Banana Ice Cream

Ok... so it's not really banana ice cream.
My sister calls it banana nice cream.
I call it fanana fice fream.
You see, I have a habit of putting an 'f' in front of a word if its fake/faux...  
I've been known to eat fushi, wear fackets and play fribbage

Anywho, regardless of what you call it. 

This faux fanana fice fream is felicious! 

BANANA NICE  CREAM

Ingredients:

• Frozen bananas 
• A splash of almond milk (or liquid of your choosing, I use unsweetened original flavor almond milk)
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• Toppings (optional)
• Thats it! Simple, eh?

This dish does take a little bit of forethought... mainly you have to freeze the bananas ahead of time. I find this not to be a problem as I always have bananas on my counter, insisting on turning brown. When the bananas start to go to the "dark side", cut them up into slices, throw them into a ziploc bag and throw that bag into the freezer. 

Disclaimer: Since this "recipe" is super simple, I will elaborate un poco for your reading entertainment. 

Step 1: Gather ingredients: Open your freezer, grab and remove banana bag. Open your fridge, grab and remove liquid. Open your pantry/cupboard, grab and remove vanilla extract and/or toppings. Place on counter. 

Look, ma! I did it!

Step 2: Place ingredients in blender or food processor (all except the toppings, of course). The almond milk (or other liquid) is just to help in the blending process. I usually add a splash (descriptive, right?) and then after blending some have to add a splash more. Start off with a few tbsp and then add more if needed. 

I forgot to take a pic at this stage. Essentially, it would look like this. 

Please use your imagination to transport this blender into my kitchen. 

Then make the blender red. 

K, thanks!

Step 3:  Press the button that makes it work. Since I don't know what device you are using, I can't give you exact directions here. I personally use the "crush ice" button a few times, then maybe a little time on "blend", maybe some time on "puree" ... basically, do work on that banana until it resembles soft serve ice cream.

Step 4: Spoon fanana fice fream into a bowl. Top with toppings if desired (please note: it tastes wonderful with out toppings, we just decided we wanted to be fatties and splurge this time around). Add spoon.

The final product

His: a spoon full of brown sugar

Hers: Sixlets and gummy bears 

I love how gummy bears get hard in ice cream... yuummmmm

Step 5: Enjoy!

Running, week #3

I have a confession...

The original 4 week running plan was a little too

...um... "intense" for me. 

It appears I overestimated my starting fitness level. 

Modifications had to be made. 

And I'm ok with that. 

As long as I keep doing *something*. 

[via]

I'm proud to share that I did run/walk/jog/elliptical/frolic

23 miles this past week. 

And also attended a few pilates and yoga classes. 

And apparently burned 2572 calories. 

Take that, laziness.

[via]

Bootcamp starts next Monday, 

and I won't have the time or energy to 

continue with a 4-day-a-week running plan.

So I am abandoning the official "running plan".

But unofficially, I will still be working on my cardio. 

In case any of you were actually interested in running plans, 

or planning on following along, 

here are a few links to awesome running plans 

that I was drawing my inspiration from: 

C25K: Couch to 5k

Runner's World 8-Week Beginners Plan

10 Week Beginners Running Program

4 Week Beginners Running Program 

I have to admit, 

my body has not changed much in the past two weeks.

Which could be slightly discouraging, but

I have noticed a definite change in my energy levels 

and overall 'tude the past two weeks.

So while I can't see the outward effects yet, 

my insides are happy :)  

Don't we all love happy insides?!

