Thinking Out Loud

This has felt like the longest week ever. It has not been one of my better weeks, but I'll get into that in a minute. Please can it just be Saturday already?! I have a few things planned on Saturday for my boyfriend and I because it's been a heck of a week and we both need some time to destress and unwind. I'm keeping things a surprise, I LOVE surprises, and I'm pretty excited about it😁 anyway let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud post...

1. To say this week has been long is an understatement. The major blow came to me on Tuesday when I finally sucked it up and went to doctor because I had been having really bad knee pain for about a week. I figured it was nothing so I continued on it, I had a run streak to protect, but apparently I was wrong. Of course the doctor had to go and bend it every which way, at that point I felt like punching him because HOLY SMOKES IT HURT. The doctor is pretty sure I hurt my IT band which he stressed is common among runners and he told me to stop running for awhile. I was crushed. I have been running every single day for months. I love it and I miss it and I cannot wait to get back out there. I got sent for an X-RAY and if that doesn't show anything I'm going to get an MRI next week. I miss running SO MUCH😭

2. Want to know what else stinks about not being able to run right now? The weather is absolutly perfect. I'm talking 75F degrees, a light breeze, sunshine a picture perfect day. On the bright side I have been getting outside with Cora and soaking up all the sunshine. Cora is loving this weather as well because it's not too hot for her, she is not a fan of 90F degree days especially given she's black and has a LOT of fur. 

3. I found a two pound container of strawberries on sale for $3.50 so of course I snatched them up. Most places have one pound containers for $2 or $3 this time of year because berry season is basically over. I was cutting up some strawberries to go with dinner last night and I came across this mutated strawberries. You would think it's two strawberries but it's actually one strawberry! The leaf only went halfway through the middle of the berry, it was strange but it tasted delicious so I'm not going to complain.

4. It may still feel like summer but I'm totally crushing on these protein pumpkin waffles right now. Sadly I can't eat them with nut butter on top so I pile on the berries and syrup. They're so good and make a single serving so for those of us who cook for one it's perfect! The recipe easily doubles or triples so you can definitely make it for more than one. I really can't brag on this waffle enough, it's THAT GOOD😋

5. Some days when I actually get out of gym clothes and do my hair and makeup and feel accomplished. Such days obviously require the flower crown snapchat filter. Seriously though I basically live in gym clothes. I need to stop being such a bum and wear regular people clothes once in awhile because I wore jeans for the first time in awhile and it felt incredibly weird. I have a strict policy that I don't leave the house wearing sweatpants though so I'll throw on capris or something- never leggings though. I despise leggings.

6. I have been honing my carpentry skills with my dad recently. He decided to take on the task of rebuilding one of our main decks so I've been working with him. My dad has been having me help him with carpentry stuff and other various things like plumbing, electrical, car repairs/maintenance since I was really young and I've learned a lot. I'm proud of the fact that I can build stuff like deck railings and change the oil in my car without help. Needless to say I was never the girl who painted her nails when I was little #tomboy.

I don't have a ton to say this week so I will end things there. What's your favorite snapchat filter? What is one skill you have and are proud of?

Have a great Thursday everyone, only one more day until the weekend🎉🎉🎉

Protein Pumpkin Waffle (Single Serving)

It's Waffle Wednesday! In case you didn't already know, but waffle Wednesday is totally a thing. What makes these waffles is the fact that it's pumpkin everything....and I mean EVERYTHING!

Waffles are always great, but something about pumpkin waffles just makes me smile. Strange I know, but pumpkin makes everything better! Which is only fitting seeing as it is pumpkin season right now. Besides being loaded with all things pumpkin this waffle is packed with 18 grams of protein! If 18 grams of protein doesn't convince you to fire up your waffle iron then the fact that is it pumpkin should!

Protein Pumpkin Waffle

• 1 Tablespoon coconut flour
• *1/2 scoop protein powder (Quest, Vega, PEScience all work)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoons organic pumpkin- NOT pumpkin pie filling 
• 3 Tablespoons egg whites
• 2 Tablespoon unsweetened vanilla almond milk

* You do not have to include protein powder

In a small mixing bowl combine all ingredients. 

Heat up waffle iron to medium-high setting. Spray waffle iron with nonstick cook spray.

When warm pour batter into waffle iron. I have a jumbo waffle maker so I made one giant waffle, but for a regular size waffle iron you can get two waffles.

Check after 4-5 minutes. Every waffle iron is different so cook time will depend on your waffle iron.

I topped my waffle with fresh raspberries, Purely Elizabeth pumpkin fig granola, Wild Friends pumpkin spice nut butter, and Walden Farms pancake syrup.

