Weekly Rewind~Top 5 Recipes Edition

This week’s rewind is all about FOOD! These are the top 5 most viewed recipes on my site.

5th Place: Kitchen Scraps Homemade Vegetable Broth-I eat a lot of veggies and end up with a lot of vegetable scraps. I like to save money every way I can and I also like to have homemade versions of convenience items as much as possible. It is super easy and economical to make your own broth. I like to use veggie broth when I cook, either because the recipe calls for it, or to add nutritional value to things like pasta, rice, and other grains.

4th Place: Meyer Lemon Blueberry Muffins-The Meyer lemon in these muffins give them an incredible lemon fragrance and flavor that is unbelievable. This recipe would be great with raspberries as well.

3rd Place: Strawberry-Goji Muffins with Mini-chocolate chips-The recipe for these muffins came from Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton. The goji berries are used in a creative way and lend a depth of flavor to this healthy muffins while the mini-chocolate chips add a delicious hint of sweetness and indulgence.

2nd Place: Soft Pretzel Bites with Sesame Seeds-These pretzel bites are reminiscent of the big soft pretzels that you can find at the mall. They are super easy to make and highly customizable.

1st Place: Cookie Butter Banana Bread-It comes as no surprise to me that this is the most viewed recipe on my blog by a landslide! In my opinion, cookie butter makes everything better and this bread is no exception. If you haven’t made it yet, I highly encourage you to make it as soon as possible!

What’s your favorite recipe on my blog? What recipes would you like to see in the future?

Weekly Rewind~Easter Edition

Are you excited for Easter weekend? I know my kids sure are! This week’s rewind is all about Easter. I’ve included both vegan foods as well as some other cute stuff I found around the internet. For even more Easter themed fun, check out my Easter Pinterest Board!

How cute is this guy? This zombie-style Easter bunny plush by HenryStMartin is a humorous addition to your Easter collection. You buy the zombie plush separately, but to add an Easter holiday touch to it, you can buy the zombie’s costume for $12 + shipping.

Super cute, super easy hats for your kids (or kid at heart)! Head on over to One Perfect Day for complete instructions and a free template!

Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? Check out this awesome vegan peanut butter egg from Sjaak’s Organic. Yum, yum!

Look, it’s a vegan bunny and eggs! Allison’s Gourmet doesn’t disappoint with this adorable vegan chocolate bunny speckled with rice crisps and flavored solid chocolate eggs.

These savory herbed shortbread with pesto filled thumbprints from Glue and Glitter sound like the perfect Easter appetizer to me.

Avocados are a staple in all vegan diets and this Chilled Avocado Soup from She Knows Vegan looks amazing!

I don’t think that lasagna is a traditional Easter dinner but it should be! This Vegan Lasagna with Basil Cashew Cheeze from Oh She Glows is incredible! My omnivore family devoured the whole pan.

I’ve always been intimidated by risotto, especially after watching Hell’s Kitchen and hearing Gordon Ramsay yelling at the chefs every. episode. that the risotto is CRAP! However, Jackie from Vegan Yack Attack assures me that this Asparagus Portabella Risotto is not to be feared.

I think every vegan eats tempeh or tofu on a fairly regular basis, so Easter should be no different. These Miso Tofu or Tempeh logs from Kathy Patalsky look mighty tasty to me.

We can’t have a complete Easter without delicious desserts now can we? Isn’t this cake gorgeous? The original post is in Finnish so some of the ingredients are probably hard to find in the States, but I fell in love with the photos, so here is the cake!

These Cinnamon Swirl Caramel Cheesecake Bars from Chef Amber Shea should not even be legal! Seriously.

What are your plans for Easter? Do you have an Easter Egg hunt? Do you host a big brunch or dinner for your family?

Weekly Rewind~Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That Edition

Have you read any great blog posts this week? Are you ready to see what I’ve been reading this week? I’ve got some great stuff for you today.

There are some great giveaways going on around the blogosphere lately, here are two of my favorites.

Pinch of Yum is giving away a brand new Kindle! Can you believe it? I have a nook (which is Barnes and Noble’s version of the Kindle) and can’t imagine life without it. I’ve got over 100 books on mine, can you imagine how much space I’m saving by not having to put all those books on shelves? Giveaway ends March 27th, so hurry up and enter already!

Sally’s Baking Addiction along with 10 other bloggers are giving away a Nikon D3100 PLUS 35mm lens. Unbelievable! This is one giveaway you do not want to miss, head on over to any of the blogs that are participating right NOW! Giveaway ends March 31st, hurry up, what are you waiting for?

