Cookies with a Purpose

Since having to push my trip to Africa to summer 2014, I have been getting back to working towards running a marathon.  I have two races coming up, one in Austin on April 14th and the second in Sweetwater on April 27th.

The weather in Waco has been pretty great running weather and I love being able to run after work.  However, some days when the work day ends I don't have the energy to run.  I'm trying really hard to stick to a some-what healthier and injury-prevention eating plan; which includes avoiding all energy drinks.  So I have being doing some pinterest research and stumbled across these bad boys...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies!

 

I was a little skeptical at first, but I really had a burst of energy that lasted with no intense crash.  Plus they kept me full until dinner so I wasn't snacking between meals.

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
• 2 scoops protein powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375
• Combine all ingredients and mix well (they are very thick)
• Scoop onto cookie sheet and flatten with a fork (makes 8 big cookies or 12-16 smaller)
• Bake 14-18 min. (watch for browning)

Happy Hump Day!!

Throw Back Thursday

In honor of throw back thursday....look at this little gem I have found.  Back in my Lubbock days this is one way we entertained ourselves! Enjoy....

Video: Danielle
Vocals: Robert
Dancers: RT-LT, Me, Kaydi, Morgan, Jill

Miracle Match Marathon Relay

Awesome day today!! I got participate in the Miracle Match Marathon Relay. I was the first leg of my team running 5.8 miles in 58.56 min....(I'm pretty proud of that considering I'm not really in running distance shape!!!).  I handed off to Hunter who ran a good 8 miles.  Then Christie ran uphill for 7 miles.  Matt (and Hunter actually joined him) ran our anchor leg through the trails of Cameron Park for 6 miles! We crossed the finish line together a little over 4 hours.  Not bad for a few first timers :)

Here are our before and after shots!!

 

The atmosphere at these races is great!  Every time I finish I'm amped to sign up for the next one!!  So proud of our team and for all who came out to run!!

Oooey, Gooey, Goodness

 

I got this yummy little treat from Brittany over at FunWithTheFullwoods and it is officially my favorite!!

It is a cookie/brownie combo of greatness!!

What you need.....

1 package (18 To 21 Oz. Box) Fudge Brownie Mix

1-¼ cup All-purpose Flour

¼ cups Packed Brown Sugar

2 whole Eggs

½ cups Butter, Melted And Cooled

2 Tablespoons Water, Or More As Needed

1 cup Chocolate Chunks

What you do......

1. Whisk together brownie mix, flour, and sugar.
2.Using a heavy spoon, stir in the eggs one at a time, followed by butter and 2 tablespoons water. If the batter appears like there is too much flour, add 1 more tablespoon of water. Batter will be very thick.
3. Fold in chocolate chunks
4. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
6. Grease a cookie sheet.
7. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough on the cookie sheet. You want pretty thick cookies here to get the brownie feel, about 3 inches apart. Press down slightly. Don’t flatten completely. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
8. Remove from oven, allow to cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely

These are truly the best cookies/brownies EVER!!

Enjoy

Check It Out

My friend from high school, Whitney Cypert, is having a pretty awesome give away!! You don't want to miss out on!!

Check her out here!!!

Cookies-N-Cream Bark

This new little pinterest find has gotten lots of comments and the truth is....it is the easiest  thing in the world to make!!

Ingredients.....I'm not sure many people can handle this....
 -White Almond Bark &
 - Oreos
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Line an 8x8 pan with enough wax paper for a 1 inch overhanging on each side. --Melt almond bark using the directions on the package (I only used half with one full Oreo package)
--Chop Oreos and stir into almond bark.
--Pour mix into pan and let sit in the fridge for about 10 min.
--Lift whole bark out pan using the wax paper.
--Split into pieces using a fork 

Easy peasy and sooo tasty!!


Happy Humpday!!

Christmas Rounds

This Christmas season I was fortunate to have several rounds of Christmas!! But I must warn you, I got a new camera so this blog will be a picture overload!!!

Round 1: Mike, Stacey, Austin, Alli, Tyler, and Andrew.

Round 2: Grandparents and Parents.

Round 3: Grandparents, Parents, Andrew, and Jessica: 

Round 4: Mike, Stacey, Austin, Alli, Tyler, Parents, and Jessica:

And finally, Round 5: Ruffin Family....There are so many of us on this side that there are only a few times a year we are all together...so beware I got a little picture crazy :)

So needless to say, I had a very Merry Christmas!!