Tag: Run

• Coffee Knowledge

  Posted at 7:12 AM by Brittany, on July 14, 2015

  Let’s talk coffee, shall we?

  I was given a blend of beans the other day with no information other than the person it was from, and the name he had given it. I was excited to try his homemade blend and see if my coffee knowledge was up to speed. Upon grinding the beans I immediately detected scents of berries, a characteristic of a sun-dried coffee.

  Once the fresh ground coffee steeped in my French press for four(ish) minutes, I plunged, poured, smelled, slurped, and savored. My palate was overwhelmed with flavors of blueberries and nuts, and I immediately knew this blend had African and Latin American grown beans. What I didn’t pick up on was the Indonesian beans, which I was told about after I had guessed the blend. Apparently the full body and herbal flavor typical of Indonesian beans comes out as the coffee cools.

  I didn’t wait long enough to let it cool. 😉

  

  My life quote.

  I haven’t been focusing on the tasting aspect of my job lately, simply because I’ve been focusing on grasping everything there is to grasp about being a supervisor. Now that I’ve got a handle on things I want to get back to my coffee tasting adventures.

  

  I remember a time many moons ago when I tried to combine two very different coffee blends into one because I wanted to save space in my pantry. Coffee is coffee right?

  Oh how wrong I was, I ended up throwing it all out. RIP handpicked beans.

  

  I’m now comfortable with combining blends, knowing which will pair well, and which will not. When I noticed I was a handful of Maui beans shy of a full French press I knew exactly which blend to complete my morning brew. The Pike Place special reserve has similar notes to the Maui coffee and they went together perfectly.

  

  They also paired perfectly with my new obsession: two ingredient almond butter maple cookies. The simpler the ingredients the better for me. 1 cup of almond butter mixed with 1/4 cup maple syrup and a dash of salt gave 10 chewy, nutty cookies that I couldn’t get enough of. Two cookies per serving thanks to the “fit in my hand” rule.

  

  I sprinkled some cinnamon and salt on top. Bake at 350F for 10-12minutes.

  Those cookies and coffee were the perfect fuel for a few extremely enjoyable runs.

  

  I debated on up-cycling some discarded snake skin I saw while on this 5 mile run (which turned into 5.10 because I insisted on a 10min or below pace) but then I found this paracord bracelet in perfect condition! I love finding treasure!

  Q: Do you pick up treasures you find while out exploring the land, or leave them behind? I usually leave behind the used Kleenex pieces and needles, but $$ and hiking tools are a must grab! Also I was totally joking about the snake skin.

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Almond Butter, Coffee, Coffee Master, Cookie, Garmin, Run

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 9:01 AM by Brittany, on July 10, 2015

  1. It’s been over two months since my last confessions post, we’re long overdue.

  2. I ran 4 miles in just my socks a few days ago. I didn’t have my running shoes, but wanted to run. I also tested the Nike app because I didn’t have my Garmin. I run in barefoot shoes anyway, so it wasn’t much different. OK it was kinda different.

  

  I did this + another 1.67 miles. + 2 miles earlier in the day. 6 miles total. Almond butter by the spoonful when I got home…

  3. I slept until just before 8 this morning. That never happens, but my inner zombie took over and forced me to keep my eyes closed. This is now mid morning confessions.

  4. I received partner of the quarter at work and was humbly surprised. What a special treat, my coworkers are too good to me. Thanks guys. ❤

  

  5. It’s been in the high 80’s/low 90’s here, and I’m dying. I am loving sunny running though because it makes it way easier to spot shiny reflective road change. $$

  6. I am trying to justify why I need another French press because I found one that I need. Yes, need. It’s so rustic and beautiful.

  

  7. Then again, the last time I purchased a French press with wood accents it chipped immediately. This one seems a bit more sturdy though.

  8. Whattttuuuuuppp tomatoes from our garden!

  

  9. I started seeing a naturopath. He’s a cool dude.

  10. I’m still running in my five fingers that are a million years old. I just can’t say goodbye despite the holes…separation anxiety to the max.

  

  This photo is a month old. It’s gotten worse.

  I did finally buy a running hat though… so that’s something.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 42 Comments Tagged Confessions, French Press, REI, Run, Vibram

• Donuts and Coffee

  Posted at 7:33 AM by Brittany, on June 8, 2015

  National Running Day (NRD) and National Donut Day (NDD) were conveniently set within a day of each other. Coincidence? I think not.

