Monthly Archives: April 2016

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

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April 28, 2016

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

 

pb bup

 

I have FINALLY hooked my hubby on green smoothies!!! šŸ™‚ For those that donā€™t know Sai, he is not always excited to try new things. He started by occasionally taste testing my smoothie and then he started drinking one daily but only because I would make it and say, ā€œhere, DRINK ITā€! Now, he wakes up and asks, ā€œwhat no smoothies todayā€!

Yes, this process has been going on for a few years but some people are more difficult to convince. For Sai, he has seen and felt the difference in his days after he has a green smoothie for breakfast. He will often times have TWO, one in the afternoon as well!
So wives, husbands, daughters, brothers, moms and dads; if you are trying to share the greatness of green smoothies with the ones you love be patient and keep sharing. Start with the recipes that will be most comfortable for your loved one and then expand their horizons gradually over time. Ā 

If they are a peanut butter cup lover like us, try this delicious smoothie for a starter! Anything with peanut butter has to be good!

 

Recipe Adapted from Simple Green Smoothies

Peanut Butter Cup SmoothieĀ 

  • 2C Spinach (I use fresh spinach that I have previously frozen)
  • 2C Almond Milk – unsweetened
  • 2 Bananas
  • 3TBS Cacao
  • 2TBS Peanut Butter

Blend Spinach and milk until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

 

Enjoy!

 

Share a green smoothie with someone you love, you can change their life!

 

Happy Sharing!!! šŸ™‚

 

Got my Brooks on, I’m ready to go…run (train for) the Chicago Marathon!!!!

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April 22, 2016

Got my Brooks on, I’m ready to go...run train forĀ the Chicago Marathon!!!!

 

CHICAGO1

 

It is amazing to think that three years ago I ran my first organized race (5k) with my then 4 year old daughter. A few months prior to the race Kailee started asking to run with me – not in the stroller or on her scooter but run –so of course I said yes! She had asked to run the 5k with me because she truly enjoys running, and because she REALLY wanted a finisher metal. šŸ™‚

 

That one 5k, The Halloween Hustle, started a chain of multiple race endeavors for our family, races that I would run with my kiddos. After several family races I wanted to challenge myself. You have to understand, running by yourself 20 miles a week for 20+ years can get…well boring at times. I wanted to train with a purpose, with a goal. So, I set my sights on one of the toughest (if not the toughest) half-marathon races in Kansas City, Hospital Hill. AMAZING!!! (There is still time to join me at Hospital Hill this year, discount code HHRKELLI!)

 

After I crossed the finish line, I already knew I wanted to continue training for a full marathon. So I signed up for the Kansas City Marathon, which was only four months away… Now, while I had been running for years, I had never run more than 7 miles prior to training for Hospital Hill, (why would any sane person) So as I began training for The Kansas City Marathon I was NERVOUS. Nervous that I wouldnā€™t finish, nervous that I would pass out, nervous that I would get injured, just nervous!

While I felt OK on most training days, if was HARD…hard to run 15, 16, 17, 20 miles. Hard to find the time to run, hard to stay hydrated, everything was just HARD! But I must say I enjoyed the challenge, I enjoyed training with a purpose, I enjoyed training to achieve a goal I had set for myself.

 

My first marathon was in October 2015. Ā Ā I had major hydration issues which led to excessive calf cramps, headaches etc. (read the full Race Day post). But I pushed through and I FINISHED!

 

After crossing the finish line I said to myself, ā€œI have to do this again, and do it better!ā€ It was then (or maybe shortly after I regained feeling in my legs) that I set out to run the 2016 Chicago Marathon. Why Chicago?Well, because itā€™s the Chicago Marathon! šŸ™‚ An added bonus is Ā that Chicago will be a much flatter course than the rolling hills of The Kansas City Marathon so it should allow for my best possible race!!! šŸ™‚

Chicago-marathon-pic

My race journey began because of my daughterā€™s desire to run, and has continued and grown because my kids still love going running with me. If they didnā€™t go with me I would never have the time to train, thatā€™s for sure! Itā€™s something we can do together and all enjoy. What better way to continue encouraging kids to get active and make healthy choices that by running as a Team Healthy Kids Athlete!

