Lemon Sponge Pie = YUM!

I love when protein bars taste like a decadent treat!  The FITzee Bars I sampled recently reminded me of apple pie and chocolate chip blondies!  What better way to refuel after a hard workout or hold me over to my next meal?

More about FITzee Bars:

We offer you our FITzee Bars with confidence – not just because people love them,but also because they’re made with the best ingredients. The perfect balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats keep your body going strong. FITzee Bars are very easy to digest and eliminate the feeling of hunger. And better yet, they’re certified gluten free by the GFCO!

The FITzee Bar is perfectly balance with the right amount of carbohydrates, protein and fats:  22% protein, 39% fat; 42% carbohydrates.

There are three varieties of FITzee Bars:

Apples ‘n Oats: With delicious apples and hearty gluten free oats, these freshly baked FITzee Bars have been designed to replicate a balanced meal. Having an ideal carbohydrate:protein:fat ratio makes the bar very easy to digest and eliminates the feeling of hunger. An amazing energy bar that is suitable for every person and any lifestyle. And to top it off – it’s certified Gluten Free!

Chewy Chocolate Chip: With chocolaty chocolate chips and hearty gluten free oats, these freshly baked FITzee Bars have been designed to replicate a balanced meal. Having an ideal carbohydrate:protein:fat ratio makes the bar very easy to digest and eliminates the feeling of hunger. An amazing energy bar that is suitable for every person and any lifestyle. And to top it off – it’s certified Gluten Free!

Coconut Almond Chip: With flavorful coconut, chocolaty chocolate chips and hearty gluten free oats, these freshly baked FITzee Bars have been designed to replicate a balanced meal. Having an ideal carbohydrate:protein:fat ratio makes the bar very easy to digest and eliminates the feeling of hunger. An amazing energy bar that is suitable for every person and any lifestyle. And to top it off – it’s certified Gluten Free!

I have to admit that I was a little concerned when I saw butter was close to the top of the ingredient list.  Don’t get me wrong, I like butter, but I am not sure that I can recall seeing it in any protein bar that I have tried before.  I am sure some of my concern comes from butter getting a bad rap about being an “unhealthy” fat.  There are some health benefits of butter and that is why FITzee Bars are formulated using it as an ingredient.  If you don’t believe me, simply Google “health benefits of butter”.  My theory is everything in moderation, right? 

Now I can tell you what I thought about the bars!  I loved them!  I swear I thought I bit into an apple pie when I tried the Apples ‘n Oats Bar! Check out the chunks of apples:

The Chewy Chocolate Chip Bar tasted just like a blondie with chocolate chips added in – YUM!  The Coconut Almond Chip was also very good, but my heart lies with the Apples ‘n Oats.  FITzee Bars can be purchased online.  Have you heard of or tried FITzee Bars before? 

*These bars were sent to me free of charge for review purposes.  The thoughts and opinions shared here are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

Easter is less than a week away now.  What better way to celebrate than with a gluten-free carrot cake?  This cake does take a bit of time to make, but I promise it is well worth it! 

Carrot Cake

**Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook, modified to be gluten-free by me

• 1.5 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 large egg, 4 egg whites
• 2 cups Jules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 cups shredded carrots (5-6 medium)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins

Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe to follow)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 2 8 or 9-inch pans with Pam.  **You could use a 13 x 9 inch pan if you like.

2.  Shred the carrots in a food processor (messy job, but so worth it)

3.  Mix sugar, oil, applesauce and eggs in a large bowl until blended and then beat for 1 minute.

4.  Mix in remaining ingredients, except the raisins & nuts.  Beat for 1 minute.

5.  Stir in carrots & nuts and pour into pan or pans.

6.  Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or the round pans or 40 – 45 minutes for the rectangle.

7.  Frost and enjoy!

Cream Cheese Frosting

*****recipe courtesy of the same Betty Crocker cookbook

• 1 package low-fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of butter (1/2 stick)
• 2 tsps skim milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar

1.  Beat the first 4 ingredients together until smooth.

2.  Start to mix in the powdered sugar a little at a time.  The frosting is ready when it is smooth & spreadable.

So good! 

