Tag: Cats

• When I’m Not

  Posted at 5:47 AM by Brittany, on June 22, 2015

  One of my favorite things about blogging is having a space to purge all the random thoughts that swarm inside my brain. Doing this also allows me to connect with other like minded bloggers, forming lifelong connections and genuine friendships.

  

  My number one friend.

  Sharing my love for plant based food and cats allowed me to connect with Kayse, a creative girl with a green thumb and a hand for art. After lusting over her art work for months, she kindly sent me a customized dapper cat portrait of my dude.

  

  Words cannot express my gratitude. Please do yourself a favor and check out her online shop, the art she creates is so unique and fabulous.

  Ok, time to purge some thoughts.

  When I’m not blogging, or having a stare off with my cat, I’m usually eating. I haven’t posted a recipe on the blog in MONTHS, simply because I’ve been enjoying exploring OTHER peoples food. I’ve found a few companies that cater to walking science projects like myself, and I happily support them. Local eats are my favorite.

  

  Local pizza, I’m all about that pie life right now.

  When I’m not eating I’m running. 100 mile May gave me my recent running mindset. I’m in a fantastic routine where I am excited about my daily runs, and on the off chance I’m not I skip it for something else. It’s a beautiful thing.

  

  There’s also more room for cupcakes when I have a consistent running routine, that’s also a beautiful thing. Balance in bliss.

  

  You’d never guess these cupcakes were dairy free, gluten free, soy free, rice free, nut free, egg free, dinosaur free, spinach free, & broken glass free.

  They fall into the “if one doesn’t take up your entire hand you need two” category.

  

  Just like these donuts.

  I think I need to make these two hand treat photos a thing.

  When I’m not eating or running I’m playing with coffee at work. I haven’t created any of my own coffee tastings lately, but I have been putting together mini ones at work for my coworkers with featured coffee’s and Starbucks food. 
  

  

  This blend has a beautifully complex flavor of red currant, with a bright and sparkling acidity typical of African grown coffee. I don’t prefer these tasting notes, but I try to explore other options once in a while.

  When I’m not working I’m still spending time with my coworkers. We’re family.

  

  My fellow coffee master ❤

  We all love to drink coffee.

  

  When I’m not with other people I’m exploring alone.

  

  My happy place.

  I love blogging, but lately I’ve been enjoying life away from it all more. Eating, running, working, and exploring have taken top spot which is typical of the summer months. I just can’t soak up enough adventure fast enough!

  On that note, I’m off to explore. I mean…off to work.

  Q: What things take up most of your time?

  

  | 59 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Cats, Coffee, Coffee Master, Cupcake, Donuts, Plant Based, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• Facts

  Posted at 6:00 AM by Brittany, on May 12, 2015

  Fact: A good human being gives you food. Lord help them if I get hangry…

  

  These CORE bars are complete meals on the go, and they are SO good! My favorite part? They perish. 1 week on the go, 1 month in the fridge, and 9 months in the freezer: Real food goes bad. Perfect for hiking, biking, or running late to work.

  These were gifted to me, but you can find them online or at a select handful of Whole Foods locations. Eat good, feel good.

  

  Fact: Potatoes are the essence of life. I cannot stop eating them. All of them.

  

  Sweet potato the size of a walrus with veggies. I then ate half with almond butter and honey.

  

  Sweet potatoes with rosemary.

  

  Russet potato along side this plate of color explosions

  

  Sweet potato with veggies. And then another one for dessert. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  

  Gold potatoes with spinach and asparagus.

  Fact: I’ve become the Mary Poppins of pet sitting. Four pets in the last 2 months.

  

  Said goodbye to this guy…

  

  …and said hello to this guy (again)

  Maybe I’ll quit my day job….

  

  Maybe not. I did just get promoted after all. #ifinallysaidyes

  Fact: Summer is coming. I’ve started prepping for minimal clothing season by partaking in a running “challenge.” 100 mile May. Amateur stuff for those ultra runners, but it keeps me running daily even if just 3-4 miles.

  

  

  It helps balance out the potatoes…

  

  Fact: Bananas are under-appreciated. I’ve been dipping mine into a mix of seeds: hemp, sunflower, and pumpkin. Or with a Core bar…or both. 😉

  

  Scratch that…fruit in general. I’m literally eating at least 6-7 servings a day right now.

