Tag: Run

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 10:43 AM by Brittany, on August 25, 2014

  1. I have fallen in love with smoothie bowls. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  

  2. One of my regular customers came in without his wallet last week. I told him breakfast was on me and not to worry about it (the perks of being a regular.) He insisted he would come back to pay, and sure enough he did.  Along with paying for his coffee and lemon loaf he proceeded to buy a $20 gift card, and then gifted it to me. Humanity can be wonderful.

  3. I also channeled my inner Pocahontas last week and canoed myself just around the river bend.

  Or Lake Washington, same thing.

  

  This is what I look like getting blown away.

  4. I’m done with school for one month. I walked away from my summer biology class with a 4.0.

  5. On Saturday I hiked Mailbox Peak again. I didn’t even wait a full 30 days before going back. It was even more brutal the second time. I won’t be hiking this one again for a while.

  

  6. The day after the hike (yesterday) I had a Sunday long run. Ouch.

  7. Roasted cabbage….that is all.

  

  8. Looking for a good energy bite recipe? My coffee bites along with ten other recipes have been featured on Daily Burns “11 No-Bake Energy Bites” article!! So many good looking balls.

  9. Speaking of balls…I’ve become obsessed with coffee tastings and parings. Like, it’s all I think about when I’m not thinking about running, eating, or breathing. Nothing says fall like Starbucks annual Anniversary Blend. I wanted to do a tasting to highlight the spice notes along with some maple and pumpkin oat flavors. So I made some Maple Pumpkin Pie Oat Bites.

  Maple Pumpkin Pie Oat Bites

  

  Ingredients

  • 1 cup + 1 heaping tblsp uncooked oats
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 1 tblsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup creamy almond butter
  • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • heaping tblsp raw pumpkin seeds

  Directions

  1. In a medium sized bowl combine oats, ground flax, and cinnamon. Mix well.
  2. Stir in your remaining ingredients until well combined.
  3. Place the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  4. Roll the mixture into approximately 1 inch sized balls. Makes 10-12 bites.
  5. Store in air tight container.

  

  10. I then proceeded to bring these to work to have a coffee tasting with some of my coworkers.

  It was a fun time.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 63 Comments Tagged Coffee, Coffee Tasting, Confessions, Hike, Mailbox Peak, Recipe, Run, Starbucks

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:06 AM by Brittany, on July 28, 2014

  1. Costco, you’ve upped your game with this one…

  

  Three pack of coconut ice cream!? This is pure gold.

  2. My washing machine broke and I’ve been doing my laundry Little Mermaid style for over a week. Minus the crab.

  3. I had my first exam for my Biology class, and I was a bit confused after seeing my score. Come to find out it IS possible to get 16 points OVER 100%. Then I got a 95% on my first lab exam. This is good.

  

  4. I’ve been running more, and enjoying it. Win.

  5. I found this gem at an antique shop in Fremont while wandering after my 5K a few weeks ago. I love it, and will hang it on my wall.

  

  1950’s matted photo.

  6. GoodBelly probiotic fruit drink was on sale so I bought some. I’m not a fan of the added sugar, but I am a fan of going to the bathroom…multiple times…in one day. I bought three more.

  7. In running I collect medals, in hiking I collect…highlights?

  

  Mid 70 MPH photo, don’t mind the shaky quality. Highlight indicates mountains CONQUERED.

  8. My Garmin officially reset itself. All of my history is gone, my settings needed to be fixed, and the beeping sound needed to be turned off. I guess I finally maxed out?

  9. I am obsessed with this drink. Along with the Ginger Spice flavor.

  

  10. I got EIGHT mosquito bites on this hike. They itched so bad at times they woke me up at night. So I busted out my inner granola and rubbed essential oils on them (lavender, peppermint, and purification.) I’ve never wanted to harm a bug so badly…

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Confessions, Hike, Run, Vegan

• See Jane Run

  Posted at 6:41 AM by Brittany, on July 21, 2014

  A few weeks ago I won a giveaway for a free race entry from P’s blog. Hands down the best giveaway I’ve ever won. I thought I “should” run the half marathon because it’s the distance I’ve raced for the last two years, but I decided to run the 5K. Best decision of the week.

  

  I hadn’t run a 5K “race” since April 2012, and to be honest 5K races really aren’t my thing these days. I don’t usually have a desire to spend $$ on a 3 mile race, but this run was a nice change of pace.

  Everything about this race was on point. Everything.

  It could have been because of my delicious breakfast brought to you by the lady Siren of Starbucks (Komodo Dragon drip coffee-black as night), and a vegan/gluten free pumpkin ginger muffin from The Flying Apron (a local/new to me company I am obsessed with!)