  I logged 4 miles on NRD, 3 miles the next day, and 9 more miles between Sat/Sun . I wasn’t kidding when I said “I run to fit into my pants.” Thankfully I have a decent handle on the whole balance thing, and have been eating greens from my garden to counteract sugary donuts. Collards, and spinach, and rosemary – OH MY!

  

  I must be honest though and admit I did NOT actually consume a donut ON NDD. I ended up working later than planned, and good vegan donuts require a bit of travel. I instead daydreamt about the ghosts of donuts past.

  

  Specifically about this epic creation from VooDoo Doughnuts in Portland. Chocolate, Oreo’s, and peanut butter. So much yes.

  I don’t follow the rules, and despite the hype and excitement behind “national” anything day, I had no problems waiting until Sunday to embark on my donut quest.

  When I think donuts, I also think coffee. A piping hot cup of Joe as black as my cat.

  

  Meow.

  SO I ventured near Seattle, climbed a mountain, and got some donuts. Good things come to those who wait. I even risked tummy woes with the chocolate flavor.

  

  If a donut does not take up the entire space of your hand when being held, you need another one. Safe to assume you’ll always need two. If we’re being honest again I actually played too long in the forest yesterday and didn’t make it to the donut shop before it closed. I had to settle for the only two choices offered at Whole Foods.

  

  

  

  Worth it.

  What I really wanted was a maple bar and an apple fritter. Looks like I’ll be going back.

  I also didn’t have these donuts with coffee like I had planned…so this post has turned into a whirlwind of coulda, woulda, shoulda. I did have pizza and a jam filled scone though, and I have a new appreciation for geometry. Triangles = good things.

  

  I ❤ scones.

  Q: Did you celebrate NRD or NDD? Yes, yes I do fall prey to the made up holidays, but only when they support my addictions. In reality everyday is a good day for donuts and running. June 6 was national trails day…so I just clumped them all together.

  

  | 54 Comments Tagged Donuts, Hike, Pizza, Rattlesnake Ridge, Run, Scone, Vegan

• 100 Mile May

  Posted at 6:52 AM by Brittany, on June 3, 2015

  Last month I committed to running 100 miles. I think this is the most I’ve run in a single month, but my memory isn’t always the best. I ran everyday except for two, and took those two days off because my quads needed a rest day.

  To celebrate, I ran my final three miles and took myself on a date to the mountains.

  

  Running everyday wasn’t hard, and I think it’s because my usual runs were 3-4 miles, with a few longer ones in the mix. This made daily runs totally manageable.

  

  Per usual I learned some things the last month, and also reminded myself of things I already knew yet somehow forgot. It’s time for another round of running rambles.

  

  Recent Running Realizations

  1. Having a goal gives you motivation, like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

  2. Running makes you leaner, as long as you don’t eat cupcakes after every run.

  

  Though I’d sure love to have one of these every morning…and night.

  3. Running uphill is necessary, because life is all about steady progress towards a positive slope. No time for stagnant straight lines. Improvements spark success.

  4. Carbs….

  

  …on carbs…

  

  …on carbs…

  

  5. A run, is a run, is a run. I had complete peace about a couple “only two milers,” and never stressed about my pace. In fact my pace improved! Hard work gets results.

  6. Running makes you rich. Physically, mentally, spiritually, and sometimes literally.

  

  Always finding money on my runs.

  7. Running is the perfect way to de-stress. I’d be lying if I said this supervisor stuff wasn’t stressful at times during the learning process.

  8. Doing things with other people keeps you accountable. One of my coworkers was running allllll the miles too, and we would send each other completed run photos.

  

  Then we would go to Starbucks and Whole Foods, because runners need fuel.

  9. Running with short hair wins everything.

  10. Good shoes are like good friends. It’s always sad to say goodbye.

  I’ve been running in the same pair of shoes for…SIX years (with other shoes rotated in for a few of those years)!!! YEARS people. Runners know shoes need to be rotated every 5-6 months (or 500-600miles) so this is HUGE. Barefoot running has completed me in every possible way. The holes indicate it is now time for another pair.

  

  I think 100 mile months are a new thing.

  

  My last words of wisdom for the day are…

  You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to, so go out there and DO IT!

  Q: What have you set your mind to and accomplished lately?

