Pancakes aka Power Cakes!

This morning I was craving something a little sweet. I went down to the kitchen and put together some delicious banana pancakes made from kodiak cakes. You can purchase Kodiak Cakes at Target (:

Power Cakes Nutrition facts: Ingredients: wheat protein isolate, whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, egg whites, non-fat sweet cream buttermilk powder, brown sugar, leavening (monocalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate), sea salt and add water !

In one serving size (half a cup of the mix) there are 190 calories and 15 of those calories are from fat. One serving contains 14 grams of protein and 30g of carbs ! Not too bad for some yummy pancakes. 

To my mix, I added one smashed banana and drizzled some sugar free syrup on top along with another half banana sliced up. SO GOOD... Don't forget your side of some black coffee ! 

-Summer Essentials Wish List-

This list could also be called: graduate gift ideas.
I think we like the same stuff.
Were both going to college next year, right?

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=33388323&category=A_DEC_BEDDING

http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/clothing-70483/skirts-70504/denim-skirts-70614/moto-button-front-a-line-skirt-4347377?refinements=category~%5b209904%7c208649%5d&bi=1&ps=20

http://www.sephora.com/here-comes-sun-makeup-set-P387039?skuId=1630557

http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/bags-accessories-1702229/bags-wallets-70517/premium-luxe-suede-fringe-tote-4276881?bi=41&ps=20

http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/product/we-love-70489/stripe-up-your-life-4322990/stripe-high-neck-bikini-set-4234955?bi=1&ps=200

http://www.freepeople.com/avoca-shell-anklet/_/QUERYID/55407f918570a35d77000028/CMCATEGORYID/683d4023-53f5-4900-b5ce-ecf465df31a9/SEARCHPOSITION/0/STYLEID/35440973/?searchString=anklet

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=35367366&category=UOWW-GHIKECAMP

http://www.freepeople.com/clothes-denim-jeans/boyfriend-shortall-31130719/

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jeffrey-campbell-calhoun-cutout-bootie-women/3977740?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=White%2F+Silver&resultback=2016

http://portlbc.myshopify.com/collections/accessories/products/custom-handwoven-california-blanket

http://www.polaroid.com/products/zip-instant-photoprinter

Product Review: Exo Cricket Flour Protein Bars

I was really excited when Exo offered to send two protein bars for only the cost of shipping (around $2), so I didn't pass up the opportunity. About a week after my order, I received two protein bars in the mail. It never hit me that they were made out of crickets until they came in, and I realized that I was the one that was going to be eating them.

Slightly timid and afraid, I opened the box and saw two well packed bars. One flavored "Cocoa Nut" and the other flavored "Blueberry Vanilla"

They also sent a little pamphlet with some interesting information.
Im not sure if I regret reading this pamphlet or not.

-40 Crickets per bar
-5 crickets per bite
-and 80% of the world eats insects regularly? who? what? why? where? HUH
-I believe it but I don't understand it

So next, I slide my hand timidly to grab the Blueberry Vanilla bar. I slowwwwwly unwrap it, afraid to see what the inside of the wrapper might look like. It looked close to a Blueberry Muffin Lara Bar (a bar made from fruit and nuts).

My first bite (and last) was a scary experience. It didn't taste bad but didn't taste good. But I knew that I had just ate 5 crickets in one bite so I but the bar down. It tasted pretty close to the Lara Bar flavor. Im not sure what I was expecting.

I proceeded to taste the second bar, Cocoa Nut. This bar looked like an undercooked brownie with nuts. Dark in color. The taste of this bar is much better than Blueberry Vanilla. The consistency is also better because it has nuts change up the taste. But wholly cow, this bar had 20g of fat! and only 10g of protein. I should put this one down. I don't love it. I like it, but don't love it. Plus the fat calories don't help. Although, the cocoa taste definitely helps dissolve the thought that you are eating crickets.

-Would I buy them? No.
-Am I happy I tried them? Of course. Now I can say I have eaten more than 5 crickets.
-Would I buy the Cocoa Nut if I was trying to gain muscle/fat? Eh maybe, but I would probably lean towards a Clif Builders Bar or something with more protein and less fat.

An ode to Pasta Sauce

     Marinara Sauce is a great alternative to dressings and toppings, it's a good way to switch up the ordinary. It is fairly good for you if you choose a brand without too much sodium. With crushed tomatoes and vegetables, it is typically used for pasta but we've decided to try out a few more options.

It is rich in Vitatmin C and Vitamin A and marinara sauce may have benefits for diabetics.

I know some salad dressings are heavy in fat and get old and boring...next time, try adding marinara sauce to that salad instead! It is delicious trust me!!!

Some other basic foods you can add marinara to:
-Toast with some sprinkled parmesan
-Rice
-Baked sweet potato
-Spaghetti squash
-Heck, try it on oatmeal.