  Fact: I sometimes change out of running clothes, but it’s rare.

  

  Fact: This post was nothing more than a giant excuse to purge random photos I’ve taken the last two weeks in a format other than my usual Early Morning Confessions.

  I’ll leave you with a photo of some of the worst coffee I’ve consumed in months. Tasted like foot soaked bath water. I still drank it.

  

  Waiting for an oil change is a luxurious event. Fully equipped with PJ’s and terrible coffee.

  Q: What’s your fact for the day?

  

  | 59 Comments Tagged Cats, Coffee, Facts, Garmin, House Sitting, Random, Run, Running, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:06 AM by Brittany, on April 21, 2015

  1. I know you’re all waiting on the edge of your seat to find out how my dental appointment went to get a foreign chunk of matter cemented to my tooth, also known as a crown. Well I’m jazzed to report I did not need one after all, and instead my tooth was stuffed with a composite filling. Big fat win because you can’t even tell I had a hole in my tooth, and I can now successfully move forward with my life.

  2. I’ve been spending a solid chunk of my time with other peoples fur children. Back to back to back house/pet sitting is keeping me busy. Meet my current time filler, Lobby.

  

  3. A customer came into Starbucks last Friday and handed me $100. He then leaned in and whispered to me, “I know this is a total pain in the a#$, but can you use this for the people after me until it’s gone?” Good Samaritan, it is no pain in my a#$ at all to pass on feel goods to the world. And for that, I thank you.

  4. I’ve had an insatiable craving for both cinnamon rolls and apple fritters lately. The kind you’d buy at a bakery laden with sugary glaze. I tried to combat these cravings by making my own cinnamon rolls. I put ground coffee in the center because why not.

  Well I’ll tell you why not…I put TOO MUCH coffee!! I never thought I’d type those words. I ate all of them, but they need some work.

  

  Before going into the sauna.

  5. I’m already wishywashing my current plans for my future. I’m a lost cause.

  6. When I’m not wrangling other peoples children pets I’m spending time with mine.

  

  7. I’ve been enjoying spending one of my days off each week in Seattle. I go run around Greenlake, walk around it, and then I eat. I eat all the things.

  8. I’m loving walking around my town lately, and pretending I’m somewhere else.

  Like Italy.

  

  I think this is what a rustic Italian building would look like.

  

  9. I seem to have some kind of digestive intolerance to nuts, specifically peanut butter. This is a very depressing discovery. I’m going to avoid nuts for a bit and see how it goes incorporating certain types back into my diet in the future.

  10. With that said, I tried a random new rice cake combo. Instead of my usual nut butter and fruit combo, I swapped in coconut oil. I tried it with cinnamon and dried figs, and loved it so much I ended up dipping the figs straight into the oil.

  

  My mind was blown all the way to mars. Obsessed.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Cats, Coffee, Confessions, Random, Running, Teeth, 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

• 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

• Post Vacation Shenanigans

  Posted at 6:45 AM by Brittany, on September 22, 2014

  Since arriving home from my mini trip to LA, things have been busy. The day after I came home I attended the most adorable/rustic wedding for a former coworker of mine. Total swoon city.

  

  

  The dinner tables were littered with pages from Harry Potter and large vegetables.

  

  The day after the wedding I had my long run for the week. I worked 5:30-2 that day which meant I had to run in the peak of the heat. I was dead, it hurt, I wanted to quit, but I slowly finished.

  This is also the day I started house sitting for the honeymooners from the wedding I went to, and another lovely lady that frequents Starbucks. I was able to run in a different town because of this!

  

  The run was a bad idea. Well, I would have done it regardless, but it further induced a minor head cold that was brewing behind the scenes. It started with a sore throat, and progressed to full on mucus overload. I blame germ infested Disneyland and airplane travels!

  I ended up skipping my run last Tuesday because I couldn’t muster the energy. Instead, I walked to a local yet new to me coffee shop, enjoyed a cup of black coffee, and proceeded to go for a walk around the water. This was a much better decision.

  

  

  

  

  One of the houses I am house sitting for is within walking distance of an adorable row of stores, coffee shops, and the water. I am in pure heaven staying here.

  It seems that taking a couple days off from running and going to bed before 8 for a couple nights put me on the fast train to healthy town. I was able to run a 3 miler last Wednesday, which put me back on track for the week along with a few more 3 mile runs, and a 6 miler yesterday.