Oh hello, Hunger Games

why did i resist for so long??

wwwwhhhyyyyy?!?!

actually, i know why

i am usually oppossed to things such as 

reality tv shows, manufactured pop music and books/movies like Twilight 

it's not that i think i'm "too cool" for these things 

i'm stubborn

something about them just irks me 

(and i'm 99% sure that twilight really does suck)

but back to my main thought 

why did i wait so long to read the hunger games?

it was SO good 

i started it this morning 

and already finished it 

(having a day off work helped, i'm sure)

but dang, gina! 

never in my life have a read a book that fast 

i just ordered the next two today 

which means i have to wait 2-3 days to start the second one 

...thats 2-3 days TOO long 

i wish i would have read them 4 years ago when my friends first suggested it 

or a few months ago when more friends suggested it 

ayyyyeee

oh well, i've read it now 

and now i must see the movie 

any one in arizona want to go see it with me?? 

even though i'm weeks/months/years too late haha

Walk Around the Block

Arizona is just LOVELY right now

the colors are so bright, clean, crisp

this past weekend, we had a storm rolling in

so the clouds were GORGEOUS 

i have a weakness for clouds 

i just think they are so rad 

i also take wayyy too many pictures of them

and my friends have been known to make fun of me for it 

regardless, here are some pics from my weekend stroll 

around our neighborhood

clouds, flowers, cactii, sunshine

with no photoshop or filters

just natural beauty

lemon tree and clouds

three little ducks
quack quack quack

AZ canal

clouds, clouds and more clouds

someone was here before me
"hurry up... good job... scary bathroom turn now"

outside wall of the aforementioned 'scary bathroom'
i did not venture inside to see the extent of the 'scariness'

bright spring flowers

purple cactii, about to bloom

tree lined sidewlak

Happy Friday!

[via]

tax season is over

i have a lovely three day weekend

halle-freakin-lujah

[via]

my plans for this weekend:

- clean 

- gym 

- juice

- read 

what are your plans for the weekend?

Who? Us?

The lovely Miss Aislin over at scribbles by a nominated our new little blog for a Liebster award. 

Liebster? I hardly know 'er! 

The purpose of this award/nomination is to recognize the smaller blogs. 

You know, give those hidden gems a chance to shine. 

And we are sooo stoked Aislin thought of us! 

Rules: 

{1} Choose five up and coming blogs to give the Liebster award to. 

Blogs must have less than 200 followers. 

{2} Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

{3} Post the award on your blog. 

{4} List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites. 

Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know. 

{5} Share 5 random facts about yourself! 

....and now to announce our winners.... 

....drumroll please.... 

[in no particular order] 

{1} Devon @ The Mermaid Chronicles

{2} Olivia @ Olivia.Dee

{3} Kristin @ Skinny Jeans & a Chai Latte

{4} Christy @ Sparkles & Spinach

{5} Leah @ Keep Your Sunnyside Up

And now for 5 random facts about US...

{1} Our favorite movie is Zoolander. 

{2}We once hosted a pirate party that may have ended with 

someone getting dog biscuits glued to their face.

{3} We have both seen every single episode of 

Law and Order: SVU. 

We currently rewatch episodes while 

gchatting with each other from 333 miles away 

ok... ready... go... its loading... 

they're talking... wait your 5 seconds ahead!... ok paused... 

"doink doink"

{4} One of us is obsessed with fruit, the other is obsessed with veggies

{5} Our birthdays are exactly 30 days apart

It might be time for bed...

 Robin 10:46 pm

    imposible
    (said in french)

 Ashley  10:47 pm  
    oooo i like that
    i said it in french
    but i made the italian hand gesture
    like mamma mia

 Robin  10:48 pm
    also, i think i meant spanish

 Ashley 10:48 pm
    thatsa spicy meataball

 Robin 10:48 pm
    but yes
    in some romantic language

 Ashley 10:48 pm
    bahahahaha
    that made me giggle

You know its getting close to bed time when you start saying things in interchangeable accents..... 

Good night all!!  <3

Mini Cauliflower Pizza Cups

Let me start off by saying that colored cauliflower might be my new favorite vegetable. 

Its just. so. fun.

Yes, it really looks like this. 

In my box of magic this past week, I was lucky enough to get a purple cauliflower. 

Can we say stoked!?? 

I kept trying to find an awesome cauliflower recipe that would be fun to prep and that my veggie-phobic friends would actually eat. 

Then I was shopping and found a mini muffin pan on sale. 

So it was decided my cauliflower would be in mini muffin form. 

