Monday, June 23, 2014

My obsession with avocados continues

Like I've mentioned before, I am OBSESSED with avocados.... they are just so darn delicious.
You know that Subway commercial with the two women arguing over how much they love avocados? Yeah, that's basically my life.

Another food I really like is tuna. And I know I just got gag-like responses from some of ya'll, but keep reading.

I used to only like tuna if it was in steak form or in sushi. However, both can be a little pricey and more difficult to prepare.

CUE: canned tuna

I randomly decided to give canned tuna a whirl after hearing about all it's health benefits and believe it or not, I LOVED IT

I never thought I'd thoroughly enjoy something that smells like cat food. (I promise it doesn't taste like cat food).

I'm also a huge fan of tuna salad, but that is usually laden with lots & lots of fat + calories. No Thanks.

Therefore, I concocted my own sort of tuna salad using, you guessed it, AVOCADO! Not only is this recipe delicious, it's also so simple, a baby could make it.

Okay, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but this recipe only contains two ingredients. I repeat: TWO INGREDIENTS. And it doesn't require any cooking....can ya get any better than that?! I think not.



Ingredients: Serves 2
- 1 can of low-sodium tuna in water
- 1 100-calorie packet of Wholly Guacamole minis


And fear not tuna-haters, for this recipe can be subbed with 1/3 cup of canned (or shredded) chicken.


Empty both containers fully into a Tupperware large enough. Mix evenly.

& that's it folks!


Pretty? No. 
Delicious + simple? Abso-freakin'-lutely. 
But this recipe is also extremely good for you, low in calories, and protein-packed! 
It's basically a TRIFECTA of a lunch. 

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 130
Fat: 4 grams
Carbs: 3 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 16 grams

Need I say more?!

I can't wait to make this again and again and serve it in a wrap, with apples + crackers, or just a fork :]


Thursday, June 12, 2014

CHICAGO CHICAGO CHICAGO

such a fantastic place/trip, it deserved to be said three times!

this was my first time ever experiencing Chicago and I absolutely LOVED it!

I'm actually so obsessed that I'm considering living there after I finish school...it is just so great!



If you get the chance, GO GO GO! We drove (a 15 hour drive FYI) and yeah that part kinda sucked, but it was so worth it!

A few trip highlights included

visiting the Bean monument in downtown Millennium Park
Seeing the "American Gothic" painting in the Chicago Art Institute
Seeing Lake Michigan from Navy Pier

                                        
Running along the Chicago River!
going to Lake Michigan beaches!

and best of all - meeting up with a Chi Omega sister from Chicago!

Now, more importantly (at least to me) the FOOD. Pretty much everything we ate was out-of-this-world-delicious!

Every morning, we were given a complimentary breakfast buffet which features a make-your-own omelet bar, tons of fresh fruit, yogurt & granola, oatmeal, and tons of other breakfast things + Starbucks coffee! Needless to say, I was in heaven!  

Pretty much my breakfast every morning - egg white omelet (with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and broccoli) + sausage or bacon + yogurt/fruit + a little bit of everything else they offered (right here, that's frittata and BREAD PUDDING). I looked forward to waking up for this every morning! 
This DELICIOUS salad from a local pub called Elephant & Castle. The salad had citrus chicken, mandarin oranges, raw onions, and salted cashews atop a bed of mixed greens. It was one of the best salads I've ever had!
Ghirardelli ice cream shop.... need I say more?!
The most adorable local tea/coffee company, Argo Tea! I got an espresso cappuccino and my sister got an apple cider hot tea - both were AWESOME! 
Cupcakes from the famous Sprinkles Cupcake Factory. I got a mini red velvet, my sister got a mini lemon, and my mom got a dark chocolate - all three tasted so fresh and I could've stayed in the cute little cafe and eaten more cupcakes for the rest of the day!
& last but definitely not least - Chicago style pizza! JUST LOOK AT THAT CRUST! so thick. so bready. so mouth-watering!! Hands down, best pizza I've ever consumed. 

Chicago is a fantastic city & I can't wait to visit again! The food, people, sights, and culture were so inviting and I instantly felt at home. 

Chicago, you have my heart :]

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Happy National Runner's Day!

Today is a day that holds a special place in my heart - it is National Runner's Day!

I started serious running my sophomore year in high school and fell in love! Running is one of the most rewarding and challenging lifestyles. 

This summer, my sister and I have the privilege of training two days a week with my former cross country coach. Today was only the second day, but he is killing me!

Today, in our of National Runner's Day, I went to practice at 7:00 this morning (yikes) and our workout was:

  • 1.5 mile run through a field 
  • 10 minutes sprinting up a hill and jogging down
  • 10 minutes sprinting up a hill and walking down
  • 1/2 mile run back
  • 2 x 20 ab leg lifts
  • 2 x 20 oblique crunches
  • 2 x 20 toe touches
  • 10 minutes of stretching
After practice, me and Olivia alternated icing & heating our shins before heading off to a yoga class!

What a wonderful way to start my morning!



I refueled with this shake + 2 scrambled egg whites!


&& what a beautiful post-run site!


Happy Day everyone! 

Leave for Chicago tomorrow.... can't wait!!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

the lab

this morning, my sister and I decided to get coffee as her early birthday present before she took her last final!

We went to a local coffee cafe called The Lab.


It. is. so. freaking. cute.
But then again, I say that about every coffee shop I enter. They're like my happy place.


One of my favorite things about it is that they offer almond milk, either store bought or their personal homemade one (which is AMAZING) for your coffee. I'm an avid almond milk lover/drinker/promoter because it is so low calorie, so creamy, and so multi-purposeful! & I'm still waiting on Starbucks to start offering it. 

Anywho, I ordered an almond milk latte with a little vanilla syrup for added sweetness and it was awesome to say the least! 
Olivia (my sis) ordered an iced almond milk latte with chocolate syrup and it was equally as awesome!

After Olivia left for school, I continued to drink my latte and finish my book in the quaint little cafe. It made for the perfect morning!


PS. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it (especially before the movie comes out!) It's great!