Monday and Macaroons!

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had an easy and pleasant start to your week.  My Monday was pretty standard; however, I had mixed feelings about the weather. If you couldn't tell, I am very sensitive to changes in the climate! The air had that crispness to it that comes with the onset of the fall, but it was unfortunately gray and gloomy. Womp. Womp. I decided that an afternoon cup-o-joe might perk me up, but after paying  a whopping $5.18 for my double tall nonfat carmel macchiato (damn you, Starbucks!), I was served what tasted like a cup of straight carmel. It hurt my teeth. I slugged a bit of it to reap the caffeine bennies, but then disposed of my overpriced coffee. This seriously bummed me out.

Okay, enough complained from me!  I'll update you on the events of my day ( an a few from yesterday!).

Yesterday morning I walked the Brooklyn Bridge. It's something I have always wanted to do, but I  just never got around to actually planning a trip. I enjoyed everything about the experience except for the biker that shouted and almost creamed me while I was sauntering down the bike lane (oops!). . What can I say? I was lost in conversation, which come to think of it tends to happen to me quite often! :)

Last night, I wanted something sweet REALLY bad. You know when you think you might die if you don't get a piece of chocolate in your mouth? Ok, I'm being dramatic, but I really had my sweet tooth goin' on. I had no dark chocolate on hand (bummer!), so I decided to whip up a batch of raw cocoa macaroons. Brilliant. I realize in the above photo my macaroons slightly resemble little terds, but I can assure you they taste like heaven and take only 5 minutes to make from start to finish! I had a few of these little guys last night, and they totally hit the spot!

Raw Cocoa Macaroons

(adapted from Dandelions on the Wall)

1 heaping cup of unsweetened shredded coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil

5 Tbsp cocoa powder

2 Tbsp maple syrup (you should get REAL maple syrup, but I admit I used Aunt Jemima because it's what I had !)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
To Make:
Add coconut to your food processor, cover, and pulse several times to further break up the coconut.
Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and run the processor again to mix completely. Scrape down the sides if necessary.
Working quickly (coconut oil melts very rapidly in your hands!), roll the mixture into small balls and place in a dish lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate immediately, allowing the macaroons to set up, then cover and store in your fridge or freezer.Makes 10-15 macaroons, depending on size.

I hit up the farmer's market today, and I picked up a couple of gourds and a teenie weenie pumpkin :) I. Love. Fall.

I also picked up more crack apples. Chomp, chomp,chomp.These things are seriously like drugs! I spend eight bucks on five apples, and I don't think twice! Addict? I think so. :)

Before dinner,  I hit up the gym to do another circuit workout! Wheeee. I warmed up with 10 minutes on the treadmill and then I got to work. 

I found this workout on Peanut Butter Fingers, I loved this circuit. The time flew by, and I was SCHWEATY when it was over.

I followed up the cardio circuit with yet another circuit! This workout is not only quick , but I'm guessing it is quite effective judging by the fact that my arms are already sore!

After workin' it out, I made a fantastic dinner which I will share tomorrow. I'm off to relax, but check out some fun and interesting goodies below!

Something Adorable.

Enough said.

Something Fun.

Mug my green tea was served in at my sushi lunch last week.

Something Creative

Something Inspiring

Nicole Sherzinger has admitted to an 8 year battle with an eating disorder. Sherzinger, who is among the handful of celebrities who have recently come forward to share their personal struggles with disordered eating, has played an important role in shining light on the unhealthy cultural perception that thin equals beauty. It is important for us to understand that those in the public eye face an overwhelming pressure to portray an unrealistic picture of perfection. We admire this "perfection" and fail to realize that many of these  individuals resort to extreme measures to achieve this esteemed state of beauty. I find it refreshing that as of late, many in the public eye have openly rejected this unattainable and shallow measure of beauty. These admissions will hopefully help us to slowly relieve some of the pressure we put on ourselves to look the way we think we "should".  Check out this link  to read Nicole's story.

 

XO

Sarah