Hello beautiful people!  I hope you are all having a fabulous week.

My week has been wonderful but incredibly busy at the same time.  Only two more days which means pack, pack, pack.  We're only supposed to take four or five pairs of clothing (we're doing laundry while we're there), but clearly, I've already failed at that....

Oh well.  Everything fit with plenty of room to spare, so I should be good.  But ahhhhh!!!  Only two more days!!!! (Yes, I'm excited ;)  I'm going to try to post a few times while I'm there - I'm not bringing my computer, but my dad is and said I could use his computer (thanks, Dad!).  Although, I won't be able to do any commenting, so sorry about that. :(

I don't have many foodie pictures for you all, but here's a few.

In preparing for the trip, I had my favorite store-boughten Greek yogurt.

I enjoyed it along wiiiiiiiiiiiith....

Aaaaaand a big handful of my favorite crackers EVER!

Then this morning, I went running out on the track!  I did a quarter mile jog, streches, and warm up excercises first.  Then I did three 100 meters full speed and one 200 meter full speed.  My legs began to cramp and burn since I did a hard leg workout yesterday, and so I ended with two more 100m only going half speed.  My appetite was ravenous when I got back as I hadn't eaten before I left (eating before running makes my stomach turn upside down!), and so, off I went to the kitchen!  I ended up with one of my favorite breakfasts - oatmeal!  But it wasn't just any oatmeal, it was oatmeal that had three of my favorite foods - oats, peanut butter, and chocolate! (I also had a big glass of water and fresh berries!)

Questions: 
What's your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
Do you like Greek yogurt?  If so, what's your favorite brand?

Well, that's it for now!  I best go work on packing.  Next time you here from me, I will likely be in Greece!!  

I'll miss you guys!
<3

Thank you guys for the warm welcome back and good luck wishes for the ACT!  Luckily, it's all over.  I am officially DONE with school for the summer.  Unless you count the seven classical books I have to read this summer for next year's AP Lit and Comp class, but we won't go there.  For now, I'm just going to enjoy the thought that I can get up and not have to worry about studying!  

Now about the amazing trip coming up!  My family and I will be going to Greece for a week, Finland for a week, Denmark for about five days, and then to Iceland for a day!  We'll be home for a bit and then my brother and I are off to Newfoundland with my grandparents!  Am I excited?  Let's just go with "yes" since there's no way I can capture my true excitement in words.  You would have to come to my house and see me bouncing off the walls to know what I mean. ;)  And what am I most excited for?  The chance to try real Greek yogurt! ;) You know I love the stuff in the store to death, but I'm assuming it doesn't taste nearly as good as the real thing.  Can anyone back me up on this?

Even though the last month has been crazy with school, I made sure I had time for a bit of cooking (some how, that's something I always have time for. ;) 

In attempt to make this post at least somewhat organized, I'll start with a recipe and then show all the random foodie pictures (versus a random recipe in the middle of random pictures...)

So an explanation on the name of the recipe.  I was going to call them "cake batter pancakes."  Then I thought that that would make no sense since they're cooked and thus are not batter.  Recalling what they tasted like, I decided that they most accurately tasted like cake.  Pancakes.  No really? ;)  But "pancakes" was just a bit to boring, and so I took the wordy approach and decided to call them "Mini Cakes Cooked on a Griddle."  Or, you could just call them pancakes.


Mini Cakes Cooked on a Grill With Peanut Butter Fauxting
(Serves 1)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup brown rice flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ (sub extra brown rice flour or oat bran to make these gluten free)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
13 grams (more or less as desired) cake mix (I used a gluten free, chocolate variety)
About 1/2 cup (more or less depending on how thick you like your pancakes) almond milk
2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
A handful of sprinkles, optional (I didn't add any but would next time)
Peanut butter + stevia (or other sweetener) + water

Directions:
Gather your ingredients!

Mix together the flours, wheat germ, baking powder, and cake mix (and sprinkles, if using).

Pour in the almond milk and coconut oil and put that arm to work!

Now cook the batter just like you would any other pancake.  Meanwhile mix together the peanut butter, stevia, and water until desired sweetness and consistency is reached.  Stack the pancakes on a plate with the PB fauxting in between and then dig in!

I really did love these, and I think the addition of sprinkles would make them even better!  

Now, time for the randomness...

I've wanted to try that Kashi dinner for a loooong time, and I'm glad I finally did!  I loved the spicy flavor!

One day, I was searching for a healthy banana recipe when I stumbled across this recipe.  I didn't have the corn bread mix, so I instead used 1/3 cup pancake mix (mine was buckwheat) and 1/4 cup oatmeal.  I also ended up baking it about twice the amount of time the recipe said.  But none of that mattered in the least because this was the result:

Incredible would be an understatement.  Seriously.  What is it about baked breakfasts that are just so amazing?

While we're in the category of amazing, have you tried Olivia's Hummus Pizza yet?  I've raved about it before, and here I am raving about it again.  That just goes to show you how truly amazing it is.  It's even amazing when topped with sun-dried tomatoes!

So no more excuses.  Make. It. Now.
And while you're at it, make yourself some of Olivia's Tahini Chocolate Chips Oatmeal.  I'm telling you, that girl needs to write a cookbook! 

Moving on...

And finally we have:

That would be Katie's Deep Dish Cookie Pie.  Yes, it is as good as it looks x 100000000.  I want another one.  Right now.  But unfortunately, I have no garbanzos left.  That problem need to be fixed.  Like VERY soon!! :D  If you've meaning to try it, don't wait!  You won't disappointed!

Ahhh, it's so good to be back blogging again!  This was what I looked like when I was too busy to blog:

Luckily, I'm better now.  

I've had the big bear in the corner of my room since I was about seven.  Just in case you were wondering.

Sometimes I think we should switch back to black and white photography.  It's way more fun!  Anyone agree?

All right, enough of my babbling, I want to know about you!  Do you have any summer plans?

Hello my chocolate chippers!!


I just wanted to pop in and let you all know that I am alive and doing well!  I've just been super busy lately with school.  First there was finals, then I was studying like crazy for the SAT chemistry subject test (which I took yesterday), and now I'm preparing for the ACT which is next Saturday - eekes!  Luckily, one week from now it will all. be. over. (!!!!!!!!)  And then I'm leaving the 18th for an amazing trip (details to come!).


I miss all you guys and your amazing blogs so much, and I hope you're all doing fabulous!


Love you guys!
<3