 

How to Avoid Binge Eating

I'll admit it. Every once and a while, I go overboard, and I binge. If this happens,  I might binge on all "healthy" items, until I feel like I am going to explode, and other times its... lets just use the term "not as healthy". I have found a few ways that this can be avoided. This definitely needs to be talked about, because soooo many people struggle with this... time to shed some light..

1. Eat what you want to eat. Eat what you are in the mood for.

2. Stop making it complicated.

3. Eat a sit down meal. Go to the kitchen, make a plate. Eat it at the table, and continue your day.

4. Keep yourself busy. If you get in the mood to eat when you know your not hungry, take a shower, read a book, read a blog, go on tumblr, go on Forbes.com, watch TV. Heck, just don't go lurking around the kitchen.

5. Avoid too much sugar. Sugar can often trigger sugar craving later in the day, often 30 minutes after your sugar consumption, cravings begin again.

6. Drink water. Think of drinking the amount of 2 tall Smart Water bottles a day. Your tummy can only hold a certain amount of volume. Water can easily make you feel "stuffed" when you are not. Once you are satisfied with your meal, water is great to avoid post-meal binge eating.

7. Put some Mio in your water. I like the mango flavor. Bai5 is another great low-calorie drink.

8. Include plenty of protein in your breakfast to keep you satisfied in the morning.

9. Remember, food isn't cheap. Especially if you are eating out all of the time with your friends instead of plain old "hangin' out".

10. Food isn't the solution to problems. Sometimes just laying down in bed with some old songs and some lighted candles is the solution. You most likely will feel worse if you turn to food for emotional solutions.

Summer Sandals

Now that its summer, its time to whip out all our-- wait.. why do I only own boots. Its time to go buy sandals! Were not talking rainbows and flip-flops. Its time to find some sandals that can easily make an outfit, perfectly paired with jean shorts and a white tee. Sandals that scream "Summer in Greece".

Here are my top choices:
(all pictures come from attached websites)

http://www.zara.com/us/en/shoes---bags/woman/shoes/leather-gladiator-sandals-c598019p2626035.html

$159

http://www.hm.com/us/product/89598?article=89598-B

$24.95

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=shoes_sandalsflipflops&ProductID=2000080542&VariantID=

$19.90

http://www.stevemadden.com/product/WOMENS/Sandals/DENCE/pc/2163/sc/2217/172947.uts?sortByColumnName=Relevance&selectedColor=COGNAC-LEATHER&$MR%2DTHUMB$

$69.95

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/tory-burch-espadrille-flat-sandals-striped-ankle-strap?ID=1297611&CategoryID=1002729&brandIndex=1#fn=spp%3D22%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D%26spc%3D134   

$135

http://www.solestruck.com/jeffrey-campbell-hola-white/index.html

$114.95

http://www.nastygal.com/shoes_sandals/visavis-brock-beaded-leather-sandal

$98

Tori Praver for Target Review

As some of you may know, Tori Praver collaborated with Target for a swim collection more extensively more affordable than her normal swimwear. Her usual price per top or bottom (sold separately) is around $100 per piece! Crazy right!? Anyways, Target is selling her collaboration for around $30 a piece. I actually bought a Tori Praver original at a sample sale for around $15. So I'm not sure if I recommend buying one of her products full price.

The Target Collection is absolutely amazing! The quality is superb! It does not look any cheaper than her regular items. It is fantastic! However, the pieces are only sold online, so I wasn't sure of the quality until they arrived in the mail. 

Take a look at some of the items: 

http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=tori+praver&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories&lnk=snav_ta_tori+praver

Here are photos from the Target website of the online items that were ordered:

 


Here are some photos of mine of what these items looked like in person:

triangle top: $34.99
one piece: $54.99

                                             
                                                   

My Typical LA Day...

It is crazy and scary living in LA. Crazy and scary just because of traffic, and the high cost of lunch. Its a lot different calling LA your home, opposed to making day trips here in High School. It definitely takes some adjustment. My weeks are packed with funky things. I have free time, but at the same time, I don't have free time. There is always something on my to-do list, and my calendar is never open.

The typical day usually starts with a light breakfast at 6 AM. Breakfast 1 out of 2. Breakfast 1 is at home, and usually includes a rice cake with peanut butter, banana slices, and honey, a slice of toast, a serving of oatmeal and sometimes a "Chia Pod". No coffee. Not before practice (don't advise it). 


Next, I have practice up at UCLA at 6:30 AM. Practice usually goes for about an hour and a half. Its pretty nice because most days I am done before 8 AM. This is really great because I get my day going. I never go back to bed. Once you start feeling productive, its a chain reaction throughout the day.