  I’m much better this week, but man do I hate getting sick.

  

  Truth, my mom was sick, my coworkers were sick, I didn’t prepare for this!

  Today I go back to school, and the adorable house I am staying in right now is giving me the motivation to power through chemistry (my third chem class, and they never get easier) with the end goal in site! I want to buy one of these tiny houses!! WEEE. OH and as promised/requested here are two lovely photos of the cat I am house sitting with, in all her (semi) lion cut glory.

  

  

  Meow.

  Q: What are your remedies for a head cold? I eat oranges like they’re crack, rest like I’m a mummy, and let the bugs run their course. Thankfully it never lasts more than a few days. 

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Cats, Random, Run, Running, Wedding

• The Gift of Giving

  Posted at 11:39 AM by Brittany, on December 18, 2013

  I can be difficult to shop for. I am a bit of a minimalist, and hate when my belongings get too cluttered. If I don’t need it then I probably don’t want it (unless it’s a camera..totally need that.) When my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I said nothing, I meant it. I know she gets joy in buying things for her kids, so I obliged and went on a hunt for things I wanted, but that were also useful. Think workout clothes, future house decorations, and of course…coffee. Always coffee.

  I want to share a gift that I bought for myself, that my mom paid me back for, that is safely kept in my room, but will be given to me for Christmas….Don’t ask. If you have read my blog for a while you will know I ADORE a good, solid, wood box. Think wine box..hence the wine box garden. When I saw this at Starbucks I knew I had to have it, simply for the box..and for the adorable burlap bags. Reusable gifts are my favorite.

  

  

  Love this..

  I plan to decorate my future house with this adorable box and reuse the bags for something. I’m not sure what, but I will find something! Do I need these things? No..not really, so when something new comes in, something old must go out. I am constantly donating my slightly used items to others in order to justify my new items. Clutter makes me anxious and I don’t see the use in holding onto things that aren’t being used.

  All in all, I just love to give. I get a bit overwhelmed by the commercializing of the Christmas holiday. I think Christmas is about spending time with those that you love, and sharing what you have. Sharing your time, sharing your skills, sharing your money, all of it. I get the most joy in giving to those that are in need. While helping others is something I like to do year round, something about the holidays makes it that much easier to give.

  

  I bought this for my fellow cat loving friend. It’s a picture holder, and a fat cat..enough said. Small, yet meaningful.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love to receive gifts and I am very thankful when I do, but I get more joy when I give them. I also appreciate totally unnecessary gifts once in a while, but like all things in my life-balance is bliss.

  I challenge you to give something to someone in need this week. Give your time, give your skills (which includes time too, double whammy!), or share your wealth with someone less fortunate. If you need some ideas on how to give back this week, check out this website! It has some fun ideas! I guarantee that when you give big, you will get back even bigger!

  Q: What’s your favorite way to give back? I love new ideas!

  

  | 33 Comments Tagged Cats, Christmas, Giving, Holiday

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 5:21 AM by Brittany, on July 29, 2013

  1. Lately my life has been very textbook. I literally do the same thing everyday. I wake up, I coffee, I eat, I let coffee do its job, I run, I work, I run, I eat, I sleep, I work. My days are a bit numb, but I’m glad to be busy. I’m working 11 days in a row and I don’t even care.

  

  My own smoothie creation.

  2. If you dare me to do something I’ll most likely do it. Add money to the conversation and it’s a sure go. I made a dollar yesterday just to bite into a brown banana. Don’t people know that this is when bananas are best? I didn’t dare spill my secret, and my dollar is safe in my pocket. I imagined biting the banana skin is what it’s like to be a Tasmanian devil. 

  3. While taking awkward photos proving I occasionally wear girl clothes before the wedding I went to last weekend, I noticed my uneven scapula’s. When I was 13 I broke my collar bone, and clearly the broken size droops. I had no idea..haha.

  

  I was trying to show off my runners tan, and instead I have a pathetic tan and uneven shoulders. Please tell me you notice it… it’s on —> side.

  4. I don’t like telling people I’m a vegan. In fact I don’t really like calling myself a vegan. The title is too stereotypical these days and too many people judge me before they know me. Just because I don’t want to put dead animals or their teet milk in my body, doesn’t mean I run around with butterflies and rainbows. My blog is another story obviously.