Nutrition (first one is with protein powder and the second is without): 
MACROS (with protein powder): 9C/2F/18P
MACROS (without protein powder): 8C/2F/6P

Nutrition Facts
Servings 1.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 125
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2 g	2 %
Saturated Fat 1 g	5 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 8 mg	3 %
Sodium 168 mg	7 %
Potassium 133 mg	4 %
Total Carbohydrate 9 g	3 %
Dietary Fiber 4 g	17 %
Sugars 2 g
Protein 18 g	37 %
Vitamin A	19 %
Vitamin C	2 %
Calcium	22 %
Iron	10 %

Nutrition Facts
Servings 1.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 75
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2 g	2 %
Saturated Fat 1 g	5 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg	0 %
Sodium 110 mg	5 %
Potassium 90 mg	3 %
Total Carbohydrate 8 g	3 %
Dietary Fiber 4 g	15 %
Sugars 2 g
Protein 6 g	13 %
Vitamin A	19 %
Vitamin C	2 %
Calcium	7 %
Iron	10 %

Weekend Deets and Eats

To be honest I cracked myself over my cleverness for the post title, sad but true. I think the lack of sunshine is making me go a little crazy. All of last week through Saturday it rained. All day. Every day. I was going nuts. I hate being stuck inside. The rain had me lacking motivation to do anything other than snuggle up in bed with a good book and a cup of warm lemon water. 

Saturday morning I was up bright and early to lift and run but also I wanted to see my lifting buddy who I had not gotten to see in 3 weeks. I was pumped to see him and catch up, plus I got a solid arm lift and run in. When I got back from the gym I was really hungry so I whipped up my classic post gym classic- protein oats. It was made with gluten free oats, Bob's red mill protein powder, strawberry slices, banana coins, raspberries, Enjoy Life allergy friendly chocolate chips, sprinkles, and a light drizzle of honey😋 I also had an egg plus 6Tablespoons egg whites on the side for some extra protein. 

I was tired of being cooped up in the house with all the rain so in the afternoon my boyfriend and I headed to the mall to walk around and look for a birthday present for one of my best friends. If you've never been to Sur La Table you are seriously missing out! It's a store filled with everything you could ever want or need for your kitchen and dining room. I always find so many cool kitchen gadgets that I want to try out, but I restrained myself and stuck to getting part of my friends birthday present. Sur La Table is pretty much a more affordable version of Williams Sonoma and they offer cooking classes too, which I want to try out sometime.

On the way back from the mall there was a break in the rain so we headed to a park to walk some trails. Despite the humidity it felt amazing to be back outside. I definitely need to move somewhere where I can be outside all year round. The rain started back up so we headed back and decided to get some takeout and watch movies for the rest of the night. The sun decided to peep back out through the rain so we got to see a beautiful rainbow, I was super excited because I love rainbows and it's pretty rare to see one in Michigan.

I felt like a salad for dinner and he wanted thai food so we ended up stopping two places to get food. I got an oriental chicken salad from Applebee's but subbed the crispy chicken for grilled chicken. The Applebee's we stopped at was super accommodating to my food allergies and the food was so good so I will definitely be back. I love when restaurants are willing to accommodate food allergies it makes me feel a little bit more normal. We were going to watch movies but stumbled across a hockey game on TV so we watched that. Even though it was a Blackhawks game and it's only the preseason I have been missing all the NHL action. I'm pumped for the season to get started.

This granny was up WAY too late Saturday night (technically Sunday morning😳) and of course I woke up way too early for getting to bed so late. I was totally dead so I had a pretty lazy morning and didn't make it to the gym until after 3pm which is unheard of for me. Even the gym staff was shocked I was there so late- and yes the staff all knows me by name because I'm there everyday. I'm not big on listening to music while working out- I listen to the news while I run on the treadmill, nerdy I know- but I for the past week I have not been able to get Nick Jonas' song The Difference out of my head. It's so dang catchy! I heard it at the gym while lifting and I've been listening to it nonstop since. His album that was released earlier in the summer is pretty good, he's definitely grown up since his Jonas Brother days.

Sunday night I was pretty dead from being up so late the night before so I had a relaxing night in. Cora and I played outside and watched another beautiful lake sunset. Fall is definitely in the air because the nights are a lot cooler and the sun is setting so early. I love fall but I know snow is around the corner and it makes me super sad because that means snow is coming😭 

That's a wrap on my weekend, have a great Tuesday everyone and be on the lookout for a new recipe tomorrow😏
What did you do this weekend? Would you rather have an exciting night out or have a cozy night in?