This is an extraordinary organization that is helping educate kids on the benefits of healthy food choices and being active!

I am so excited to be running the 2016 Chicago Marathon as a Team Healthy Kids Athlete. In the process I hope to help by bringing awareness not only to the organization, Action for Healthy Kids, but also to the movement of educating kids on the importance of nutrition, the benefits of making healthy food choices and being active! Ā If I, at 35 years old, can run my first marathon, then asking kids to commit to being active 60 minutes everyday is NOT asking too much!

 

I hope to show kids and adults that our health is a gift and we are called to preserve this gift. It is not just about Race Day, but also the months of training preparing for the race that makes the difference.

 

Team Healthy Kids and I would LOVE your support.

 

How can you help?

  1. Please share this article with anyone you think might enjoy it!
  2. Donate to help support Team Healthy Kids and my quest to run the Chicago Marathon https://donate.actionforhealthykids.org/fundraise?fcid=647517
  3. Attend any of the several upcoming fundraising events I will be hosting over theĀ next several months.

 

We will be posting information on upcoming fundraising events, subscribe to receive email updates so you donā€™t miss out on anything! You can follow my training progress on instagram @ksinthusy and also on the blog.

 

If you have any suggestions for fundraising opportunities or would like to donate items for an event, please comment below or contact me directly.

 

Thank you so much for your support!

 

Happy Training!

 

Ā 





Homemade granola chunks / bars

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April 20, 2016

Homemade granola chunks / bars

IMG_20160420_132338

 

I have always been a huge fan of granola; granola bars, granola cereal, granola parfaits, etc. Unfortunately as my knowledge of processed foods, additives artificial flavoring and artificial food coloring increased my desire to buy granola products plummeted. Almost every ingredient I mentioned is found is most packaged granola products. šŸ™

 

So for a long time we just went without any granola. But as I started searching for more real food options began to come across granola recipes. I have since tried several recipes and some are better than others but this recipe I have to say is DELICIOUS!

 

I made this week per the request of my 1st grader for her school lunch. I absolutely LOVE when my kiddos not only eat some of the new food I have introduced but start making requests!

 

Granola/ Granola Bars ā€“ makes 3lbs

Recipe Adapted from www.100daysofrealfood.com

Ā Ā 

  • 3Ā½ cups rolled oats (steel cut oats for bars)
  • 1 cup raw sliced almonds
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Ā½ cup raw sunflower seeds
  • Ā½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Ā½ teaspoon all spice
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Ā½ cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Ā½ teaspoon salt
  • Also need ā€“ parchment paper

Ā 

INSTRUCTIONS

Ā 

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cover a rectangular baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the dry oats, almonds, cranberries, coconut, seeds and spices together in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter melts stir in the vanilla and salt.
  4. Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and stir together with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
  5. Spread mixture onto prepared pan in one even layer. Bake for 75 minutes.
  6. The granola will become crisp as it cools at which point you can break into pieces (if making bars) or break it up into small chunks by pounding it in a zip lock bag (if making cereal). Store in air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

 

My kids prefer to make large granola chunks, perfect for their tiny fingers! šŸ™‚

 

The great thing about this recipe is you can add in any ingredient you would like to try. We like the dried cranberries but you could use cashews, pecans, raisins etc.

 

Happy Baking!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Bean Brownies

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April Ā 17, 2016

Black Bean Brownies

black-bean-brownies-pinterest

These are a family favorite and a perfect dessert for Sunday Dinner!

If you haven’t yet tried these…these are a MUST try! So next time you feel like making brownies skip the boxed brownies and all the chemicals and additives and give these a try!

