HLS Goodies, Long(ish) Runs and New Ingredients!

Back to the real world! School starts in three short days, so I'm rapidly trying to get myself organized and re-establish my routine! 

Breakfast yesterday was delicious- simple, clean and wholesome! 

I added the Love Grown Cocoa Goodness Granola from my HLS Swag Bag to some greek yogurt and topped with frozen berries. 

Uh-mazing. The granola is everything I want and more- sweet (but not too sweet), sort of chewy, sort of crunchy with the perfect ratio of oats to mix-ins. I'm in love. And lusting over their 4 other flavors. Oyyy....

I did A LOT of blog and computer catching up after breakfast... It's funny how my weekend at a blogging conference was the most disconnected I've been from a computer in a long time- it was a nice break, though! :)

I had a late lunch, mostly because I wasn't paying attention to the time... I dug through my HLS Swag Bag again to see if I could find something savory and came across these gems (well... nuggets, technically). 

Garlic Gold WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?

These nuggets come in other flavors, and oils, and vinaigrettes. I. DIE. Perfection. I think I've found my new obsession. Has anyone tried any of their other products?

I threw the Garlic Gold (love) Nuggets into a pot with a large frozen chicken breast, a can of kidney beans (rinsed), 2 cups of water and a 1/4 cup bulgur wheat and let the flavors dance. The result was a mix between chili and stew- SO filling and satisfying. I will definitely be making this more when it gets colder. 

After my late lunch it was off for a run! I decided to rock the Healthy Living Summit T-Shirt from Five Bamboo. This is quite literally the most comfortable piece of clothing I own. So soft and durable. 

I was a little worried about taking my poor bamboo t-shirt on an 8.5 mile run, convinced that it'd be soaked within the first mile, but this baby did a great job of keeping my cool and dry (for the most part- I sweat like a beast, but this shirt was significantly less drenched when I finished my workout). I'm sold! I love it so much that I just ordered one in black for school! 

The run itself was a bit slow, but I've fallen out of my training schedule, and it's been a while since I've done anything this long, so I didn't push it. Either tomorrow or Thursday AM will be my beast run, and then my 1/2 is on Sunday! Oyyy!

For dinner I made cauliflower and cheddar pizza with an almond-meal crust. I haven't quite perfected the crust recipe yet, but it has the potential to be EPIC- I will share as soon as I get it down...

What have you been chomping on? How have your workouts been going? Training for anything?

Happy Sweating! :)

My Inspiring Weekend: Part B- Healthy Living Summit Day 2

I was up at around 7:15a snacking on this Mini Lara Bar from my swag bag before the 8a group walk!

HOLY BLOGGERS! We took over the streets of Philly!

Since it was early Sunday AM, there weren't too many others out and about- a peaceful stroll through a gorgeous city. 

 I love the mass quantities of beautiful sculptures and statues you can find all over Philly- I wish we had more of that here in NYC...

We swung by the LOVE sign for a photo op...

Our 1/2 point destination- the Rocky steps! 

 I made it! :)

When we returned to the hotel, the delicious Quaker Oats sponsored breakfast was waiting for us!

 Almond butter, crushed pecans, honey, flax seeds, chocolate chips. Perfection.

Accompanied with some Earl Grey tea, cranberry juice and fruit! Mmmm....

 Coincidentally, I sat down next to a few NYC bloggers! Caitlin of Caitlin Lives Well and Ashley of Freckles and Spice! 

After packing up, bidding the roomies farewell and leaving my bags with the front desk, it was time to continue my exploration! 

First stop- Reading Terminal Market. LOVE. 

 These cookie cutters were adorable and cheap! I bought a fleur de lyse and a different one as a surprise gift for someone. :)

 Rosemary leek focaccia from Market Bakery, you haunt my dreams. So soft and chewy and elegant. I love you. 

The last time I was in Philly, I fell in love with Old City Coffee. 

Iced coffee with soymilk, cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla powder, we should be together. 

I stopped by the spice market and picked up some almond meal, walnut meal and unsweetened shredded coconut- be on the lookout for some exciting recipes! :)

The rain subsided and I continued my stroll. 

After shopping my way down Market St. (looking for items for my school uniform- my graduate acting program requires black t-shirts, black sweatpants, black sports bras and black socks at every class), I was HANGRY. 

I passed by a few brunch spots before finally deciding on Cuba Libre. 

The perfect spot for a solo lunch! 

I had just missed the cutoff for their unlimited brunch (you KNOW I'd have been down with that) so I picked a few items off their tapas-style menu. 

Citrus Guacamole with Plaintain Chips- light, creamy, clean and refreshing. 

And then I ordered the Sopa Levanata Muerto ( "Soup that Can Raise the Dead"). This was without a doubt the best soup I have ever put in my mouth. Ever. 

 A coconut milk, truffle oil and vegetable stock base with crabmeat, scallops, shrimp and mussels. Holy. Friggin. Moly. Amazing. 

 As I was returning to the hotel from lunch, a CRAZY thunder storm rolled in...

I swung back into Reading Terminal Market for one last treat- ice cream from Basset's- I got a scoop of the vanilla and a scoop of Gadzooks Blanc (vanilla ice cream with peanut butter brownie pieces, chocolate chips and a caramel swirl). Delicious. 

To sum up the weekend:

-My fellow food, nutrition, fitness and lifestyle bloggers are incredibly unique, intelligent, authentic and inspiring people. 

-The Healthy Living community is a very supportive one. 

-There are a lot of exciting opportunities for bloggers like myself if you do some research!

-Philadelphia is gorgeous!

Healthy Living Summit 2011- HERE I COME! :)

I'm registered!!!! WAHOOO! :) I am super excited to meet everyone attending!

Are you going? Wanna share a room? Holla atcho girl!!! :) Leave me a comment or email me!