Pretty ‘n’ Pink

I really don’t consider myself an extreme girly-girl, though Ryan may disagree with this statement entirely. I do love clothes, shopping, weddings and babies. However,  I’m not a huge fan of doing my hair or putting on make-up and can be found lounging in my Victoria’s Secret Pink sweats with my hair in a ponytail (or a nice high bun that Ryan likes to call my “poof“) most of the time.

Beloved Victoria's Secret Pink Sweatpants

One thing that I do share with typical girly-girls is my love for the color pink. Last night I made a delicious snack to bring to work today that resulted in the most brilliantly colored pink puff of tastiness.

After reading rave reviews of this concoction hailed by the women of Oxygen, I decided to try the recipe known as “Pink Fluff.”

To begin, simply prepare a packet of sugar-free jello, but only use one cup of hot water to stir into the packet. Do not pour in the other cup of cold water like the directions on the box indicate.

Put the jello in the fridge for an hour or two until it has set and become firm, then top the Jello with one cup of cottage cheese and blend baby, blend!

Strawberry Jello and Cottage Cheese

BLEND AWAY!

Blended Cottage Cheese and Jello

What a beautiful puff of pink fluff!

I topped mine with freshly sliced strawberries, almonds and walnuts.

Pink Poof

The consistency was like a hardened mousse. It was definitely creamy, light and fluffy. For you cottage cheese haters, this is a fantastic way to use the curds because you would never know cottage cheese was in this bad boy.

This recipe was so simple and so tasty. I cannot wait to try it with sugar-free lemon jello. I think it might taste like lemon meringue pie. Drool…

Pretty AND Yummy

Question: Do you consider yourself a girly-girl? Why or why not?

Peanut Buttery Breakfast

This morning I woke up craving a warm and toasty breakfast. I think the doughy bread from Ryan’s enormous sandwich last night left me wanting more wholesome goodness, so I decided a bagel would be the base of my morning meal.

Alternative Sweet Wheat Bagels

I first toasted a Western Bagel Alternative Sweet Wheat bagel before determining what spread I wanted to use to top the warm breakfast bread.

My love of peanut butter kicked in, but we’re currently out of the nutty spread, so I opted for my powdered peanut butter favorite, PB2 as the bagel topper.

First I scooped two tablespoons of the powder into a cup and added a bit of water and stirred until the consistency resembled real peanut butter.

PB2 Powder

PB2 Stirred

I spread it on the bagel halves and topped them with sliced almonds for that crunch I adore.

PB and Almond Bagel

A Closer Look

I then poured myself a hot cup of Yogi Mayan Cocoa Spice tea and my breakfast was complete!

A Yummy Tuesday Breakfast

This was a great post-run meal. I always love whole grains after a good run. They fill me right up!

Runner’s Fuel: Homemade Granola

Before (and after) setting out on a morning five mile run with Sadie, I fueled up on homemade nutty apricot granola.

My Runnin' Buddy

I actually made the granola with the intention of using it as a topping on yogurt or oatmeal throughout the week, but considering the amount I already ate this morning and how delicious it is, I don’t know if it’ll make it to Monday.

I began by chopping dried apricots  until I had a full quarter cup of the fruit.

Sliced Apricot

Overflowing 1/4 c. Apricot

You can easily use a combination of any type of dried fruits: raisins, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, pineapple…

I love all kinds of nutsand conveniently had slivered almonds and walnuts onhand so I added a quarter cup of each to the bowl with the apricots.

Slivered Almonds

Chopped Walnuts

Fruit and Nuts

I poured one and one third cups of overflowing old fashioned oats (not the quick-cooking kind) in with the dried fruit and nuts.

Oats, Apricots, Nuts

To moisten the oat mixture and add sweetness, I combined a quarter cup of honey with three tablespoons of melted butter and drizzled the liquid over the oats, tossing to coat the mixture.

The Sweetness of Honey

Honey Butter

Coated Oat Mixture

After tasting the granola, I decided it needed a little extra oomph and added a liberal amount of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to the mix.

I spread the granola on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray and baked it at 350 for 12 minutes. I then stirred the mixture and baked it for an additional eight minutes (or until lightly browned).

Nutty Apricot Granola

Cinnamon and Spice and Everything Nice

When I took the granola out of the oven it didn’t have the crunchy consistency  that I associate with granola, so I put it in some Tupperware and stuck it in the fridge to harden. Perfect!

 

The spices and nuts really took the granola to the next level. I think I’ll go have some more… Yeah, it’s definitely not going to make it to Monday!