Mini Cauliflower Pizza Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 tbsp milled flax seed 
• 1/8 cup low fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano + 1/2 tsp dried basil (or 1 tsp pizza seasoning of choice)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• whatever additional pizza toppings you'd like

Steps: 

1. Preheat oven to 425. Prep muffin pan for pizzafication (grease the cups, line with lines, whatever. The inspiring recipe says to use silicone or foil liners... I just greased my mini muffin tin with some EVOO and it ended up turning out fine. No sticky mess for me. )

2. Wash cauliflower and break into smallish segments. Steam the cauliflower. 

...before...         and        ...after...

i LOVE the color change! So much purpleyness! (thats a word, right?)

3. Drain out all of the excess water. You may want to try pressing it with a paper towel (I let mine sit in the fridge over night so it kinda drip-dried). 

4. Place cauliflower and flax seed in a food processor or high speed blender and pulse until it reaches a rice like consistency. (Mine was a little more gooey than ricey... perhaps a little too much moisture? After baking it ended up being fine.)

5. Mix cauliflower and other ingredients in a bowl. 

6. Spoon into muffin pan. Press the tops so that its compact and flat on top. 

Aerial view provided by the boyfriend... 

I asked him to take some pics for the blog and he turned into the dang paparazzi

7. Place in oven and bake for about 25 minutes. 

8. After 25 minutes, remove from oven and add your toppings. We used mozzarella, lean ground turkey (seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic and lotsa lotsa pepper) and some parsley flakes for color. 

9. Place back in the over and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown/bubble. (If you are opting for a topping free version, I'd say about 10 more minutes as well, just keep an eye on them) 

10. Remove from oven. Let them cool a little bit and enjoy! 

The finished product :)  

 I'm still in love with the purpleyness!

Things to note:

• Recipe adapted from here.
• I substituted flax seed + the water from steaming the cauliflower for the egg white, for a slightly healthier kick. Hello, Omega-3!
• I doubled the cauliflower, but not the cheese from the original recipe. Another attempt and making it slightly healthier.
• I personally would not consider this meal as a whole "healthy"... But it's a lot of veggies... and three veggie-phobes said they liked it... and it's yummy.So I'll allow it.
• Very easy to make this meal vegetarian.... I'm not sure about vegan though.  Even though there isn't that much cheese, it does help bind the "dough"... I'm sure someone more creative than me has some thoughts/comments on this.

Dear Robin...

...the clouds in the sky remind me of you today...

...and this line:

"my mama gone you can spend the night, ya heard me.."

(:

1000 gifts

Inspired.


To appreciate the small things. 

To live in the now. 
To be present. 

(source)

I'm linking up with fairy tales are true for "1000 gifts". 

The purpose of this post is to list 1000 gifts (or things or people or feelings or memories or thoughts or gadgets and gizmos a plenty or whoosits and whatsits galore) that you are grateful for.

By January 1, 2013, 
I hope to have accumulated a glorious list of 1000 items
that make me smile daily :) 

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

THE LIST 

{1} Arizona sunsets 
{2} the end of tax season 

{3} my orange camelbak water bottler

{4} the ability to walk home from work
{5} turquoise nail polish 

{6} banana nice cream

{7} texts from my sister 
{8} the smell of orange blossoms

{9} new nicknames (daily) from the bf
{10} blooming cacti

{11} the word "cacti"
{12} The Art of Happiness 
{13} acai green tea

{14}  planning vacations 

{15} finding super good deals at Ross 

{16} the palm tree right outside my office window 

{17} Law and Order: SVU

{18} gchats with the homies 

{19} listening to Pandora at work 

{20} canoodling (aka snuggles)

{21} a boss that appreciates me 

{22} the ability to walk to the gym (thanks, legs!)

{23} blogs... reading them, writing them, loving them

{24} hour long phone convos with my brother 

{25} sunshine 

{26} musicals 

{27} my very soft and cozy bed 

{28} long hot showers

{29} seeing the moon during the day

{30} Rock (see what I did there... 30 Rock!!)