It hardly seems appropriate that I should be typing the date for the end of March when we are getting a spring snowstorm.  I have heard varying reports of accumulation totals, but they range from 3-10 inches.  Clearly someone angered Mother Nature because she just won’t quit!  Each time we have an extremely cold day, snow or ice I try to boost my spirits by telling myself this will be the last one until fall, only it isn’t.  Did you hear about prosecutor in Ohio that has indicted Punxsutawney Phil?

Funny, but maybe this guy has too much time on his hands.  You think? 

Sunday – Rotisserie chicken, coconut baked brown rice, broccoli and salad

Monday – Turkey burgers, baked steak fries and salad

Tuesday – Taco Tuesday – Soft corn tortillas, black beans, corn and salad

Wednesday – Take-out

Thursday – Grilled chicken fettucine Alfredo , sugar snap peas and salad

Friday – Make your own pizza and salad

Saturday – Breakfast for dinner (Protein-Packed Breakfast Sandwich) and fruit salad

Help find a cure for MS by donating to Miles for Myelin!  A $5 donation will enter you to win a gluten-free gift box worth over $50!

Don’t forget to enter to win gluten-free bread from Canyon Bakehouse!

Ways to not Dread the “Dreadmill”

Review: Goodbye Gluten Wraps <—Spectacular!

Keeping Gluten-Free & Allergy Kids Safe

Gluten-Free Lemon Sponge Pie

Simple Steak Tacos

Have a great week!

Kim

An early morning coaches breakfast with running legend, Bill Rodgers, and 12 miles was going to make for a long morning. Historically my 12 mile runs haven’t been too bad, but when I woke up and my legs were sore from BodyPump yesterday, I knew it might be challenging.  Being part of MIT Marathoners affords us many perks.  Over the past couple of years MIT has brought in several running legends including Bart Yasso and Katherine Switzer.  It has truly been a joy to listen to the stories and then hit the pavement running with them.  This year MIT/Fleet Feet brought in Boston and New York City Marathon winner Bill Rodgers!  Bill has an impressive history and it was a pleasure to hear him tell his story.

Bill won the Boston and New York City Marathons each 4 times between 1975 and 1980!  The pace coaches had the opportunity to have a quick breakfast and chat with Bill before hitting the trail.  I normally don’t eat much before a long run, so I quickly ate my Honey Stinger Chews before I chatted with Bill.

Both my dad and father-in-law are huge fans of Bill Rodgers (they are both runners)!  Bill asked how long I have been a runner and what originally inspired me to run.  Watching my dad run races when I was a child didn’t seem like something I wanted to do at the time, but once I turned 35 and joined a gym, it looked a lot more attractive than the elliptical machine.  I started running on the treadmill, then outside and the rest is history.

After saying a few words to the group, Bill became an honorary MIT coach for the day!  He ran with several different pace groups, including ours for a couple of miles!  I ran right in front of him and listened to him talk about running….so cool!

Here we are on the Olentangy Trail.  I am in the pink (imagine that).

A fellow pace coach stopped the group on the trail for this photo opportunity.  It isn’t every day you get a chance like this!  This photo was taken roughly 4-5 miles into our run, before my legs got heavy and felt like lead.  Bill left us shortly after this and we continued on down the trail to finish our miles.

The last couple of miles were tough.  Lesson learned, no BodyPump, no matter how light the weights, the day before a long run. I am thankful for the distraction of running with Bill Rodgers for a couple of miles in the middle of my run to keep my mind off of the cold and my sore legs.

After my run I refueled immediately with a Peanut Butter Macro Bar.  Once I got home I grabbed some coffee and put on my Zensah Ultra Compression sleeves.

What a great Saturday!  I wish they could all be this exciting!  How is your weekend going?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I am sure you have heard that before, right?  I used to skip breakfast and looking back now, I don’t know why I did that or how I made it through the morning.  Now wonder I was starving my 11:00 AM!  Now that I am older (and hopefully wiser), I realize the importance of a well-balanced breakfast.  My breakfasts often consist of a bowl of fruit balanced out with a healthy dose of protein and fiber.  In addition to helping me power through my mornings, I am hoping to set a good example for my kids. 