  

  

  THOSE GINGER PIECES!

  It could have been because this was the first race I didn’t stress about arrival/time(MY GARMIN DIED ON ME so I didn’t even use it for the run)/weather/fuel-the joy of a short run means minimal everything.

  

  It could have been the amazing location, with some of the best views I’ve seen on a run. We ran by the water for 80% of the 3.1 miles.

  

  

  See that concrete?? That is the running path. HELLO WATER VIEW!

  It could have been the atmosphere that was overwhelmingly positive, supportive, and full of fun activities. Such as a chalk board to write why you run, a post race photo booth, and posters for spectators.

  

  My addition to the “I run because” board. I run for food, and for a healthy life…full of food.

  

  Bottom right…someone had a different idea. Valid reason…

  It could have been the girl I focused on staying with, whom I thanked after for helping me run my new race PR. If I wasn’t running the half I told myself I had to push it for the 5K. Come to find out, having me on her tail pushed her as much as me chasing her pushed me. Win.

  

  It was so hot out, I was a legit hot mess…this photo booth was very forgiving of my sweaty face.

  It could have been the immense sense of independence and power I felt in running another race among 100’s of other women. I totally choked up while reading the “motto” of this race.

  

  OR it could have been the swag bag full of food I got after the race, along with a glass of champagne and a chocolate coconut bar. I’m not a fan of champagne, or any booze really so I only drank a few sips.  My post race treat was to come later, another C word…take a guess.

  

  I got a medal…for a 5K! This NEVER happens..too legit.

  

  I’m normally a chocolate cupcake connoisseur, but this carrot vanilla cake from the heavens was so.damn.good. After the race/stuffing my face with this cupcake beauty I wandered the area and then ended up heading to Green Lake for a few more miles.

  

  I will definitely do this race again, but next year I would like to run the half. If you have a SJR event in your area (two in CA, one in WA, and one in KS) I HIGHLY suggest you run it. There were even a few men!

  

  OH-and for all you number lovers, my official time was 28:25 (9:09 pace), which is 1:33 faster than my previous race PR. I say “race PR” because I’ve run 3.1 milers on my own time that were quicker. My best EVER in general was at a 9:01 pace. SO CLOSE to sub 9min/mi.

  Also, I’ve not run under 9:30 miles in months, this was indeed a push.

  Q: What was one of your proudest accomplishments from last week?

  

  | 41 Comments Tagged 5K, Gluten Free, Race, Run, Seattle, Vegan

• Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars

  Posted at 9:16 AM by Brittany, on July 17, 2014

  I didn’t plan on posting today, or even posting this recipe at all. I had a couple people ask for it though, and I decided that I wanted to link up with the Virtual Vegan LINKY Potluck, the only link up I ever participate in! Any excuse for baked goods is a good excuse!

  

  With an abundance of raspberries in my house these days, it’s no surprise we’ve been creating all kinds of raspberry based recipes.

  

  This recipe cred actually goes to my mom, the angel that had these delicious bars baked and ready for consumption the moment I arrived home after a morning run in the hot hot sun.

  

  We made these gluten free, but you can easily sub whole wheat flour if you prefer. Either way, prepare for a raspberry flavor bomb.

  Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars (V/GF)

  

  Ingredients

  For the cake: 

  • 1 1/2 cups GF flour (I suggest Namaste Perfect Flour Blend)
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil cut in pieces
  • 1  chia egg  (1 tbsp ground chia and 3 tblsp of water)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

  For the crumble topping:

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tblsp of gluten free flour
  • pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 2 tblsp coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats

  

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F and oil an 8in square baking pan.
  2. For the crumble topping stir together the brown sugar, flour, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Cut in your coconut oil* with a knife and mix-stir until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans and oats.  Set aside.
  3. For the cake stir together the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut in your coconut oil* until mixture is crumbled. Add chia egg, almond milk, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
  4. Pour batter into your pan and scatter your raspberries evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the set aside crumble topping evenly over  the berries. Bake until cake is well risen and golden- about 50 minutes.
  5. Remove, let cool, serve, and ENJOY!

  Notes: *You don’t want to use melted coconut oil for this recipe, but solid oil can be difficult to cut. Allow your oil to be somewhat softened as if you were using room temperature butter.

  

  I suggest serving these with a side of more berries, some banana, alongside your morning coffee, or underneath a blob of vanilla coconut ice cream. These were gone in a couple days, and now I need to decide what to make next! Suggestions welcomed! 🙂

  Q: How are you taking advantage of summer berries? We’re on our second batch of fresh picked, local raspberries. We’ve gone through almost fifteen containers.

