Archive for June, 2012

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June 27, 2012

Cannellini Bean “White Sauce”

Guess what just happened? Something big. HUGE. Something my dad and I have been talking about for years now. On December 2, I will be participating in the Strip at Night Half Marathon! We officially signed up (and payed the pricy fee…) over breakfast this morning. I cannot be more excited. With the start outside of Mandalay Bay, finish at The Mirage and live bands rocking out alongside the entire course, could there be anything more exciting? Oh yeah, I should also mention people getting hitched mid-race, the plethora of running Elvises on top of the usual strip chaos and the fact that it will be just 14 days before I turn 23. Woah. I’m giddy to have another goal to work toward. And, I mean, come on, Vegas? I feel like a screaming teenybopper watching a Justin Bieber concert. My dad’s commitment, after all he’s recently been through, is so inspiring. Although he doesn’t think he’ll be able to complete the full 13.1 (he’s done this Vegas race twice before), just running the first few miles side-by-side with him will make me happy.   

Moving on. Last night I waited for Amanda to get out of work and headed to the gym so we could complete a quick arm circuit together. She then surprised my family with a wonderful meal of ground turkey stuffed peppers and a chickpea salad. Isn’t that just the sweetest? I hope to snag her recipes to share with you all soon. In the meantime, however, I wanted to give you a peak at my cannellini bean “white sauce.” Amanda and I put together a similar sauce a few weeks back for our cauliflower crust so I wanted to give you the recipe before I post our pizza. It’s a cinch. In a food processor simply pulse together (to your desired consistency) a can of cannellini beans, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/2 cup fresh parsley, 2 roasted garlic cloves, a small roasted tomato and a tablespoon of olive oil. Season with a little salt and pepper. DONE. How easy is that? I cooked up a spaghetti squash the other night for dinner, mixed in some of the “white sauce” and topped it with some roasted asparagus, as well as a sprinkle of nooch. It was glorious. I put the leftover sauce in the fridge, which has created a delightful hummus-like veggie dipper. What a pleasant surprise.
Do you have a dream race you’ve been wanting to complete?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Dinner, Fitness, Hors D'oeuvre, Life Happenings, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack | 4 Comments »

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June 25, 2012

As of Late…

Whenever I go a week or so without blogging, it’s hard to start back up or know where to even begin, regardless of the circumstances. Today is one of those days, however a little out of the ordinary. All weekend, as I’ve had some time to mull over recent events, I’ve tried to come up with an eloquent way to deliver some kind of inspirational message regarding counting your blessings or seeking the good out of every situation but I’ve struggled. As I mentioned a little while ago, two members of my family have been battling cancer. Unfortunately, my grandmother succumbed to her illness earlier this month, her service was on Tuesday, and then Friday (which ironically would have been my grandmother’s birthday…) my uncle passed away. I hate to ever be dismal or depressing on my upbeat platform here but it was an elephant in the room I needed to quickly address.

 
 
 

While things have been a bit rough, especially on my father who lost his mother and remaining brother in just a matter of weeks, I have never experienced the love and support our close friends and family have enveloped us in. From poolside and barbecue distractions to heartfelt, handwritten cards, words cannot begin to explain my gratitude for simple but monumental gestures. I’ve also never felt more committed to leading the clean, healthy lifestyle I strive to live. So to make light of such a not-so-fun post, I wanted to share some pictures of recent positives or “the good” in all of this. Sailing with the boyf and his father has been a treat, as was trying my first raw oyster — a daunting and slimy but beneficial experience, nonetheless. Watching my dad bring a brie burger to life (brie inside two thin patties, grilled for ooze-tastic results) after seeing them on the Food Network recently was also pretty fun. “Grill B!tch,” as we jokingly refer to him as, succeeds again! I’ve also been Instagramming lots of green smoothies, filled with superfoods like chia, bee pollen, spirulina, flaxseed meal, goji berries and cacao powder. Yes, it tastes a lot better than it looks. I swear. Perfect for all the heat we’ve been experiencing. So yeah, that’s what’s been going on. If it’s any consolation, I received some amazing news in terms of my professional life so that is one thing that calls for a bit of a celebration! I’m itching to get started, although my start date isn’t until late August. I guess I’ll just have to kick back and enjoy the summer while I have the chance, right? Well, thanks for listening today. I hope to finally post my homemade Larabars and cauliflower pizza crust adventure this week.