Need some running motivation? Bored with the same old routine? Check out this fun scavenger hunt from the folks at runchat! The #RunChat Scavenger Hunt begins at 9 a.m. ET Thursday, March 14, 2013, and runs through 9 p.m. ET Sunday, March 31. Read the complete #runchat scavenger hunt rules to join in the fun.

Susan Lacke from No Meat Athlete busts 8 common triathlon myths, how many have you heard before? No Meat Athlete also shared a great infographic this week, 7 Greens You’re Probably Not Eating (But Should Be)

I also enjoyed reading this great article from Runner’s World: Eat Vegan & Run; excerpted from the book Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek with Steve Friedman.

After my injuries during the half marathon I’ve been feeling down and defeated so was motivated when I read the article, Swimming Workouts for Runners. My physical therapist said besides my stretching, strengthening and physical therapy sessions, the only acceptable form of exercise for the next 2-4 weeks is swimming.

What interesting articles have you read this week?

Weekly Rewind~St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Pro Compression Marathon Shamrock Socks-Experience maximum benefit with the Marathon full-length, graduated compression sock. Compression technology helps improve blood flow, resulting in better, more consistent performance with less fatigue and faster, more efficient recovery. In addition to improving vascular performance, Marathon compression socks provide support to critical muscles and tendons, helping reduce inflammation and soreness.

Lucky BIC Bands-Don’t get pinched this year, with our LUCKY BIC Band in a versatile emerald green. Great for your St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock run!

Do It Yourself Fabric Paint St. Patrick’s Day Towel-Add just a touch of St. Patrick’s Day to your kitchen with fabric paint. It’s easy to make up quick dish towels to celebrate any event with a little fabric paint and a whole lot of imagination!

Leprechaun Prints-You know those leprechauns are up to nothing but trouble when this time of year rolls around.

Shenanigans T-Shirt-There is just one question have you tried a Crazy Dog T-shirt yet?  Just Wait until you slip on one of these super soft tees.   You’ll instantly fall in love! Not only are they printed on super soft cotton but the tees fit great on too!

Green Powerhouse Pesto Plate-“This isn’t actually “pesto” per say since it’s nut-free, but it’s close enough. I adapted my beloved creamy avocado dressing for this one. It’s a simple blend of avocado, basil, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, sea salt, and garlic. The dressing has a nice zip to it, kicking up the dish several notches which is always a good thing when cooking with millet.” -Angela Liddon

Colcannon-Colcannon is really just mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage mixed in, but it’s one of those concoctions where the sum is equal to more than the parts.

Leprechaun Grilled Cheese-Grilled Cheese sandwich with broccoli pesto, your kids will love it!

Shamrock Shake Up-Mint leaves, simple syrup, vodka and soda are shaken up for a fun adult beverage.

Shamrock Juice-Pineapple juice, sparkling lemonade, sparkling white grape juice
lime Popsicles, & green apples are all you will need for this fun drink!

Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting Shots-Chocolate Covered Katie does it again! “This mint-chocolate cream is great for any of the following; as a frosting for cakes or cupcakes, for peppermint ice cream sundaes or brownies, as a rich and decadent pudding or mousse, to make friends with leprechauns!”

Minty Grasshopper Pie-“Layers of green soy-based mint-vanilla pudding mingle with a chocolate cookie crumble crust and minty white, whipped fluff on top. All vegan. And that mint green color with tiny mint-colored specks is 100% natural. It was achieved by blending in a pinch of baby spinach (but don’t worry, you can’t taste it). This silky, creamy, cloud-like pie will refresh your palate and make all your mint chocolate dreams come true!”-Kathy Patalsky

For even more St. Patrick’s Day ideas and inspiration check out my Pinterest board!

Disclaimer: The cookies and food on my Pinterest board are not all vegan, but they are all vegetarian!

Weekly Rewind~Herbivore Triathlete Edition

When I usually do my weekly rewind posts I share links, posts, articles or blogs that I’ve particularly enjoyed over the past week. This week I thought I’d do things a bit differently. I always enjoy when bloggers share tidbits about their personal lives giving me a peek into who they are “in real life”. So that’s what I’m going to share with you guys today.

Here we go!