You will NOT beĀ disappointed! :

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

July 13, 2015

Black Bean Brownies

black-bean-brownies-pinterest

 

Itā€™s summertime, the kids are home and I LOVE baking with my kiddos. Since Iā€™m always on the search for yummy homemade goodness I decided to share one of my favorite finds! While we are not a gluten or dairy free home I still love to make recipes that are because they are so delicious! So next time your family wants brownies for dessert try this recipe! Itā€™s fast and easy (a must in our home). Made with all real food ingredients you can enjoy a yummy dessert without the all the extra (unknown) additives that wonā€™t leave you feeling, blahhh! šŸ™‚

TIP: The first time I made these I didnā€™t tell the kids nor the hubby these were black bean brownies. They devoured them before I could tell them! šŸ™‚

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder (10g)
  • 1/2 cup quick oats (40g) (See nutrition link below for substitutions)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave (or honey, but not for strict vegans.) (75g)
  • pinch uncut stevia OR 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g) (See nutrition link for substitution notes)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (115-140g) (Not optional. Omit at your own risk.)
  • optional: more chips, for presentation

Total Time:Ā 15m

Yield:Ā 9-12 brownies
Instructions

Black Bean Brownies Recipe: Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the textureā€”and even the tasteā€”will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chips, and then pour into a greased 8Ɨ8 pan. Optional:Ā sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top.Ā Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. If they still look a bit undercooked, you can place them in the fridge overnight and they will magically firm up! Makes 9-12 brownies.
Read more at http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/#hlkQvFHZx52mQW7W.99
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/

Read more at http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/#hlkQvFHZx52mQW7W.99

 

Happy Baking!

Got my Brooks on…Iā€™m ready to go…almost…maybe…maybe tomorrow?!?!

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April 13, 2016

Got my Brooks on…Iā€™m ready to go…almost…maybe…maybe tomorrow?!?!

 

 

running with all kids

 

Ever just have ONE OF THOSE DAYS?! It seems the busier we get the more days like this I have – and yesterday was no exception. After maybe 4.5 hours of sleep, and long day of work, work, kids and work I get Kailee from school and Iā€™m thinking, ā€œOK, I have 2 hours before gymnastic class…I can totally squeeze in a nap!ā€ (funny thing is, I never nap – no time) I also know I’m training for theĀ Hospital Hill Half MarathonĀ and I need to get in a 4 mile run and strength training today. Yes, I could put it off until tomorrow – but friends, that is a slippery slope – why put off till tomorrow what we can do today.

 

After we got home, I feed the kids and we packed up to go for our run! My hubby trains in the evenings so either I take the kids or I don’t go. On occasion I will go for a night run, but I knew I was too tired for that today! It wasnā€™t by best run, but I got my miles in and it was a decent run. Most importantly, my kiddos had a great time. Kailee LOVES riding her bike and the boys just love being outside. They even got out and ran about 1 mile with me – and afterwards I was so happy we went. After gymnastics class I was able to squeeze in a good strength training workout and then bed! šŸ™‚
Everyday, every workout will not be perfect…DO IT ANYWAYS! Ā 

There is no perfect time to start…there is only TODAY!

 

If you have pics training with your kiddos, please share!
There is still time to join us at Hospital HillĀ ! Register todayĀ and use discount codeĀ HHRKELLI.

 

How are you training today?

Happy Training!

 

Ā 

 

Cross Training

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April 3, 2016

Cross Training

Week 4 of 12 week half marathon training

kailee bike

 

Training everyday can become time consuming and really start to feel like a burdenā€¦especially with hectic schedules and/or kids or both! One thing I will always to say is, ā€œtake the little ones with youā€! Not only are you getting to spend time together but you are also modeling a healthy, active lifestyle. Sometimes all three kiddos go running with me, and other times one, two or even none.

Today was an extra special day for me because my daughter ā€“ the oldest ā€“ went on a bike ride with me. Today was my cross training day and I spent the afternoon with my daughter, laughing, racing, and having a great time!

 

Finding ways to incorporate your workouts into your day and make it part of your lifestyle will make it so much easier and much more enjoyable! Once I stopped looking for reasons why I couldnā€™tā€¦.I started finding ways I could! J

 

I finished my training of with a short yoga routine and some strength training while watching the Royals Home Opener! J GO ROYALS!!!

 

If you still havenā€™t registered for Ā Hospital HillĀ there is still time to join us! Training with a goal is much for motivating! Ā See ya on the hill!!!

 

How did you train today?

 

Have a Blessed Sunday! J