Barney Butter Barley

You guys know how much I adore my barley breakfast bowls.

To make them I usually combine barley with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit.

Well, today I replaced the Greek yogurt with something fantastically delicious.

Barney Butter!

Barney Butter!

After cooking up some pearled barley after dinner yesterday, I stirred in a packet of Barney Butter and let it chill in the fridge overnight.

Today I added a sliced nectarine and some pumpkin pie spice to the mix.

Barney Butter Barley Bowl

Oooooh yum.

Nutty Fruity Barley

The Goods

So tasty! I literally licked this bowl clean… and then Sadie did, too. 😉

"Barney Butter RULES!"

Workout

This breakfast was the perfect post-workout meal. Today’s gym session included a BodyPump class followed by 20 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical.

I increased the weights on the back track this week and was really feelin’ it! Today’s lunge track was a little too easy and I feel like my lower body didn’t get quite the workout I was hopin’ for. Next time, my friends! 😀

Honeymoon Update

We are officially overwhelmed.

We read every single one of your comments and suggestions last night (thank you!) and spent hours looking at the websites of various resorts.

All I can say is that if I had a bazillion dollars, I would love to stay at The Ladera in St. Lucia, recommended by blog reader Lindsey.

The Ladera

Not only is this place unbelievably gorgeous, but it also offers a bunch of activities, ranging from scuba diving to zip lining to cooking classes to rainforest hikes. Can you say heaven?

Though this place is beyond amazing, we’re looking for something more within our budget. Your comments and speaking with some friends made us think twice about the Dominican Republic, as it seems like we may not be able to do as many adventurous activities or as much exploring as we’d like to. We don’t want to feel confined to a resort on our honeymoon.

If any of you out there enjoyed a vacation that included fun activities like scuba diving and zip lining and exploring a town, etc., puh-lease let me know! I’ve heard great things about Costa Rica with regard to it being a beautiful place with lots to do.

Why is picking a honeymoon destination so hard!?

The good news  about all this honeymoon hoopla is that Ryan and I have a pact to pick a place by the end of this weekend! We’re going to be vacation-research mad men for the next few days. 😉

Question of the Morning

What is more appealing to you: A vacation filled with activities or a vacation full of relaxation?

20 Minutes of Intervals > 5 Mile Run

You would think that running five miles non-stop would be more challenging than alternating walking with running for 20 minutes, but for me that just isn’t the case.

This morning I did a 30-minute interval workout on the treadmill and was one heck of a sweaty mess by the time I was done.

30 Minute Treadmill Interval Workout

For 20 minutes, I alternated running at a 9.0 pace for 20 seconds with walking at a 4.0 pace for 40 seconds. Let me just tell you that those walking breaks go by quickly!

At the conclusion of my workout, I couldn’t help but feel like I got a better workout doing 20 minutes of interval training than I would have if I ran five miles. When I run, I get into an almost zen-like state and just sort of go, only challenging myself toward the end of the run. During the 20 minutes of intervals this morning, I challenged myself for 20 minutes straight!

Since I really wanted to flip through one of my bridal magazines, I finished my workout with an easy 20 minutes on the elliptical.

Breakfast

Thank you again to Lindsay for sending me several Glo Bars and packets of Barney Butter. They both made a delicious appearance in my breakfast today!

Nectarine + BB + GB

To make my morning meal, I sliced a large nectarine before topping it with a packet of Barney Butter and a crumbled Chocolate Chia Glo Bar.

Drool.

Of course I didn’t let any Barney Butter go to waste…

Every Last Drop...

Along with my nutty nectarine bowl, I also enjoyed a banana.

All Together

Git in mah belly! 😀

Question of the Morning

• Do  you prefer a short, intense workout or a longer, less intense workout?
  

PB & J Remix

Today’s lunch was a PB & J re-re-re-remix! Since I do not have any jelly in my apartment and I polished off my beloved apple butter weeks ago, I had to get creative to settle my peanut butter and jelly sandwich craving for lunch today.

To create my pb & j remix, I subbed out the bread in favor of a Tam-x-ico’s whole wheat tortilla to make a roll-up.

Fortunately the amazing people at Barney Butter sent me a delicious lil’ packet of almond butter that served at the nutty spread in my revised PB & J.

Barney Butter Almond Butter

Creamy Almond Butter

This almond butter is so tasty! I bet I could eat an entire bowl full of it without a problem (though my thighs might disagree 😉 ).

In place of jelly, I used REAL fruit. Who would’ve thought!? I used frozen raspberries that I let thaw to add the sweetness normal jelly provides in a traditional PB & J sandwich.

Raspberries

The bad boy did not disappoint. Though my PB & J sandwich was more of a AB & R roll up, I enjoyed every last bite.

PB & J Remix!

Is there anything almond butter wouldn’t make better???

All Rolled Up

What is your favorite kind of nut butter?

I am dying to try pumpkin seed butter, but haven’t had a chance to yet. Whole Foods has a machine that cranks out honey roasted peanut butter that is unbelievable!

Okay, all this nut butter talk is a little too much for a peanut butter lover like me… I’m officially salivating and I just finished lunch!