{31} pilates 

{32} my personal chauffeur (aka boyfriend who gives me rides EVERYWHERE)

{33} steamed broccoli

{34} getting packages in the mail 

{35} casual Fridays at work 

{36} Stephen Colbert 

{37} new sunglasses 

{38} purty clouds

{39} stormy breezes with my window open

{40} free lunches at work 

{41} boyfriend saying "i'm gonna snuggle the shit outta you!" 

{42} friends who let you vent 

{43} camelback mountain

{44} storm clouds 

{45} a clean bedroom 

{46} warm, freshly washed sheets
{47} a great book 
{48} hugs when you're feeling blue
{49} new blog friends 
{50} 75 degree mornings
{51} breakfast burritos
{52} fridays, sweet fridays
{53} weekend brunch
{54} cucumbers 
{55} my veggie spiralizer
{56} sore muscles (from bootcamp, woohoo!)
{57} boyfriend dropping everything to take care of me when sick 

(source)
{58} playing board games on a sunday
{59} May 4, 2012
{60} shopping for bridesmaid dresses
{61} hugs from friends
{62} frozen grapes
{63} garlic hummus
{64} having a shower that drains once again
{65} having friends who understand/accept my quirks
{66} The Hunger Games
{67} little birdies singing outside my window

(source)
{68} Three Little Birds
{69} getting a full nights sleep (when i can)
{69} inspiring quotes by inspiring people
{70} thoughtful text messages 
{71} bananas 
{72} friendly coworkes 
{73} a very understanding boyfriend 
{74} It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia 
{75} stretchy pants
{76} fight club
{77} sushi bowls 
{78} texts from bff while she's in Hawaii 
{79} SVU drinking games 
{80} coconut water
{81} yoga 
{82} avocados
{83} lily pads
{84} flippie floppies
{85} Kilt Lifter beer
{86} wraps 
{87} sandwiches
{88} food, food and more food
{89} Monopoly City 
{90} Sugar Rose lip balm 
{91} the "lake" near my house 
{92} San Diego weather 
{93} pool time 
{94} family chats 
{95} banana runts 
{96} business cards with my name on 'em (I'm fancy!) 
{97} Organic Vanilla Nut caffeine free "coffee"
{98} my sisters puppies (aka my cuddle buddies) 
{99} organic raw honey
{100} reaching 100 on this list 
{101} having my hair done by my sister and her super model friend
{102} people who quote same tv shows as me 
{103} proper waffles 
{104} Big Bear
{105} taco salad 
{106} kale chips 
{107} Twittering with friends 
{108} boyfriends secret BBQ burgers 
{109} my niece in a tutu 
{110} dinosaurs 
{111} the number 111 
{112} 112? Peaches and Cream! Memories of high school cheer...
{113} Spa-ghetti days 
{114} telescopes 
{115} Flagstaff
{116} Cave exploring
{117} perogies
{118} BD Wong (first name has no periods)
{119} pizza

.......

Follow Ashley's list here.

National Siblings Day

So I just read that today is National Siblings Day... 

...and I'm all sorts of excited now. 

Let me take a minute to introduce you to my family :) 

Back Row:Lindy (step-sister), Will (Lindy's husband), Holly (the baby), Mark & Momma, Ami (the eldest of my full siblings), Jim (Ami's husband), 

Sitting: Lisa (my bffl), Me, Sean (aka Quincy, step bro, another bffl)

Laps: Carter (Lisa's puppy and my cuddle buddy), Lucy and Micah (niece and nephew)

  How many homeschoolers fit into a tree? 

Apparently 7. 

Me, my sisters and 3 of our family friends.

 Ashley's birthday celebration in Big Bear. 

Bahaha look at Quincy! 

Sisters sippin' on bellinis in Vegas... 

Keepin' it classy 

Sisters in San Diego 

Ami was so mad that me and Lisa "ruined" the photo

We thought it added pizaaz

First game of the season, Redskins vs Cowboys 

My Washington, DC adventure with brother

(and if you look closely, you can see Ashley in between our faces... I tried to include her since she was soooo jealous that we got to go to the game and she didn't)

I LOVE these punks. 

Can't wait to see them when I visit California in a month.

Dear Ashley...

Let's do this next time we are in the same state...