Jon’s idea of breakfast is a bowl of Fruity Pebbles = too high in sugar and low in protein to get anyone through a long morning.  When I received samples of al fresco’s new Chicken Sausage Breakfast Patties I wondered if I could get him to eat a protein-packed breakfast sandwich instead. 

Some more information about al fresco’s new breakfast patties:

· al fresco introduced the breakfast patty in response to customer requests for a sausage that can be easily incorporated into breakfast sandwiches.

· The 1.75-ounce breakfast patty is “bun sized” and comes fully-cooked for a quick, healthy morning option.

· Like all al fresco products, the chicken sausage breakfast patty contains no artificial ingredients, nitrates, MSG, nitrites or preservatives.

Ingredients: Skinless chicken meat, contains 2% or less of water, salt, sugar, spices, sage, thyme, natural flavorings.

Protein-Packed Breakfast Sandwich

• 1 al fresco chicken sausage breakfast patty
• 1 fried egg
• 1 slice American cheese
• 1 gluten-free bun (Udi’s Whole Grain)

1.  Warm sausage patty in a frying pan or microwave according to package directions

2.  Fry the egg so the yolk is to your liking – more firm = less mess.

3.  Gently toast the bun.

4.  Assemble

There is just about 26 grams of protein in this breakfast sandwich!  Jon really enjoyed the sandwiches and I felt much better sending him off to school after this breakfast than I do when he eats a bowl full of sugar.  The new al fresco Chicken Sausage Breakfast Patties should be available in May 2013, so keep an eye out for them! 

*The al fresco products in this post were sent to me free of charge for review purposes.  The thoughts and opinions shared here are mine (and Jon’s) and have not been influenced by anyone or anything.

When I was pregnant with Hannah in January of 2002, I joined an online forum for moms who were due in August of 2002.   Many of us are still part of this forum and some have met in real life.  It is hard to believe that we have “known” each other for 11 years now!  We have literally watched our children go from babyhood through elementary school.  In October of 2009 we tragically lost one of our moms to breast cancer.  Paula, second from the right in the photo below, was an amazing wife and mom to 2 beautiful children.  It is because of Paula, and many others I know who have fought breast cancer, that I don’t mess around when it comes to cancer screenings.

From the left: Michele and Lucas, Hannah and me, Amanda, Paula and Brittany.

Now that I am 40 I have to get yearly mammograms. WOO HOO! Just kidding. I have had a couple in the past to check on small things that I found with a self breast exam, but this is my first time going for just a screening.  Was the mammogram fun?  No, but it didn’t hurt and I was in and out of there in less than 30 minutes. 

More information from the American Cancer Society:

Breast cancer

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – should be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: less than 2% of all the women in the US.) Talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have additional tests at an earlier age.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society and ask for our document called Breast Cancer: Early Detection.

If you are anything like me and have a problem remembering when it is time to schedule these screenings, check out this awesome reminder!

Are you following the current recommendations and getting your screenings done?  If not, please don’t delay – the time it takes to screen can save your life!

Canyon Bakehouse offers a variety of gluten-free breads the whole family can enjoy.  From Mountain White to Colorado Caraway, there is sure to be something for everyone.  I quickly fell in love with the Colorado Caraway last year and can’t get over how much it resembles my favorite non-gluten-free rye bread.

Turkey, Provolone and Mustard on Caraway

Mountain White PB & J Sandwich with potato chips & orange slices is the way to please just about any kid, even this big one!

Canyon Bakehouse is a gluten-free artisan bread bakery based in Loveland, Colorado. For the 3 million Americans who suffer from Celiac disease, the most important characteristic of the foods they eat – outside of being gluten-free is TASTE! This is especially important for kids. Canyon Bakehouse was developed to provide consumers with a wide variety of delicious and nutritious gluten-free baked goods. Canyon Bakehouse products are made with healthy ingredients and nutrients like, 100% whole grains, organic agave syrup, extra virgin olive oil, and so much more!