  

  | 38 Comments Tagged Gluten Free, Raspberries, Recipe, Run, Summer, Vegan, Virtual Vegan Potluck

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 3:53 AM by Brittany, on June 11, 2014

  1. My one year Starbucks anniversary was May 28th, and my assistant manager made me the happiest barista in all the land…

  

  Love this company and LOVE my coworkers. I couldn’t ask for a better crew,

  2. I’m really lazy when it comes to using my dSLR for anything other than recipe photo shoots, as you’ll see in this post-iPhone photos.

  3. I’ve learned some pretty epic shit about coffee. So close…

  

  4. I’m also really lazy about reading/commenting on blogs lately. I promise I still lurk, and I still love all my blog babes, but I just kinda fell off the reading wagon. I publish my posts and fly out the door.

  5. If you’ve been keeping up with my posts lately you’ll know I’ve been doing more hiking than running. I went for two 5 mile “zen” runs without my Garmin or music last week and it was magical.

  

  6.  I spent $37 on this pizza. I worked all morning and then hiked two mountains to earn that “drain your life savings” pizza.

  7. I was lusting over a jacket at REI for months, and it finally went on super duper sale. I bought it a size bigger than normal because I didn’t try it on, and basically I am free to roam without pants when I wear it.

  

  so.legit.

  

  Jacket or mini dress, you decide. I’m obsessed regardless.

  8. I won two giveaways in one week. Does this make it socially acceptable to say “winning?” Because it’s literal….

  9. I am obsessed with these snacks right now…whoever said rice cakes were “diet food” clearly never had them smothered in almond butter. The crunchy/creamy/fruit sugar combo is unreal.

  The almond butter/cinnamon/dates combo is like dessert.

  10. I haven’t had a cupcake in weeks, I need to rectify this.

  **UPDATE** Moments after I wrote this post (because I sometimes save a draft for a few days) I went hiking with a friend and SHE BROUGHT ME A CUPCAKE. It was like the heavens opened up.

  Scenes from that hike…

  

  Oh HEY Mt.Rainier, I’d like to dominate you someday.

  

  Leftover pizza tastes even better at the top.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Coffee, Confessions, Hike, Random, Run, Starbucks, Vegan

• Making my Meals Taste Better

  Posted at 6:12 AM by Brittany, on May 30, 2014

  I find that food takes so much better when I “earn it.” I always like to earn my treats such as cupcakes, cookies, or cupcakes AND cookies, but getting a good sweat in before an actual meal is just as rewarding. Running is my go to when I want to earn something like this…

  

  

  Local GF/Vegan chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. Ohhh my swoon.

  These were savored and swooned over after a morning run.

  Another way I like to earn my meals is with a solid hike. I’ve been able to squeeze a good hike in every week lately, sometimes two in one week. My favorite local mountain is an easy default and after 9 miles on my feet and 3.5hrs in the heat/sun I head straight for food.

  

  View from the top.

  

  View from the restaurant.

  Sunshine and open decks mean sunnies and lots of water.

  I ordered a vegetable curry bowl, because for some reason I like hot foods even on hot days. I also always drink hot coffee, never iced.

  Can’t say I claim to be normal.

  

  Not a fan of the white rice, but I ate every last bit.

  I didn’t even attempt to use those chopsticks on the side of my bowl, give me a fork STAT. I usually give chopsticks my best shot despite looking like a sloth trying to pick up a piece of rice, but I was much too hungry for that nonsense. This meal was devoured. Moving on…

  I’ve been doing a lot of yoga lately. I start every morning with 10 minutes of sun salutations, and go to a class at least once a week-Ideally twice. I enjoy eating something light, but filling after a yoga class. Tofu spring rolls always hit the spot.

  

  Last, but certainly not least refueling after spin class always varies. Early morning spin classes usually result in a cous cous veggie bowl, and evening spin classes result in something lighter like a snack bowl.

  Early morning spin classes also earn me my coffee.

  

  

  Starbucks reserve coffee is such a rare treat!

  

  How I really feel.

  The Starbucks I work at is not a Reserve Store, so I don’t get to have reserve coffee as often as I would like. Anytime I find myself near a reserve store I get myself a clover brewed reserve coffee.

  I love coffee, I love to eat, and I love getting my sweat on. Life is good.