1. Growing up I was an avid horseback rider and qualified for National Championships three times; 1992, 1994 and 1995.
2. I had two horses that we boarded at the farm down the street. We paid a minimum monthly boarding fee due to buying our own grain, hay, straw and mucking out the stalls. Lucky me that was my “chore”!
3. My horses were named Jazz and Frosty.
4. I am the third child out of four. I am the only girl.
5. I am the only one of my siblings who is married and has children.
6. I became a vegetarian at age 14. I switched to veganism in May 2012.
7. In junior high and high school I played a variety of sports. These included; track (I ran hurdles and did sprint distances), field hockey, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
8. I don’t wear any make up. Ever.
9. I prefer wearing flats. No high heels for this girl!
10. I only wear skirts or dresses if I absolutely have to, pants all the way all the time.
11. My hair is naturally curly and it drive me nuts.
12. I’ve been told my best feature is my eyes.
13. I have two dogs; a Border Collie/Lab mix named Harley who will be 15 years old next week, and a pug named Esther who will be 9 years old in June.
14. I have three children; Rachel, age 13, Dylan, age 8, and Grace, age 6.
15. I prefer salty or savory foods over sweets.

Weekly Rewind~Health and Fitness Edition

With the start of triathlon season quickly approaching I’ve been thinking a lot about nutrition and fitness, more than usual. For this week’s rewind I’ve put together a list of articles I’ve enjoyed this week on the subject. I have also discovered a handful of new to me fitness blogs that I’ve been stalking exploring.

Nutrition:
•       Avocado Lovers May be Healthier Overall
•       Superfoods; Cabbage, Avocado, Hemp Seeds, Chia Seeds, Goji Berries, Pineapples and more, plus recipes!
•       Nutrition, Rhythm, and Metabolism
•       Thrive Forward: A Free personalized online program to help transform your health through plant-based nutrition developed by Brendan Frazier.

{Scott Olson/Getty Images}

Fitness:
•       17 Ways to Get More out of Cardio
•       34 Ways to Make You a Better Runner
•       Perks of Running Solo or Social
•       Running for Time vs. Distance
•       Why Not Tri?
•       Triathlon Training and Running
•       Rich Roll Podcasts
•       Crossfit Endurance Blogs:
 •       Skinny Runner
•       Stuft Mama
•       iRunnerBlog
•       Healthy Tipping Point
•       Life Less Bullshit
•       Strength Running

Have you read any good articles this week? Training plans? New blogs? Share in the comment section, links encouraged!

Weekly Rewind~Blogging Tips, Tricks and Resources Edition

For me, starting a blog was kind of like going vegan. I dove in headfirst and am learning as I go. Both blogging and veganism have a steep learning curve but both have become progressively easier as time goes on and I learn more.

For this week’s rewind I’ve compiled a list of all the posts that I’ve found helpful over the past several months. Posts that I’ve read and re-read countless times and will continue to refer to going forward as well.

{Source}

Photography

• Ten Things I’ve Learned About Food Photography by The Pioneer Woman
  
• Tasty Food Photography by Lindsay from Pinch of Yum
• The Language of Food Photography from Gourmande in the Kitchen
• Food Photography: How to Size Your Images for the Web by Spice Foodie
• Food Photography Basics by Sally’s Baking Addiction

{Source}

Food Blog Posts & Resources

• How to Start a Food Blog by Pinch Of Yum
  
• How to Start a Food Blog by White on Rice Couple
• Resources for Food Bloggers by Pinch Of Yum
• Food Blogger Pro by Lindsay & Bjork from Pinch of Yum
• Eight Food Blogging Trends that Need to Stay by I Am Baker
• Tips & Tricks for Starting a Food Blog by Sally’s Baking Addiction

{Source}

General Blogging Posts

• Real Talk Blog Tips Part II by Joy the Baker
• 10 Important Things I’ve Learned About Blogging by The Pioneer Woman
• Search Engine Optimization Series by Bake Your Day
• Blogging 101, Blogging 102, Blogging 103, Blogging 104, and Blogging 105 by Averie Cooks.
• Being Personable on Your Blog by Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Blog Content & Strategies by Sally’s Baking Addiction
• 13 Posts about Blogging by Carrots ‘N’ Cake
• 4 Part Series about Blogging from Meals and Smiles; Blogging 101: Content, Blogging 101: Design, Blogging 101: Photos, and Blogging 101: Marketing 
• SEO for Fitness Bloggers by No Meat Athlete

Do you have any blogging tips, tricks or resources to share? Links encouraged!

Weekly Rewind~Sick Child Edition

It’s been quite the week here at Herbivore Triathlete‘s house. After running 10 miles on Sunday, I was physically exhausted. That night my Princess complained of a headache, but I didn’t think much of it, chalking it up to a bedtime stalling technique, turned her lights off and tucked her into bed. That night she crawled into my bed around 11:00 pm and we did not sleep longer than an hour stretch all night. My phone rang at 5:45 am, schools were delayed 2 hours due to icy and snowy roads. My youngest daughter spent the day crying in pain every time she moved that her head hurt. Her fever progressively climbed higher and higher each day.