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Life Happenings, Random | 6 Comments »

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June 19, 2012

Branford Road Race 2012

I like running. I like doing so waterfront. I like the thrill of friendly competition. I like live music. And I like watermelon (endless supply at the finish line? Don’t mind if I do!). That’s why I was stoked to participate again this year in the Branford Road Race. Well, that and the fact that I got a discount on my new Mizunos (third pair of the Wave Precisions in a row!) if I signed up at SoundRunner. Pretty enticing marketing ploy…

I’m proud to announce that this past Sunday, Amanda and I beat our time from last year by a landslide. Hey, 5 miles are nothing to us now after our half-marathon! I ended up finishing 644th (out of the 2117…such a great turnout!) with a time of 41:49. Not too shabby, especially since I was NOT feeling it when I dragged myself out of bed that morning. Coffee and the smiling faces of my fellow runners above got me out of my fitness funk.

Amanda and Adam pushed me through the somewhat hilly course and I was extremely fortunate to have my biggest fans cheering me on at the last stretch. Kudos to my mom for another great, mid-stride action shot and happy father’s day again, Dad!

Let’s just say the tradition will continue on next year. You’ll find me at the same place, same time…with the same amount of watermelon in hand, surrounded by the same love and support.

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Fitness, Life Happenings, Reviews | 2 Comments »

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June 14, 2012

Salmon Black Bean Burger

Canned salmon has become one of my favorite protein sources. I often add it to a big bed of greens, make cold salmon salad with a spoonful of hummus, chopped celery and green onion (perfect on top of crackers and cucumber boats!) or sometimes even eat it as is with a drizzle of apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon. It may seem strange but all I could think about after making pesto the other day was a burger of some sort (i.e. veggie or turkey), envisioning a generous dollop of the herb-aliciousness on top. So that’s precisely what I decided to make, naturally experimenting with a new creation. A black bean burger has been something I’ve wanted to tackle for some time now, however after a successful  weight training and ab sesh at the gym in the morning, I wanted more of a protein boost so turned to the last can of salmon in my pantry. What happened from there was tremendous. Let’s just say I gave myself a huge pat on the back after eating every last bite.

Ingredients
(Yields 2 patties)
5 oz. can of skinless & boneless pink salmon
1/3 cup black beans, slightly mashed
1 tablespoon chia/3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon onion, chopped
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
Juice from 1/4 lemon
Cayenne pepper (I used 1/2 teaspoon for a kick!) and salt to taste 

Start by combining the chia and water. Let this sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to form into a gel. In the meantime, chop up the onion and open/drain the cans of salmon and black beans. Be sure to rinse the beans before using a fork to mash them into a chunky consistency.

Once the chia is ready, mix together all the ingredients and form into two patties. Place the burgers in a olive oil-coated skillet or pan over medium heat. Cook until each side is lightly browned. I kept mine more cake-like but if you like it crispy, smoosh ‘em down so they are thin and keep on cookin’!

So there you have it! Eggless, gluten and guilt-free burgers! Not your traditional recipe but healthy and divine. Like most things I create, this “salmon cake” concept can be altered easily. No flaxseed meal? Breadcrumbs or ground oats can be used. An egg can substitute the chia gel, too. Want more veggies in there? I bet chopped spinach or grated carrot would be fabulous, alongside fresh herbs. I might even try using a variety of beans and some portobello mushrooms next time. GO WILD! With a generous slather of pesto and a few slices creamy avocado, this burger was a great addition to my barbecue repertoire. That’s for sure!
Any fun, untraditional burger recipes to share? 

