan hot dog. It was rough, even I didn’t like it. Dessert always saves the day.
  
  I haven’t had carrot cake in years. This was delicious. An unpictured cheesecake was also annihilated.
  
  I’ve eaten a LOT of food, so I’ve been running a lot too. Today I had an amazing 8miler, and the previous two days I had comfortable 3milers. TOMORROW I am going to my first hot yoga class with my aunt and I couldn’t be more excited!
  
  Q: Does your family eat the same way you do? No, but everyone makes an effort to try my hippie fuel.
  
  | 38 Comments Tagged Food, Rest, Running, Vegan
- Holiday Spirit
  
  Posted at 11:37 AM by Brittany, on December 21, 2012
  
  This is the easiest/most adorable craft you could possibly do for a Christmas gift.
  
  Salt shaker from Bed Bath and Beyond, a mini tree from Joanne’s, glitter, glue, saran wrap, and some ribbon! Simply glue the tree to the bottom of the shaker, put in whatever kind of glitter/fake snow you want, saran wrap the top so that the glitter doesn’t fall out, and wrap the top with a bow color of your choice!
  
  I just can’t get over the adorableness.
  
  Q: Have you made any holiday like crafts recently?? Share them with meee!!
  
  | 39 Comments Tagged Christmas, Craft, DIY, Pinterest
- The Grinch 10K
  
  Posted at 9:56 AM by Brittany, on December 16, 2012
  
  Last December I set a goal to run one race per month for an entire year. Overall I was successful with this goal. I missed one race in August, and in November I made my own Turkey Trot because I went to sign up too late. Ok so I missed two races, but I’m going to pretend that the T-Trot counts. The year has flown by, and if you asked me last year about all the races and runs I would have completed I would have laughed in your face. Yesterday I ran my last race of 2012.
  
  The day was cold. I mean really cold.
  
  It also was trying to rain, but thankfully held off until the race was over. I always get to races extra early to avoid last minute crowds trying to get their packets. I don’t want any added stress, otherwise it would jeopardize my chances of winning. Joke..
  
  The 5K was called The Frosty 5K, and the 10K was The Grinch 10K. I’d rather be The Grinch anyway. I should have worn green. Instead I attempted dressing to the occasion.
  
  My shirt has candy canes and my socks are Santa-ish. I didn’t win best costume, but I tried. I wanted to wear my new leggings, but didn’t dare get them ruined.
  
  I’m in love
  
  This race course was the same as the race I ran in March for St.Patty’s day. This meant the chances for a legit PR would be good. I have come to realize that no matter where I am when I run, whether it’s in a “race” or running on the road for fun I always have the same pace. I never try to actually “race.” Just keep that information in your frontal lobe, I’ll come back to it.
  
  Once the race started I warmed up pretty quick. For the first 3 miles the pace was a steady 10:30. This is my regular pace. I felt fine, and was enjoying the run. At about mile 4 I saw an older gentleman start to pass me. Something inside of me clicked and all of a sudden I was like, “No.” Just no..no this man is not going to pass me, and no I am not going to leisurely finish this race. So I turned on the juices. Right before the huge hill nonetheless. I turned the pace from 10:30 to 9:30 and held strong the rest of the race.
  
  Once I started to feel myself slowing down, another girl around my age came out of no where and had an amazing cadence and stride to her run. She started to pull ahead of me. Once again I said, “no.” I turned up the juices even more. At this point I wasn’t going for a PR, I just wanted to beat this girl. She was on my heels for over half of a mile. Right before the end another fatty hill reared it’s ugly face, and thankfully Manfriend was there to give me that extra push I needed. Once the end was in sight I ran as fast as I could and left her in my dust.
  
  Overall finish time was 1:01:32 with a 9:55 pace. EXACTLY 2 minutes faster than my last 10K. Literally down to the second. I shaved 2 minutes off, and if I had only “raced” from the beginning I could have gotten that sub 1:00!! Next time..for sure. I am more than happy with this race rounding out my year.
  
  Afterwards I stuffed my face with a vegan burger and brainstormed ideas for 2013 fitness goals. I see some more half marathons in my near future!!
  
  Q: What were your main fitness goals of 2012?
  
  | 40 Comments Tagged Christmas, Race, Running, Vegan
- Cupcakes and Lace
  
  Posted at 9:33 AM by Brittany, on December 11, 2012
  
  If I were more of a crafty fashionista I would use this title as a blog URL. Actually I couldn’t because I just Googled it and this blog name is already taken, so I will just use it as a title. Lately I have been clothes shopping a lot. By a lot I mean like 3 times. THAT IS A LOT for me. I never shop..I hate it. I hardly find anything I like, and when I do it’s workout gear.
  
  I own ONE pair of jeans, and these are frumpy jeans that I wore to work at TJ’s because leggings just weren’t going to cut it at this job. I kept the jeans in case I ever need to do yard work or something messy. I don’t do jeans, I just don’t. While shopping the other day I found the most adorable pair of skinnies. I bought them, and have worn them like everyday. I also found a dress that brought out my inner grandma and fell in love with the sleeves.
  