  Q: Would you agree that meals taste better after a good workout?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Coffee, Hike, Hiking, Run, Spinning, Starbucks, Vegan, Yoga

• $36 vs. $36

  Posted at 6:54 AM by Brittany, on May 16, 2014

  I don’t spend much time in the town I live in. I grew up here, and while it has its special charm, I just don’t really care to wander the same locations I’ve wandered for 25 years. Sure, if I need to run a quick errand I will go to my local shops, but if I have the time I will go out of my way and drive to other towns. This opens the doors for new adventures.

  When I went to pick up my race packet for the last half marathon I ran, I made the mistake of leaving my house without any food. I thought I’d be home within a couple hours (only a 35 min drive each way), but I should know better. Looking back I think subconsciously I knew I wanted to explore this town away from home through its food.

  After I got my packet I did what any hungry explorer would do, I Googled vegan restaurants in the city I was located. The first to pop up was one I had been wanting to try.

  

  Vegan, gluten free, AND raw!? Deal. Please bare with these photos, all I had was my phone.

  

  I ordered the AmeRAWcan sun burger (description on the menu) and I was so obsessed with the bread! Cutting out 95% of my wheat intake means I don’t eat a lot of bread, so this was a major treat. I thought about how delicious a PB&J would be on this bread.

  

  I couldn’t possibly experience this place without trying one all of the desserts they had available. SO..I got three desserts. OOPS.

  

  Snatched from my Instagram.

  It’s not everyday you have access to raw mocha cheesecake, raw strawberry cheesecake, and raw brownie bites. Go big or go home. For the record, I did share these with my mom.

  This place was delicious, but definitely not cheap. My sandwich, two brownie bites, and two slices of cheesecake cost me $36. I didn’t mind though, my $ goes towards food and running. I’ll be going back soon for some raw nachos and raw enchiladas. Swoon.

  After my feast I found myself at the mecca of cheap, yet fantastic.

  

  Fun Fact: I don’t actually go to Trader Joe’s all that often, because I don’t like going into the one in my town. I used to work there and well, I’m weird like that? I sometimes try to suck it up, but it usually brings back funky memories so I just don’t.

  With that said, I get excited when I’m in a town away from home that has a TJ’S. As I was stuffing my medium sized bag I thought to myself, “wow, I just came in here for organic berries (which they didn’t have much of after all) how did I end up with all this stuff?” Notorious thoughts in my mind. Long story short I had a shitton of food in my overstuffed bag, and lo and behold the price tag…

  

  $36….the exact price I payed 30 minutes prior for a small sandwich, and three desserts.

  I found it ironic, and somewhat comical to compare the two. I think TJ’s wins the, “more bang for your buck” contest, but I still didn’t mind paying for my lunch. YOLO? Sorry…I promise to never say YOLO again, I hate it. Here’s more cheesecake to make up for that.

  

  Q(s):

  • Do you like going into places you used to work? No..I get 50 shades of awkward, even if I leave on good terms. 
  • Would you go out of your way to explore a different town? What else am I going to do with my days off? I need adventure, and I don’t always go far! 

  

  | 54 Comments Tagged Explore, Gluten Free, Half Marathon, New food, Raw, Run, Vegan

• All the Single Ladies…

  Posted at 7:11 AM by Brittany, on May 14, 2014

  This post will not contain images of me shaking my thang like Beyonce, instead I want to share something else that will burn your eyes out…literally.

  

  I hate this phrase, but this one legit makes sense.

  Way back in the day I had a consistent running partner, and this made for carefree running in any area of town. These days all my runs are solo which I LOVE, but I’d be lying if I said my mind didn’t wander to episodes of CSI whenever a sketchy car drove by.

  

  

  One of my favorite regular customers at Starbucks used to be a police officer, and is one of those “protective fatherly” like people. Anytime we talk running (because 90% of my conversations with a lot of customers are about running) he asks me about running alone. For weeks he pestered me (in a loving way that fathers do) to get some mace, so I did.

  Up until recently I only carried a few things with me when I ran, sometimes some water, once in a while some food, but other than that only two items were constant run items.

  

  Gary my Garmin, because I am a numbers freak.

  

  My RoadID in case I am attacked by radioactive bears, or trip and pass out in a ditch.

  This all changed when I was sent a Mace Pepper Spray, Jogger Model. This Mace is perfect for runners (or hikers, and walkers!) because it fits nicely in your hand for easy access. I usually hate carrying things when I run, but I found no annoyances with this.

  

  

  Boom – thumb pushes button, prepare for total domination. Naturally I had to see how it worked. Nothing worse than needing to actually use this and having no idea what to do.

  

  

  POW. Right in the kisser.

  I chose black over pink because here are my thoughts on color: If someone is coming to attack you and notices a bright pink something in your hand, they are going to know to potentially avoid that, or even try to knock it out of your hand. The black is a bit more discrete and in my mind this means a better chance of going unnoticed.