  

  | 50 Comments Tagged Coffee, Cupcake, Garmin, Hike, National Running Day, Run, 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 7:13 AM by Brittany, on March 24, 2015

  1. I often struggle with the idea of being still. A day off from work usually means I must do something productive, find a mountain to climb, or even embark on an unplanned long run. Heaven forbid I actually use the day off to relax.

  

  

  2. Thanks to an overwhelming urge to bake, I took one of my days off last week and enjoyed the simplicity of a calm morning with good coffee and freshly baked muffins.

  3. Despite being sweetened with nothing but the natural goodness of dates, apples, and sweet potatoes, I ate half the batch for breakfast which left me maxed out for bread consumption. This meant getting creative with snacks.

  

  Bread-less PB&J. Mixing coconut oil into freshly ground peanut butter is a total game changer.

  4. My coworkers are seriously the best. I’ve never worked at a place where there is literally ZERO drama and it’s fantastic. When our bananas get “too brown to sell” they save me giant piles to take home because they know I love alllllll the bananas.

  5. For St. Patrick’s Day I ate all the greens. That’s actually a semi lie, I always eat all the greens, regardless of small men in green tights.

  

  

  6. As I write this post my cat is practicing his stair sprints. He’s fast, and I’m impressed.

  7. I was convinced there was a pine cone hanging from my tree by naturally occurring circumstances. When I got closer I realized it was hung by man. Dreams shattered.

  

  8. I didn’t run a half marathon I was registered for. I skipped it for a few reasons, one being that I didn’t want this to happen again. I got sick, stopped running, and despite training for two months I felt wildly unprepared. I had no regrets.

  9. I’ve been craving pizza so hard lately, and Pi day was THE day.

  

  My crust was a total random mash up of two zucchinis, gluten free flour, baking powder, olive oil, and salt. My sauce was blended edamame, kale, garlic, basil, olive oil, and pepper. Topped with none other than my favorite roasted root vegetables.

  Finished with sprinkles of rosemary from my garden.

  

  10. Thanks to a good ol’ fashioned random number generator (because I still write a blog created in the 18th century) the winner of the Ray-Ban Sunglasses give away is…

  Jessica! Email me at blissfulbritt@yahoo.com so I can get your deets.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 46 Comments Tagged Confessions, Explore, Hiking, Run, Vegan

• Sharing Secrets

  Posted at 6:03 AM by Brittany, on March 10, 2015

  I have two secrets that I am willing to share with you all at no extra cost. Ready? Just because a chip is made with flax seeds and coconut oil doesn’t mean you can eat five servings, and just because you’ve run “all the miles” doesn’t mean you need to eat all the cookies. You’re welcome for those tips.

  In an attempt to earn back the respect of my uncomfortably snug fitting pants I’ve swapped the processed sugars for fruit, started moderating my intake, and am focusing on smaller daily workouts. I was sick for a week and it totally threw me off my game.

  Rude. 

  

  Blueberries are rocking my world right now. One of my all time favorite snacks will forever be rice cakes with nut butter and fruit. Throw some hemp hearts on there for good measure and we can call it a day.

  

  

  I’m also loving the Whole Foods hot/cold bar, and homemade roasted potatoes.

  

  

  Adding fresh rosemary from my yard took this above and beyond.

  The moment I knew I was serious about my sugar break, (because I am notorious for claiming to “cut out foods I don’t need” for a bit and then quickly turning around to eat a sleeve of cookies), was when I did a coffee tasting…with no pairing.

  

  This was one of the reserve blends served at the Starbucks Roastery that I HAD to try. Exclusive to the roastery, meaning you cannot find this coffee anywhere else. I had every intention of pairing this with some sort of sugary treat, but alas I did not.

  

  

  This coffee was good, but I probably wouldn’t order it again. The tiered notes were more apparent as the coffee sat. The first few sips were smooth and chocolaty, and 5 minutes later the lemon notes started to sing. I don’t like singing lemons.

  I do however like singing desserts made from fruit. Fruit sugars are wonderfully satisfying when they’re your only sugar intake. Dates, coconuts, and raw cacao.

  

  Eat good, feel good.

  Q: What food(s) do you tend to mindlessly eat? Sugar, all the sugar. 

  

  | 89 Comments Tagged Raspberries, Reserve Roastery, Run, Starbucks, sugar, Vegan, Whole Foods

• 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

• 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

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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