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Dinner, Lunch, Snack | 4 Comments »

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June 12, 2012

Budget-Friendly, Dairy-Free Pesto

When my sister and I came across lush basil plants last Friday at our town’s farmers’ market, we couldn’t help ourselves and brought one home as a “gift” to my mom. A gift that we certainly will be reaping the benefits of. Basil, in my opinion, is the flavor of summer. My family always has one planted in a big ceramic pot on our sun-soaking deck so I can enjoy it finely chopped on top of watermelon, in my water with freshly squeezed lemon and, most importantly, in pesto. Pesto is a staple in my house this time of year and the taste of family barbecues, pool parties and beach picnics. This summer will be a bit different, however, as I have taken such huge strides in cleaning up my diet. Being gluten-free and cutting back on all dairy (except Chobani…it surprisingly doesn’t have an affect on my stomach like cheese or other milk products), the typical pesto pasta salads I used to indulge in will no longer be much of an option. So that’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands yesterday. Since my wallet hates pine nuts, as does my friend Amy, I embraced the lower price tag, texture and health benefits of walnuts.

Ingredients
(Inspired by Gluten-Free Goddess)
2 cups loosely packed basil
1/2 cup walnuts
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Lemon juice, sea salt and pepper to taste

Ready? This is easy. Like really easy. Start by washing and removing any stems from the basil. In a food processor, combine basil with the walnuts and garlic, pulsing until fully chopped. Slowly add in the extra virgin olive oil and process. I left mine kind of chunky but for more of a thin, spreadable paste, add more extra virgin olive oil and continue to process. Season with sea salt, a little pepper and hint of lemon, if desired. Cover and chill before serving.

Pesto is simple and extremely versatile. You can throw in virtually any herbs to put your own twist on the recipe and serve it over grains, greens, legumes, burgers, fish, baked potatoes, etc. for a fresh, seasonal dish in just seconds.  Now that I have figured out that pesto can taste great without the cheese and pine nuts, I cannot wait to start experimenting more! Maybe a coconut oil version? Or how about throwing some cannelli beans in there for a hummus-like consistency? Hm…glad my creative chef hat is back on!
What is your summer staple? 

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Dinner, Lunch, Snack | 2 Comments »

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June 8, 2012

Sushi, Salads and Life on the CT Shoreline

…according to Instagram. 

     

Although I’m itching to start my career, there are perks being a recent grad living at home: stretching after a long jog with a view of the Long Island Sound, fresh smoothies, impromptu foodie adventures and tea dates with the fellow unemployed. Plus, living in yoga pants 24/7 makes the act of styling and dressing up in cute, professional outfits exciting again! Need I say more? Now, if only my creative cooking juices would start flowing again…

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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June 6, 2012

Yin Yoga

I’ve been a pretty bad blogger, huh? Forgive me! So much has been going on, not to mention I’ve been experiencing a lack of creativity, I guess you could say. Between Mike’s sister, Heidi, getting married this past weekend (gorgeous pictures to come!), hopeful career moves and lots of traveling in between, I’ve had my hands full. That’s why, Monday evening I decided, apprehensively, to take a friend up on a yin yoga class, known for it’s calming stillness and long poses. It was quite different than my typical power vinyasa but just what I needed for my mind, body and soul.

The 90-minute class focused on stretching connective tissues, specifically in our legs. Perfect for a runner like me! I walked away feeling revitalized, relaxed and grounded with the understanding that I need to take a break from the constant go, go, go push everyday life throws my way. I simply had to focus on “the now,” leaving any anxiety, stress or tension at the door. In the transitional period I’m currently trying to embrace, I think that’s all I could ask for. By holding each position for five minutes, I was forced to open deep space inside my body, liberating both strength and movement. As the class’ description reads, I was truly encouraged to move beyond self-limiting tendencies entrained in the mind through physical but subtle body alignments for a more balanced, yin state. I have a feeling this will be the first of many classes to come!
Have you ever practiced yin yoga?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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