What's your flavor? Tell me whats your Flavor!

Does anyone ever get the sammy craving? By sammy I mean sandwich by the way. I'm telling you, there is nothing better than a pb&j sammy for lunch on a good snowboarding day. I can also admit to eating a peanut butter and honey sammy EVERY SINGLE DAY (sometimes twice a day) when I was working as a camp counselor at Kanakuk a few summers ago. Once, I got on this turkey melt kick and like my other food addictions, thought about a turkey melt every day when I woke up.

Bad news?... turns out my stomach hates gluten among other things. It yells loudly at it and rejects it every time. It was time I got serious about finding myself a gluten free bread because Lord knows I need a sammy in my life every once in awhile. At least during ski season.

Most gluten free breads are not tasty. Lets be honest, after chomping into a real baguette after you've only tasted gluten-less breads for awhile, you can barley tell the difference between the baguette and chocolate cake. Real bread is delicious and I miss it often. So here is my take on the best breads for the gluten intolerants out there.

1) Aleia's Farmhouse White Bread: Its actual bread size so if you like a nice big sammy like myself, this is your bread. Its hearty and a bit sweet.

2) Whole Foods Light White Sandwich Bread: Sweet and eggy. Great for your "fried egg on toast" breakfast. A staple.

3) Udi's White Sandwich Bread: Pillow-soft and pretty sweet. You can buy it straight off the shelf so its perfect for those PB and J's when you don't want to take the time to thaw your freezer breads.

4) Glutino's Flax Seed Bread: This one is also dairy- free. I have dairy sensitivities too so this one is my number one choice. The flax seeds are my favorite giving it a little crunch. It won't leave you wanting more like most.

5) Whole Foods Gluten- Free Prairie Bread: Rich in protein and fiber. The flavor is sweet and yeasty. This is your go-to for french toast.

6) Everybody Eats Multi-Grain High- Fiber Loaf: Nutty and rich in flavor. Its the healthiest gluten free bread you can buy. If you're having company over for a quick sammy, they won't even know its gluten free. Its the most bread-like-bread out there.

There you have it friends. Figure out what hits the spot for you and your bread and bakery desires and have a healthy and happy belly!

New Year. New Resolutions.

Here we are, already the end January - 2012 is out the window and 2013 is right before us ready to be taken head on. I mean, really do we have a choice though? 2013 is going to happen weather we are ready or not, so let’s not waste a minute of it and make the most of every moment. 

Every year, I set New Years resolutions. Usually, I try to incorporate one spiritual goal, one physical goal and one fun goal. And sometimes I’ll throw an extra one in just for fun! Last year my fun resolution was to become a professional sound effects maker! Ask the girls, I am incredible at the whip (whaaapishhh!) But this year I wanted it to be different. I felt like there was more to be done and changed in my life and I was ambitious to pursue it- whatever “it” is. So, I wrote my best friends asking them to help me critically look at my life and truthfully speak into me about things I could rid my life of. The ‘not so pretty’ parts of me that I probably do not recognize but as best friends they could point out for me. This is a very challenging thing to ask of your friends; I was basically asking them to tell me my flaws. Ouch...this could get tough! But I prayed about it, and asked God to prepare my heart for what they had to say and that I would use it and actually make changes. 

Mekenzie wrote me a very heart felt challenging letter. It was full of truth and grace. It was one of the most life giving, life changing and God glorifying words I have ever read. The basis of her letter was, if you centered your life on 1 Thessalonians 5:16, what a difference would you see in your relationship with the Lord, your life and the woman God created you to be. Whoa! Yeah. Read the verse from that angle and I think all of our lives would change, dramatically. When life get tough, when cancer strikes my body, when I attend another dinner party as a 5th wheel, and when I see a girl at the gym thinner than me; what is my response. This year, I hope my reaction is to REJOICE always, PRAY without ceasing and give THANKS in all circumstances. 

My dear friend Holly also wrote me an incredible letter. A letter that I will keep for a lifetime. It was encouraging yet, very challenging. It’s ironic because the theme of her letter to me was very similar to that of Mekenzie’s. She reminded me of God’s perfect timing and that I can have a hard time trusting that. True. And that I need to be confident in that fact that God created me exactly the way he wanted me- In HIS image. I love that, but I do not do a very good job of living that. I need to seek Him more for my fulfillment of confidence and of strength and love. True, again. 

Reflecting on these letters, I realized one common thread. I compare myself in my mind- between girls who I see as more attractive, people with fatter bank accounts, and relationships that aren’t mine. I am not them and they are not me. Their life should not look like mine. I am rare- no one has my heart, my eyes or my incredible dance moves. With my new found perspective on life, I will rejoice, pray and give thanks when these thoughts and actions come into my life. It’s a very vague New Year’s Resolution but I think it’s exactly what my life needs. Newness, change and a different outlook on this amazing and great life that I have been blessed with. 

I have been encouraged and challenged by these amazing ladies letters. I am ready to cease this year. Bring it on 2013, I’m ready for ya!

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made...” -Psalm 139:14

Thai Turkey Burgers With Peanut Sauce

As promised...the recipe for the Thai Turkey Burgers! 