  I had to snap a picture to prove that I was in fact born with two X’s. I just love those sleeves! Oh I also wanted to make up for the barbaric photo’s from yesterdays post! HA!
  
  More importantly, I am officially addicted and made a late night trip to The Bearded Lady. I went with the idea of getting ONE cupcake. I should have known, what a joke..ONE?!
  
  So I left with two cupcakes and a brownie. I wasn’t alone though, never do stealth operations alone.
  
  Gingerbread orange
  
  Gingerbread plum
  
  Blackberry chocolate brownie
  
  I need help.
  
  Q: Do you like shopping for clothes?
  
  | 48 Comments Tagged Bearded Lady, Shopping, Vegan
- No Shame
  
  Posted at 8:56 AM by Brittany, on December 10, 2012
  
  Saturday I went to Seattle with my mom.
  
  We rode on this.
  
  We sat up top, there was no heating, and middle aged women were talking louder than a howler monkey. The bus took us to Seattle to shop, so shop we did. Naturally the highlight of my shopping experience was the food. The Veggie Grill just opened up their second Washington location, which happened to be right where we were shopping. YES!
  
  If you live in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, or Washington I suggest you eat here. It’s an all vegan restaurant, but don’t let that scare you. It’s delicious. Don’t believe me? Well I have some pictures that speak for themselves.
  
  “This is dripping ALL OVER MY HAND!” I also look like a small forest rodent.
  
  “I hope the table next to me isn’t watching.”
  
  “This burger is a mess.”
  
  “ANNND back for more.”
  
  “Is it too soon to want seconds?”
  
  I would like to thank my mom for capturing my true beauty in these photos. I clearly have no shame, and will do whatever it takes to convince my readers of a good foodie find. This place was good. Oh and in case anyone wants to know what I was eating, it was this.
  
  The VG Cheeseburger, El Dorado Style
  
  The bus ride home was filled with those same middle aged women, drunk, and dancing on the lower level of the bus. They are lucky I was sober or I would have pulled out my dance moves and their jaws would have hit the floor. I look identical to this guy when I bust a move. My hero is JT too.
  
  To Cliff Note this post I’ll say: I hung out with my mom for an entire day, I rode a double decker English bus, I froze, I ate a delicious vegan burger, and I experienced drunk older women. I slept well that night.
  
  Q: Have you ever ridden on/in a funky vehicle?
  
  | 42 Comments Tagged Adventure, Vegan, Veggie Grill
- Let’s Get Crafty
  
  Posted at 6:21 PM by Brittany, on December 5, 2012
  
  Being the Pinterest addict that I am, I found a craft on there I just had to make. Since I don’t know the exact website of origin, I can’t give credit to anyone other than Pinterest. So here’s my craft, courtesy of Pinterest.
  
  Some of you may have seen this, and when I did I immediately fell in love with the idea.
  
  A deck of cards, printed sheets with typed reasons of love, construction paper, two scrabble peices, a hole punch, glue, and binding rings.
  
  This craft was so much fun. It was time consuming at parts, which helped to keep me busy. If anyone is looking for an adorably fun craft, this is it! I chose to not use the side of the cards with the jack, queen, or the king. These were too “busy” looking to me and I didn’t want the typed words to get lost in the chaos of the picture on the card. That’s the extent of my craftiness for the year.
  
  After my craft making I went on a 5mile run, and then had an amazing home cooked meal that was inspired by the lovely Amanda. I am already craving a second helping.
  
  Asparagus with peppers, onions, and garlic. Baked potato slices with thyme and salt. Brown rice with field roast holiday roast and some beets.
  
  The rest of my evening will be polished off with some popcorn and a holiday movie. I also see a vegan cupcake in my very near future.
  
  Q: Do you like to make gifts, or buy them? I like both..it depends on the situation. Homemade gifts are more rewarding, but you can’t craft up a dolphin giving you a ride into Narnia. That’s something only money can buy.
  
  | 43 Comments Tagged Craft, Pinterest, Running, Vegan
- Car Talk
  
  Posted at 9:59 AM by Brittany, on December 3, 2012
  
  My ‘hood’ has had a few car break-ins over the last couple months. I decided to prepare myself should this happen to me. Once you have a break-in you are no longer a neighborhood..you are simply a “hood.” This is my car bag.
  
  Inside the bag is: My licence, registration, insurance, GPS, wallet, and KEYS. Most important part of this car bag is the keys. This way I cannot drive off without all these driving essentials. Plus this gave me a perfect excuse to use the bag I got from this race. I bring the bag inside after I come home and hang it on my door to grab as I go.
  
  Now if anyone decides they want to mess with my car, the best they are getting are some spare tampons and a name tag from Trader Joe’s. Suckerrss!! Speaking of cars..check out my G-ride. This one’s for you dad..
  
  What’s wrong with this picture. OHH, there’s a missing hubcap! I might have shed a small tear once I saw this for the first time. I suspect this was stolen when the theives were made they couldn’t get through my G-force protection layer on my car. Or maybe it flew off while I was ~~speeding~~ driving the speed limit on the freeway. Either way I am too cheap to go buy new ones, so for now I will be the classy driver with a missing hubcap.
  