Then comes breakfast #2. Around 8:30 or 9 AM. I like to discover cool restaurants, but it can be costly. I really like Blu Jam Cafe in Hollywood, they have a huge variety of options, extremely healthy and extremely unhealthy. I like to order the "Power House" which is egg whites mixed with veggies topped with two chicken breasts and tomato sauce. This costs about 16 dollars. Not cheap. But hey, thats LA for ya. Another breakfast place I like it Salts Cure. They don't have the biggest breakfast menu, and they only sell drip coffee, no lattes, which was pretty crazy considering how big LA's coffee scene is. But I ordered the  Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich and boy it was good! if your looking for an upgrade to the McMuffin, this sandwich won't disappoint! 
Next on my list of daily activities is usually to go back to my apartment and get some homework done, or drive to a mall to walk around. I usually don't buy anything, but I thoroughly enjoy knowing whats out there. Whether its third street promenade or Westfield Culver City, or Whole Foods (Man I love Whole Foods) its just fun to be out and about. When I've had an easier day on the track, sometimes I will go on a relaxing 20 minute run around Santa Monica.

After some dilly dallying around the city, then comes a shower to clean up and prepare for night time class. I sometimes will pick up a salad to-go at Coral Tree Cafe. Coral Tree makes one of the best Kale Salads. Without added protein, its about 13$. And comes with a piece of bread. Not bad for an insanely huge portion. I love huge portions. I usually call my sister before class and complain to her about nonsense. This is a daily thing.

I then have class at 6:30. Its crazy because with LA traffic I have to leave an hour before hand. In the mornings, well, at 6 AM, I can get to UCLA in ten minutes. Around 5 PM, its a nightmare.

Class is over around 10, and boy am I tired. I usually like to watch some HBO. I just started watching the shows "Silicon Valley" and "Girls", and they are both hilarious! I love to treat myself to some nice TV and a pint of Arctic Zero from Whole Foods at the end of the day.

How to Start Running

I am by no means a runner. I am a sprinter. I can run. I have ran. But my sport doesn't require me logging 10+ miles a week.

I think that many people misinterpret the runners lifestyle. Running is the solution to so many problems. It is an escape. Its not the gym, its not the spa, its an escape that improves you mentally and physically. I highly advise you to become a long runner if you are looking for a new passion. 

If you are tired, go on a run. If you are stressed, go on a run. If you are bored, go on a run. If you are mad, go on a run. I promise you, you will feel better.

The first step is getting into running when you haven't ran in forever. I feel like you should start with a 20 minute run. Any pace. 3-7 minutes running, and 1-2 minutes walking. Switch it up between running and walking. And do this 4 times in one week. Week two, try to go 5 days. Stay consistent. Don't be afraid of carbs either. Eat your breakfast. Oatmeal, eggs, a banana smoothie, coffee and wheat toast. Don't skip it. I also like track workouts. A track is a great guideline for beginners. On your first few runs, you can do one of the two following options. Start running 1-2 miles (4-8 laps), and run in the inside lane(lane 1). As you run more and more, eventually start running in lanes further from the inside, this will increase your distance without you realizing it. 

Another track workout is to walk/jog the curves of the track, and to sprint/run the straightaways. Repeat this for 4-8 laps :)

Here are some running shoes I personally recommend. Nike Pegasus has always been my favorite:

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/air-zoom-pegasus-31-running-shoe/pid-1539954/pgid-1485218

Believe in the long run!

Mother's Day Cupcakes

Don't know what to do for Mother's Day? Your mom will be thoroughly impressed with these light, fluffy cupcakes.

I made these for my cousins birthday, and they were SO GOOD. The frosting was perfect, not too heavy, and complimented the perfectly moist cake. Sometimes, when making or eating a cupcake you find that the cake isn't even good, so you are tempted to only eat the top half of the cupcake. WRONG! These cupcakes will ensure that you want to eat the whole cupcake.. or the whole batch !(I don't advise you eat an entire batch)

I used this recipe (below) from my recipes.com, titled, "Nathan's Lemon Cake".

***However, I did make cupcakes instead of a cake. I feel like cupcakes are easier to graze on through out the week! May or may not be a good idea! They turned out perfect. I baked them for around 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted came out clean.

Ingredients

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CAKE:

Cooking spray

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar $

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 large eggs $

1 cup nonfat buttermilk

2 tablespoons finely grated lemon rind $

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice $

ICING:

3 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon lemon rind $

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice $

Lemon rind strips (optional) $

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare cake, coat 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray; line bottoms of pans with wax paper. Coat wax paper with cooking spray. Dust pans with 2 tablespoons flour, and set aside.

3. Lightly spoon 2 cups flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

4. Place granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and nonfat buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat in 2 tablespoons lemon rind and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

5. Pour batter into prepared pans; sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350° for 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack; remove wax paper from cake layers.

6. To prepare icing, combine powdered sugar and the remaining ingredients (except lemon rind strips) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk until smooth. Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread half of icing on top of cake. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining half of icing over top of cake. Garnish with lemon rind strips, if desired. Store cake loosely covered in the refrigerator.

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These cupcakes/cake would be perfectly gifted with a bouquet of tulips for Mother's day! Tulips can be found at most Whole Foods stores and Trader Joes for around $5 a bouquet! Happy Baking!