Staying home from work two days this week with my little girl meant lots of snuggling on the couch, reading stories, watching movies, Gatorade, Tylenol and Ibuprofen. And very, very little sleep! It’s always so hard to see one of my children in pain. If I could take her pain from her I would in a heartbeat.

This week at school she had been chosen to read the morning announcements. She was home sick that day. She was also supposed to go on a field trip to see a play, “Skippy John Jones”, she was home sick that day too. Due to President’s day weekend, it was a short week and Wednesday her class was scheduled to have their Valentine’s Day party. She was home sick that day too. Poor little Princess wanted so badly to go to school, but her fever didn’t break until later in the week.

The Princess had her 6 month cleaning at the dentist this week and while she had no cavities, she still was the recipient of some not fantastic news. When her bottom front two adult teeth grew in, her baby teeth never fell out. They never even got loose and I’ve tried to wiggle them frequently over the course of the past 6 months. This week the dentist gave me the news I’d been dreading, she will need to have them extracted. It’s not been a good week for the Princess.

We also put our house on the market and have been looking at new homes ourselves. This meant lots of cleaning, decluttering, organizing, filling out disclosure papers, signing contracts, meeting with a Realtor, etc.

Valentine’s Day was low-key and spent at home. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup with the kids. The kids got some small gifts from me and the hubs got peanut butter and chocolate Reese’s cups. I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

It’s been a very busy week! Have a great weekend!

Weekly Rewind~Valentine’s Day Edition

Happy Valentine’s Day! I thought it would be fun to share all the yummy Valentine’s recipes I’ve been seeing around the blogosphere this week for the weekly rewind.

Let’s get started with drinks shall we?

Blood Orange Sangria from How Sweet It Is

{Source: How Sweet It Is}

Red Velvet Smoothie with Cashew Cream Filling from Keepin’ It Kind

{Source: Keepin’ It Kind}

Can I interest you in some appetizers?

Beet Ginger Coconut Soup from A Farmer in the Dell

{Source: A Farmer in the Dell}

Go-To Kale Salad from Oh She Glows

{Source: Oh She Glows}

Next for the entree..

Chana Masala from The Post Punk Kitchen

{Source: The PPK}

Spaghetti & No-Meatballs from The Lunchbox Bunch

{Source: Kathy Patalsky}

And now for my favorite part of any meal, dessert!

Vegan Dark Chocolate Strawberry Truffles from Fork & Beans

{Source: Fork & Beans}

Strawberry Shortcake with a Coconut Whipped Cream Topping from One Green Planet

{Source: One Green Planet}

What do you do for Valentine’s Day? Do you go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant with your love? Or do you prefer to make a sinfully delicious dinner in the comfort of your own home? I prefer staying home with my husband and three kids.

Weekly Rewind~Superbowl Edition

So this weekend is the Superbowl. Some people, like my husband, take this football game very seriously. Me, not so much. I am not a football fan. Not at all. I do know who’s playing, the 49ers and the Ravens. That’s where my knowledge ends however.

While I don’t really care who’s playing or about football at all, I do love any excuse to eat lots and lots of delicious food. And drink beer. Beer is good. Food is good. Beer + food = winning!

So, with all that said, I thought I’d put together a list of some plant-based friendly foods that would make a fantastic spread for Superbowl Sunday.

Cheesy Baked Vegan Jalapeño Poppers by Namely Marly

{Source: Namely Marly}

Tempeh and Black Bean Quesadillas by Bev Cooks

{Source: Bev Cooks}

Vegan Buffalo Bites by 86Lemons

{Source: 86Lemons}

Homemade Sriracha by Blue Kale Road

{Source: Blue Kale Road}

Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese Breadbowl by Vegan Yack Attack

{Source: Vegan Yack Attack}

Speculoos Swirl Brownies by Oh, Ladycakes

{Source: Oh, Ladycakes}

Truck Stop Jo Jo Potatoes by Vedged Out

{Source: Vedged Out}

Creamy Artichoke Spinach Dip by 86Lemons

{Source: 86Lemons}

Vegan Poutine by Healthy Voyager

{Source: Healthy Voyager}

Chocolate Coconut Cashew Butter by Averie Cooks

{Source: Averie Cooks}

Soft Pretzel Bites with Sesame Seeds by Herbivore Triathlete

What’s your favorite part of Superbowl Sunday? The football? Maybe the commercials? Or are you like me and love the food most of all??