Hey guys! How are you? Today has been a pretty specatcular Thursday thus far: I’ve been featured on Tastespotting for my Sweet Potato Orzo & Fruit Salad, the brownies I made last night were a HUGE hit (I would know, I ate 3!), and oh, I don’t know, I RAN A MILE TODAY WITH NO PAIN! That last one might not seem like a huge deal to anyone else, but if you’ve been following along you know this is a big deal to me. I’m smiling like this right now —> 😀
So yes, 3 brownies, and an endless number of crumbs have been consumed today thanks in part to Jessica. Now, I only used the frosting recipe because I found a really great fudgy brownie recipe that works really well at high altitude (it’s based on this recipe, but I’ve made a couple of changes); however, the frosting makes these! Just check it out:
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 tsp instant coffee
- 1/2-1 cup chocolate chips or chopped bittersweet chocolate
Combine all of the wet ingredients (butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and water) until smooth. Add all of the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and instant coffee) and stir until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350.
That, my friends, is what’s known as “the perfect icing-to-brownie-ratio.” SO incredibly rich and moist!
Let’s just say it’s a darn good thing I had a healthful lunch planned! Wandering the soup isle the other day I came across this bad johnny:
I figured it couldn’t be that bad since most canned tomato soups are pretty good. I will say the ingredient list isn’t the best thing I’ve ever read, but it’s still MUCH better than the chicken-flavored Top Ramen I was considering! It was creamy and didn’t taste like canned soup; however, it did start getting really sweet in a weird way towards the end, at which point I stopped eating it. Served with some roasted brussels sprouts:
Seriously, brussels sprouts are some of my favorite veggies ever, but methinks their season is passing because these weren’t the best I’ve ever had. They sure do look pretty though!
And a little artsy shot of the soup:
The afternoon drug on a little bit, but I was feeling pretty good when it came time to go on my walk. So good in fact that I decided to try a little running just to see what it felt like. So, as you can see on my newly-formed official workout page, I was planning on doing 2 minutes of jogging and 3 minutes of walking. I did that for about 25 minutes, but it felt SO GOOD that I decided to see if I could run a mile. The whole time I was mentally checking myself to make sure that if I felt the slightest bit of pain I would stop. Y’all, there was no pain. I was so excited that when I told Nate I started to cry! [Side note: I’m pretty emotional and cry when I’m happy/angry/sad/annoyed/tired/sick/frustrated] I know that tomorrow is definitely a day that I’m going to need to take to rest, but I was just so excited. The more I think about it, the more I miss running. I don’t really care if I ever run a race, but I do miss being able to just go out and jog for fun. I’m hoping those days are coming back!
What’s your favorite way to celebrate success with something? Do you go out with friends/family? Stay at home and reward yourself with some rest? I’m not sure what we’re doing tonight, but I want to do something fun to celebrate my mile. I am typically a homebody, but I think it could be fun to go out! Just trusting my body enough to actually do it was a big step, and the fact that I completed it is even bigger. I’m thinking a movie with friends? Or maybe a bubble bath? The possibilities are endless!
I love how there is just as much frosting as there is brownie! They look to die for!
Great job on the walking, I just started walking myself and my goal is to run a 5k at the local festival in 2011. Also started a water toning class, since I am terrified of the water, it is a huge step. I reward myself with little treats…all healthy of course.
Keep up the great work, you can do it!
Great job! I just started a water toning class and walking. Since I am terrified of the water, I find it a huge accomplishment that I have only missed 1 of 12 classes so far! The walking is another milestone for me…I am a homebody as well but there is something so fulfilling about making it a mile, then adding a little more until I made it four! Still working on getting to ten but I am at a great pace so far.
I have also decided to get my degree…start classes in August so I have a lot of personal work to do before then and I have to tightly schedule my workouts with family, class, work and cooking healthy meals every night.
Will be posting some healthy recipes shortly, I find it is easier to ‘health up’ an existing recipe that I love than just take it off my list.
Keep up the walking, my goal is to run a 5k next year…:-)
Yay girl that’s great news about your mile!! I definitely know how you feel! I used to be able to run fairly easily and now I’m anemic and can barely run/jog for 2 minutes without being out of breath. I’ve been alternating jogging with running for 1 lap around my gyms indoor track.
And the brownies look deliciouussssss!!! <3
Oooh those brownies look divine!
Yay for your pain-less run! Also, those brownies look totally amazing. I am in love. We finished all of your strawberry jam today–it’s a sad day in our household!
Hey Heather! Way to go sista!! I cried just reading about your victory!! I’m emotional too. How about a bubble bath with the hubs…….Heehee 😉
It seems like a huge deal to me, girlfriend!! Any accomplishment associated with running is reason to celebrate because it’s so tough! And, I completely lol’ed at your “bad Johnny” comment because I say “bad Larry” all the time on my blog! Wonder if Johnny and Larry are cousins?!? 😉
I love to go out to dinner with my hubby to celebrate.
congrats!
Sounds like a red letter day!!! Congrats!!!
Yay!!! Definitely worthy of a celebration!
I love your cute blue plate, by the way!
Congrats on it all! That does sound like a great day. And how amazing to accomplish something you have been waiting to be able to do again for awhile. 🙂 Have fun with whatever you decide to do to celebrate.
I saw you tweeted about tastespotting and I am so happy for you! I need to try submitting something but I submitted something a while back and got rejected.
Also, about Shivea Rea, I have never done any of her yoga but I have heard she is awesome but pretty advanced and that her style is very dance like and hard to follow along if you aren’t familiar. I’m sorry you did not like it, have you been practicing a long time?
Congrats!!! My gut emotional reaction for everything is tears too but tears of joy are the best! You could celebrate with a brownie?? Those look amazing. I love to go out to celebrate but I’m always wanting to do that 🙂
Congrats on your run!
And the brownies look yumilicious!! 😀
So great you didn’t have pain!! That makes me sooo happy!! I love telling people and getting more people to celebrate with. 🙂 I love going out to dinner to celebrate!
Yay yay yay! Congratulations on being pain free!
A) Love your blog
B) Love your layout 😉
C) Love your FOOD
D) OBSESSED with your camera/pictures.
I need a new one, and I want a “fancy blogger camera” hahaha, what is it?!? Would you recommend it, and is it going to break my bank?
PS your comment to me made my night. You rock!
WOW great job girl! that is so amazing-i am soo happy for you!!
to celebrate-low key..froyo..bubble bath..tv..etc!! 🙂
i made brussels today too!