  Also, the pink is just obnoxious..sorry.

  

  Sleek and black…like my soul.

  If you are a woman, and you run alone (esp early mornings or late nights when it’s dark) I highly recommend this Mace, it’s better than carrying nothing! I will be taking this on all my runs until I perfect the art of teleportation. Until then, eyeballs beware!

  

  Miles by Mace.

  Oh, this is totally cool for men to carry too! Lions, tigers, and flesh melting laser eyed bears OH MY! My Mace makes me feel better in case any savage animals cross my path too!

  Q: Do you take any precautions when running/hiking/walking alone? 

  

  | 38 Comments Tagged Asics, Garmin, Mace, Review, Run

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:12 AM by Brittany, on May 12, 2014

  1. I somehow survived a year at Starbucks without any major spills on myself, until now. I spilled a venti Pike Place all over the register counter, and two hours later spilled a venti toffee nut latte ALL DOWN MY FRONT. My shoes will forever smell like sugar.

  2. Sometimes my coffee comes with a side of cat.

  

  3. I really want to grill some veggies, but I don’t own a grill. This is a problem.

  4. This made me laugh sosososo hard…

  

  This girl has a wicked awesome memory, and remembered THIS POST (I had to go to Google and type in “blissfulbritt fiddle head ferns” because I couldn’t find the post! THANK YOU GOOGLE!) The things I am remembered for…like eating ferns.

  5. I’m obsessed with golden figs right now. I want all the figs, ALL THE TIME.

  6. My runs have been fantastic lately? I had a too legit to quit 5 mile run a few days after my last race, it was wonderful. Two days later I had a legit 7 mile run. I’ll take it.

  

  I don’t care about the Vibram Lawsuit, I love my ape shoes.

  7. I enjoy being “alone.” I’ve officially been single for one year, and while the last year had ups and downs and all arounds, I am alive and WELL! A peaceful mindset is life changing.

  8. I was cutting strawberries and kiwi for a fruit mix, and it was so relaxing that I didn’t realize I was chopping for nearly 45 minutes. Being one with my food.

  

  9. The other day I ate an entire can of beans. Refer to #7, it’s a good thing I sleep alone…

  10. I chopped all my hair off! Top photo is after I got it cut, aka it’s only straight because someone straightened it for me. I am much too lazy to straighten it myself, so bottom photo is what it looks like usually. Only special occasions will see straight hair.

  

  

  iPhone selfie, because I am classy like that.

  It’s growing on me, pun intended.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Confessions, Run, Starbucks, Vegan, Vibram

• Gluten & Dairy Free Carb Loading

  Posted at 6:20 AM by Brittany, on May 7, 2014

  Once upon a time I used to eat lbs of spaghetti with nearly an entire loaf of sourdough bread before a half marathon. These days, the breads don’t sit well in my gut (womp womp) which meant I had to come up with other options the day before my recent race.

  Bare with me on these photos, I lazily used my iPhone. (Except the last two.)

  Breakfast – Wheat free vegan berry muffin from TJ’s (ohh SWOON) and strawberries.

  

  70% of the way through my breakfast I decided to snap a photo.

  Lunch – A huge bed of steamed kale (which you can barely see) topped with tofu, carrots, yellow bell pepper, and half of an avocado. With a mango chili sauce and cayenne pepper.

  

  Pre Dinner Snack – Apple (no need to photograph this, if you don’t know what an apple looks like please find the closest kindergarten classroom.)

  Dinner – A medium sized sweet potato (hidden under the mix) topped with lentils, cucumber, tomato, salsa, and cayenne. Plus 2-3 servings of black bean quinoa chips.

  

  Post Dinner Snacking – Figs and almond butter, a (large) handful of chocolate chips, a few bites of fresh fruit, and a few bites of some vanilla coconut milk ice cream.

  

  So there you have it, a day full of food to power me through 13.1 miles. If you read my recap you’ll know the race didn’t quite go as planned, but I wasn’t hungry once. All problems were definitely caused my lack of pre race expulsion and lack of training.

  When I ran the Seattle Half Marathon last December, I remember getting ravenous around mile 9, I made sure that didn’t happen this time. I didn’t even need the ALT bar I brought with me. I hope I made some squirrels day by tossing it into the woods.

  

  Post race I skipped the sugar bombs I bought from the bakery and face planted a salad.

  I don’t even know who I am anymore.

  Q: What’s your go to carb loading meal?

  

  | 44 Comments Tagged Carbohydrate, Gluten Free, Half Marathon, Run, Vegan

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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