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast
ingredients (makes 2 slices of French toast)
2 slices of Canyon Bakehouse Cinnamon Raisin Bread
3 eggs
1 tablespoon butter
Cream cheese
Fresh fruit
Agave syrup
directions
1. Beat eggs in shallow bowl. Then soak 1 slice of Canyon Bakehouse Cinnamon Raisin Bread into mixture for
3 minutes. Add second slice and repeat.
2. Melt 1 tbsp. butter in pan on medium heat. Place bread in pan for 3 minutes, flip and fry for another 3 minutes.
3. Place slice on dish. Top with cream cheese and fruit. Repeat with second slice. Drizzle with agave syrup.

Hot Roast Beef on Canyon Bakehouse Bun
ingredients
4 Canyon Bakehouse Hamburger Buns
1 pound gluten-free thinly sliced roast beef
1-16 ounce can of beef broth
¼ cup cooking sherry
Sliced cheddar cheese
directions
1. Heat beef broth and sherry in a pot on medium-high for 8 minutes. Add gluten-free roast beef, cover and heat
for another 8 minutes until mixture is bubbling. Turn burner to low until you’re ready to place on buns.
2. Place buns onto baking sheet. Add slices of cheddar cheese onto bottom buns. Then, add cooked roast beef.
Put tops on buns and heat in oven at 400 degrees until cheese starts to melt.
3. Remove from oven. Plate sandwiches. Pour remaining sauce from pot over sandwiches.

7-Grain Breakfast Sandwich
ingredients (makes 1 sandwich)
2 slices of Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain Bread
2 slices of pepper jack cheese
2 pieces of red leaf lettuce
3 pieces of Taylor ham
1 egg
2 slices of tomato
1 teaspoon of mayonnaise
directions
1. Add pepper jack cheese to a slice of toasted Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain bread.
2. Heat Taylor ham in skillet. Remove from heat and place on bread.
3. Top sandwich with egg (cooked over-easy), lettuce and sliced tomato. Spread mayonnaise onto top slice. Enjoy!

If you haven’t had a chance to try Canyon Bakehouse products before, here is your chance!  Simply follow the directions in the Rafflecopter box below to enter to win one of each of the following:

Most runners prefer to run outside and not on the dreadmill treadmill.  Since I am one of those runners that much prefers to be outside, Aaron questioned my sanity when I purchased a treadmill a couple of months back.  “You hate the treadmill!”, he said.  Yes, I do, but I hate not running more.  So, when Mother Nature continues to toss inclement weather our way, I head to our playroom and hop on the hamster wheel. 

I don’t mind running in the rain.  I don’t mind running in the snow.  What kind of weather do I mind running in?  Ice and high winds, both of which we have seen our fair share of this winter.  Today is the first day of Spring, but you wouldn’t know it by our forecast. 

Since it was cold with higher winds yesterday I headed to the treadmill with my iPad and turned on this week’s Dancing with the Stars episode.  I have to admit that it didn’t really keep my attention, as I found my mind drifting.  As my mind was wandering from topic to topic, I thought I would share a post about things you can do to make it through a boring treadmill run.

1.  Watch TV or a movie.  I opt for my iPad and watch shows that I need to catch up on.  This is usually good for filling up 45-50 minutes of time or 4-5 miles.  It is important to pay attention to form when choosing this option.  I find myself having to look down to see the screen which in turn brings my shoulders down and hips back. 

2.  Visualization.  I try to zone out and pretend I am someplace else for my run. Varying the incline and speed can help you feel like things are changing.  I usually visualize my outside route in my head – for example if I am running 4 miles on the treadmill, I think about where I would be outside at that corresponding point in my run.  It really helps!

3.  Break up your run with other exercises.  Hop off the treadmill after each mile and do push ups, burpees, crunches, planks, etc.  This helps break up the monotony and gives you something to look forward to each mile.  Ha ha… who thought we might find ourselves looking forward to burpees!  Don’t forget to grab a drink of water or sports drink before you hop back on the treadmill.