Ingredients:
1 lb 99% fat-free lean ground turkey breast
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 green onion, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 buns (Glutino's Flax and Gluten Free Bread)
baby spinach leaves

For the peanut sauce:

3 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon water
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (could use siracha)
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

1. Create peanut sauce by combining peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, water, garlic, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, honey and ground ginger in a food processor or blender. Blend until very smooth. Reserve 2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons and set aside.
2. Combine remaining peanut sauce with turkey, carrots, broccoli, green onion, cilantro, salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Mix well and form into 4 patties. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick spray. Cook patties for 3-4 minutes on one side, then spray the top with more non-stick spray. Flip and cook for 3-4 more minutes or until burgers are no longer pink in the middle.
3. Place a burger patty on each bun and top with 2 teaspoons of the reserved peanut sauce. Add baby spinach for crunch and serve.

Big Gulps Huh?

I'm boycotting a fitness post today to talk about life...Deal? Deal!

It officially been a month since moving from Kansas City to Colorado and I'm in freaking heaven. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being back. Its home and my community is here and despite all the fears and reservations I felt in Kansas before making the move back, I can honestly say it was crucial that I decided to get back here. Crucial for my head and for my heart.

Because of my excitement to be here I have literally hit the ground running. I've spent as much time as possible with my core and other close friends here, I've been skiing (headed up again today for the weekend), I have been to most of my favorite spots,  I've tried to run on all my favorite trails and at all my favorite parks, I've done new exploring, I've started dating the most incredible person ever and I have not slowed down for a hot second.

It was last night that I realized after 3 weeks of being sick and surviving on 5 hours of sleep every night that I am doing a pretty good job of GULPING down as much life as I possibly can instead of TASTING life and really enjoying the little things. This is my personality in general and something I will always struggle with I'm sure. Bachelor girls night? sure. Core four shoot? Absolutely. Ski date with my boyfriend! YES. Get me there. I tend to say yes to everything with no reservations and find myself overbooked and frazzled and tired yet happy. OH SO HAPPY, but my body needs me to slow down. My heart and head want to remember this season of life. I want to be completely present when I'm with people not counting down the hours on my fingers that I get to sleep before I have to wake up for my early morning pre-work workout. Life is good. Really good, but I want to remember it and feel it and do it a little more slowly. So thats what I'm goin for.

Step One: Slow down.
Step Two: No more big gulps, little sweet sips instead.
Step Three: Be present. Really present.

Thats all I've got for today friends. Here are some of my favorite moments since moving home a month ago.

He deserves a way better blog introduction, but here's Mr. Triple Threat himself. I really like him! 

Countless Braverman/Lobdell cups since I've been back. COUNTLESS! 

The mountains. I was dying to to get out there. We just happened to pick the most beautiful day to go.

Pre- Ski Morning Faces

Photoshoot with the core. We can't wait to get these pictures back and update the blog!! Stay posted.  

Such a history with these two beautiful women. 

Cooking date night. Recipe to come! 

New Years with my home team 

Nertz for days with these two.

Boulder trail blazin. Major wipe outs involved.  We needed our spikes. 

Sick. As usual. 

Spontaneous friend date to the Nuggets game

Trending Treasures

I have some serious trending foods in my life these days. Its the breakfast that gets me out of bed kind of staple. The coffee that could be the sole purpose of my infinite amount of energy and whit kind of staple. The snack that I'd choose over a cookie kind of staple. My life is packed full of these tasty somethings right now and I just have to share.

Cinnamon Almond Oats/ Steal Cuts: 

Boil 1/2 c. oats/steal cuts with 1 c. vanilla almond milk and a couple dashes of cinnamon. Stir constantly until the consistency you prefer. Toast some almonds on the stove while your oats/steal cuts cook. Top finished oats/steal cuts with banana, flax and chia, and those toasty almonds. Seriously, this bowl of bliss will get you out of bed in the morning.

BoBo's Oat Bars- Coconut: 

These are for sure more delicious than a cookie. I want them all the time. Pick them up at your local Whole Foods Market. Forget biscotti's, this is the perfect pairing to a cup of coffee. They are baked straight from Boulder Colorado. HEY HEY!!!! support your mom and pop shop and try this tasty treat.

Rice Milk Macadamia Nut Latte: 

If you live around Denver you have to check out Stella's coffee off Pearl Street and sip on this bev. It's honestly worth the drive from wherever you are. It is perfect. A couple of weeks ago I had an awesome friend date on a blistery cold day with the below babe. We just can't get enough.

Coffee/BoBo dates with Gaby babe! 

Wanna-be Summer Salad: 

I'm ready for summer. Eating salads sometimes makes me feel like its getting close. Avocado's and blackberries were on sale at King Soopers this week so this has been my yummy go-to when I'm desiring something fresh and light.
- Spring Mix
- Blackberries
- Toasted Almonds (stove top or broiled)
- Avocados
- Chicken
- Dressing: Oil and balsamic vinegar with a little Capital Hill seasoning from "Savory Spice Shop"

Coconut Celebration: Cuz they make you want to celebrate 

Another snack option I can't stay away from is Earth Balance Coconut Peanut Butter on a rice cake with coconut flakes on top. I clearly have a coconut issue right now.

These cakes can be found at Sprouts and Whole Foods

Think Thin Bars: 

If you close your eyes and take a bite you might mistake these delicious bars for a real deal chocolate candy bar. They are just that good. Think Thin is a product that contains lots of protein without sacrificing great taste and leaving you chalk mouthed. Most bars taste delicious but for us gluten intolerant individuals, its not worth the stomach  ache. Don't worry though, these bars are gluten free too. WAHOO! So if you're into that sort of thing, give these guys a whirl. Creamy peanut butter is where it's at, but thats coming from the peanut butter snob so pick a flavor that fits your fancy.

Can't wait for you all to try some of my favorites! Enjoy.