  5. My meals have been completely unimaginative lately. I need to find my spark in the kitchen again because I miss it. All I eat are a lot of veggie bowls with some kind of protein base. I also still lather my face with peanut butter, I just can’t get enough. Oh and fruit. Basically I am pretending I am a survivalist in my kitchen and eating off the land.

  

  

  Lunch break with lady green.

  6. I am already craving fall. Crisp morning runs, crunchy leaves, pumpkin GALORE! Only a couple more months!! Just the thought makes me twitch with excitement. Twitch.

  7. My cat is a ninja. That is all.

  

  Climbing up jackets on the wall.

  

  Observing his prey (aka me while I am running..what a creep!) Also please don’t be jealous of my TV circa the 1700’s.

  

  Fangs of death.

  8. My confession posts are becoming more frequent. My topics to write about are too small for their own post, but just important enough to deserve being mentioned. It’s time I work on a new recipe. I haven’t had cake in weeks and my desire to shank is coming back.

  9. Somehow the Starbucks bag makes it into a lot of my pictures. The wannabe photographer in me thinks it’s artsy. Hanging out with my cat all day will do that.

  

  10. I used to wake up at 3:30 AM every morning for work. Today I woke up at 4:30 AM for work and felt like I was hobbling around like a drunk monkey. HOW did I do this every morning? Just another example of the wonder that is the human body. After an hour and an IV of coffee I was agile and glad to be up before the sun, and the world.

  Q: Who likes to wake up early? I do I do, but my ideal time is 6AM.
  

  

  | 84 Comments Tagged Cats, Coffee, Confessions, Random, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 6:50 AM by Brittany, on July 19, 2013

  1. My dad once told me, “a sandwich is not a sandwich without some crunch.” I couldn’t agree more. Chips make for the ultimate crunch in a sandwich, but so does kale and chard.

  

  

  Perfect bread:greens ratio.

  2. I’ve consumed way too much coffee lately. Sigh.

  3. I won the most amazing giveaway a few days ago. I was lucky enough to finally try Lindsay’s healthy bites and OH MY GOSH. They have been taunting me for months, but after tasting them..I died and went to heaven. Please order yourself some, NOW!

  

  4. I was supposed to store my healthy bites in the freezer, but that was not necessary. I knew they would be gone within a few days…I was right…

  5. I got my first pair of compression socks in the mail. They are cozy.

  

  Black..to match my soul.

  6. I signed up for my third half marathon in October. Whoop whoop. I am super jazzed.

  7. The only reason I carry a bag while I’m away on day trips is to smuggle food with me.

  

  Food and a rubber-banded wad of cash…to buy more food.

  8. I’m almost ashamed at the amount of PB I have eaten in the last week. Almost, but not really. I will be getting more the moment I hit publish on this post.

  9. My cat has learned how to climb up jackets that are hanging on the wall. Such a ninja.

  

  Please notice the tongue slightly sticking out. Such a creep.

  10. This post is ridiculously sporadic and has little to no depth. For a more meaningful post go back and read my last post about my amazing running. I love running. YAY running.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 75 Comments Tagged Cats, Confessions, Half Marathon, Random, Running, Vegan

• Bloggers

  Posted at 8:43 AM by Brittany, on July 12, 2013

  Can I just say how much I love blog friends? There are a few people I have become very close with in the last year, just from blogging and reading each others blogs. Text messages, phone calls, vacation plans, and even unexpected gifts have taken place!

  

  The best gifts are the ones that are personal. If you know me, you know I love to bake (specifically cupcakes) and I LOVE CATS! HELLO cutest cupcake liners I have ever seen! This amazing gift came from one of my FAVORITE bloggers Lily. I love this girl so much I am planning to attend her wedding next year with another favorite blogger, Megan! It takes a blogger to understand the bonds we form from all over the world, and it’s a bond I wouldn’t trade for anything. Not even cupcakes! THANK you again Lily, this made my day!

  Megan and I met in real life two months ago when she was visiting Seattle, and we became instant BFF’s. I am so excited to road trip it to Michigan with her next March!! Any other bloggers in the DC/Virginia area should HOLLLERRR for a giant blogger party meet up!

  

  My best friend sent me this picture on NYE, it made my day life.

  Happy Friday everyone!!

  Q: Who’s coming over for kitty cupcakes!?

  

  | 56 Comments Tagged Blog, Bloggers, Cats, Cupcake, Running

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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