4. Form.  Focus on your form.  Proper running form can make all the difference.  Not only will proper running form make you more efficient, but it can help prevent injuries as well.  Since running on the treadmill is often boring and monotonous and aside from making sure you don’t fall off, there aren’t a lot of distractions.  Try checking in with your body and form consistently through your run. Pay close attention to the times when your form begins to suffer, which tends to be when you start to get tired.  For more info on running form, check out the New Balance Good Form Running website. 

(source)

5.  Playlist.  Nothing inspires me more than a new playlist for my run!  If you know your playlist by heart, it is time to make a new one.  If you are at a loss for motivating tunes, ask your friends on social media what they are listening to. 

6.  Intervals.  This kind of goes along with breaking up your run.  Warm up for a mile, then play around with speed and/or incline.  Try running hard for 1 min and then recovering for 1-2 minutes.  Runner’s World lists four different treadmills workouts here for more inspiration.

7.  Audio Books.  I never thought I would enjoy listening to audio books.  Don’t knock it until you try it.  This is a great way to pass time on the treadmill and keep up on all of the books on your “to read” list.  There are several different ways to listen to audio books.  Audible is a paid service, but often times you can borrow audio books and upload them to iTunes or access them from your computer and then transfer to your phone/iPod.  

8. Company.  Enlist a friend to join you at the gym on side-by-side treadmills and catch up while logging your miles.  If you don’t belong to a gym, try a virtual challenge of some sort.  Right now I am participating in the #iHeartOmron Running Challenge preparing to run a virtual 5K on March 30, 2013.  There are all kinds of challenges out there to help keep your motivation going! #Mamavation is a great place to look for challenges in addition to many other places on the web. 

How do you get through tough treadmill workouts? 

*This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration with Bookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation – a community dedicated to weight loss for women andobesity prevention for families. I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

Conscious Box is a monthly subscription program that delivers products right to your doorstep.  Don’t want to leave your house?  You don’t have to!  The products in the monthly delivery box will vary from month-to-month.  All products are certified gluten-free and non-GMO.  There will be a nice variety of snacks, beauty products, home goods and cleaning products.

• We only work with the most ethical companies – companies that support organic, fair trade, and sustainability in their business practices!
• We have vegan and gluten-free boxes to make it easier to switch your diet and avoid allergies in food!
• We’re a small start-up run by friends and family 🙂 Passion and commitment drives our business – not profit.
• We want to make it easier to shop smart! We’re against greenwashing and want to make it easier to understand what labels mean!

More about Conscious Box:

Discover the Best Natural & Eco-Friendly Products on the Planet

Conscious Box helps you discover the purest, healthiest natural products in the world from the most ethical companies! From natural beauty to health food and non-toxic home goods, you’ll find better alternatives for all areas of your life. Open up your world today with Conscious Box! Subscribe today!

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Conscious Box has created an easy, fun way to discover new favorites! The Conscious Box subscription is a monthly delivery of pure and sustainable products that are handpicked from businesses that care for the planet—just like you! We selectively choose our products, only allowing the purest companies working toward the most ethical goals. Each month, you meet 10-20 of these companies right at your doorstep! (It’s like a birthday, every month!)

As you discover new favorites, Conscious Box makes it fun (and rewarding!) to leave reviews and ratings so businesses can improve their product, packaging, and business as a whole. We place YOU at the core of helping natural products go from good to great! Earning points along the way, you’re then able to apply savings to your favorite products. Simply choose how many points you’d like to spend and boom! You’re on your way to enjoying your favorite product at a fresh, low price.

Conscious Box Wants to Make a Difference

With thousands of products claiming to be the healthiest, most socially responsible company, it becomes difficult to sort through what works and what doesn’t. After experiencing this first-hand, the creators of Conscious Box knew there had to be a better way

Visit the FAQ page for more information.

Conscious Box has offered to give one lucky Gluten-Free is Life reader a 3-month gluten-free Conscious Box subscription – that’s a $59 value!  All you have to do to enter to win is follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter box below. Continue reading →