  I made this recipe yesterday and it was a bomb. For those of you that are too lazy to click the link, it was pumpkin banana bread. I don’t know where I went wrong, but it was more like pumpkin banana mush. It tastes ok, but it’s definitely not “bread.”
  
  I found a half marathon I want to run in February. That’s pretty self explanatory.
  
  On that note I will leave you all with my biggest Christmas wish.
  
  Q: Do you take any precautions to ensure you don’t get your car stuff stolen?? YOU SHOULD!!
  
  | 60 Comments Tagged Cats, Random, Recipe, Running
- Adventures in Canadaland
  
  Posted at 11:25 AM by Brittany, on December 1, 2012
  
  This week I went to Victoria, BC. This is partially why I have been MIA for almost a week.
  
  I saw a lot of gorgeous architecture.
  
  Parliament
  
  The Empress Hotel
  
  Random building in tourist town
  
  I ate a LOT of good food. I wanted to ensure that I experienced Victoria for their food, and didn’t want to eat anything I could eat in my hometown. I found a flyer for a vegan restaurant and asked two locals how to get there. 20 minutes later I was eating some amazing vegan food.
  
  That cake was so good
  
  I stumbled upon the most amazing Mexican cafe after deviating from the tourist area.
  
  This burrito was almost $10, but it was so incredibly heavy and stuffed with so much amazingness, I had to save 1/4 for later. SO.GOOD.
  
  I needed something sweet to wash it down, so I found another cafe that sold vegan brownies.
  
  Unfortunately, this brownie lacked in flavor and “kapow!”
  
  I also stumbled upon the tea store I see all over the Candian bloggers pages. There are only like 4 of these in the states, but the closest to me is California. It was more fun to see it in Canada anyway.
  
  I sampled that sleigh ride tea, SO GOOD!
  
  Canadian friends I need your help..what is this?
  
  It was some kind of squishy looking fruit. It almost looked like lychee.
  
  The main part of this getaway was to “relax.” I spent WAYY too much money on a hot stone massage, but I tried it once and now I know.
  
  I came home with a small bottle of Canadian maple syrup, and I can’t wait to give it a test drive on some pancakes or waffles. Or maybe I can just drink it straight from the bottle.
  
  I loved this town. It was calm, quiet, simple, and the location was gorgeous. The cafe’s and food were perfect and I never struggled to find good food. What better way to experience a new area than by tasting it? See ya soon Canada!
  
  Q: How do you like to experience a new area? Walking the streets, and tasting the eats!
  
  | 53 Comments Tagged Adventure, Travel, Vegan
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie
  
  Posted at 12:44 PM by Brittany, on November 25, 2012
  A few of you (5 to be exact) asked for the pumpkin pie recipe I made a few days ago! I sadly have no idea where this recipe came from, and since I made some alterations of my own I think it’s safe to post it!
  
  Vegan Pumpkin Pie
  
  Ingredients:
  
  For the crust
  - 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
  - 1/4 tsp salt
  - 1/4 cup coconut oil
  - 4-8 tablespoons almond milk (vanilla)
  For the filling
  - 1 (15oz) can of pumpkin (I ended up adding more as the taste testing went on before baking, not much maybe another half of a cup)
  - 15 oz firm silken tofu
  - 3/4 cup raw sugar
  - 1 tablespoon cinnamon (and then some!)
  - 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  - 1/4 tsp salt
  - 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  Directions:
  
  For the crust
  
  Preheat oven to 400F and get your pie plate out. In a large bowl sift mix together the flour and salt. Add in the oil slowly bit by bit stirring with a fork until it’s all added in. The flour should resemble coarse sand. Sprinkle in the almond milk 2 tblsp at a time and mix with your hands until you form a solid dough. Be sure not to over work the dough. Form the dough into a ball and set on a piece of wax paper. Place another sheet of wax paper ontop and toll out the dough until it’s in a wide enough circle to fit your pie plate.
  
  The directions then say to poke all over the dough with a fork, and bake for 12-15 min before adding the filling. I did not do this step. I actually didn’t see this part until right now as I type this..oops. The pie turned out fine, but you may choose to include this step.
  
  For the filling
  
  Empty silken tofu into your blender of food processor, I used my blender. Blend until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until everything is combined well. Pour the filling into the pie pan lined with your crust and bake at 375F for one hour, or until a toothpick comes out smooth.
  
  I did have a piece right as it came out of the oven, and found that this texture holds up better when it’s cooled overnight or for a few hours. Once left in the fridge for the night, it solidified enough to be an exact replica of non vegan pumpkin pies. The tofu blends in well to the myriad of other flavors and adds some great protein to accompany the fiber from the pumpkin. Who said eating pie was bad!?
  
  Q: Have you ever made a dessert using tofu? Would you?
  | 45 Comments Tagged Dessert, Pumpkin, Recipe, Vegan
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