Yes, it’s summer! And is there a better summer treat than the classic banana split?

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As you may know, Foodbuzz helped Electrolux and Kelly Ripa raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund by sending two Foodbuzz Featured Publishers to New York and giving them an opportunity to make banana splits with their kids.  (Source:  Foodbuzz, click here for more information: : http://www.kelly-confidential.com/foodbuzz.)

Foodbuzz is helping raise awareness again for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund by hosting a Top 9 Takeover.  Foodbuzz Featured Publishers, like myself, are encouraged to create their own banana splits in hopes of being featured on the daily Top  9.

As much as I love bananas I admit that I am not really a big fan of the traditional banana split.  No fear, I made over the banana split into something more my style.

Banana Split Breakfast

Don’t worry, this oatmeal bowl still has chocolate, strawberry, and banana.

1/2 cup oats

1 tsp flax meal

1/2 scoop chocolate protein

1 cup milk or water

coconut, shredded or shaved

1/2 chopped banana

2-3 chopped strawberries

small scoop of nut butter or chocolate peanut butter

*optional blueberries

Mix oats, flax meal, and milk together.  Cook as directed.  Stir in chocolate protein.  Sprinkle coconut on top.  Top with bananas, strawberries, and optional blueberries.  Stir in nut butter.  Feel free to top with a cherry.

This breakfast bowl contains all elements of a traditional banana split:  chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana,  and nuts.

Yesterday’s challenge was to Cut the Crap-I was pretty successful minus a couple handfuls of chocolate chips after dinner.  Monica over at Run Eat Repeat is also following the Cut The Crap mentality by having a Crap Free Week.  I have decided to make it a personal goal to have a Crap Free Week too!  I rarely ate sweets (besides massive amounts of berries) or processed snacks until I moved and started school–and as you all know like Pringles once you pop you can’t stop.

Crap Free Day 1

A crap free day should most definitely start with a giant bowl of oats and fruit.  Blueberries were added post-picture.

Lunch was really a salad folded into a wrap, fruit bowl, and a pickle for fun.

Dinner was leftover pizza and a salad.  I ended up eating only one of the pizza slices-it was a lot more filling than I thought.

Homemade pizza is probably one of my favorite weekend meals!  If you buy (and I do)  pre-made crust it takes about 5 minute to throw together and you have a fun takeout meal that is way healthier.

We used a Rustic Crust Whole Grain pizza crust this weekend and it was the best pizza crust I have eaten!  The best!  My pizzas are simple and loaded with veggies–spread on some pasta sauce, sprinkle Italian seasoning and black pepper, top with fresh spinach, mushrooms, optional cheese [I diced up some provolone slices we had], then sprinkle on Parmesan and bake as directed.

Prep time:  5 minutes.  Cook time:  15 minutes.  Beat that  Papa Johns!

July 13 Daily Challenge

Here is a preview of some more of the goodies up for grabs in this challenge giveaway:

Pure Soy Candles lovingly made by my parents.  Trust me these candles are great, I have them all over my apartment.  My parents are very crafty ( I did not inherit this) and sell their candles and crafts at local craft shows during the winters.  The scent is Soothing Sandalwood so it will be great in any room.

**Remember that you can start the challenge at anytime.  Just complete the daily challenge and leave a comment. At the end of the month each comment/completion will be an entry for the giveaway!

Challenge today:  Workout something you usually don’t.  If you are like me, you never target your butt so try this 5 minute butt-lift routine.

30 Second Dessert

1 Jello Mousse Temptations-Caramel Creme

1-2 small strawberries

small handful of blueberries

Run a butter knife around the edge of the Jello Mousse cup and shake it out onto a serving plate.  Slice strawberry vertically into thin slices.  Place around half or all of mousse.  Then place blueberries in between strawberry slices.  Optional to drizzle with honey or sugar free chocolate sauce.

This is definitely a perfect light summer dessert!

July 6 Daily Challenge

Circuit Time!  20 Jumping Jacks, 10 push-ups, 5 suicide jumps a la Insanity (Click here and look at box 6 for demo). Repeat circuit 3 times!  Yep, today is definitely a challenge!

**Remember, you can join the July Daily Challenge anytime!  Just complete the daily challenge and leave me a comment.  At the end of the month you get one entry for every day completed.  There will be a great giveaway including a magazine subscription of your choice!**

Red, White, and Blue Oats

1/3 cup oat/bran mixture

2 tsp ground flax

1/2 scoop BSN Lean Dessert Protein-Fresh Cinnamon

banana

blueberries

1 large strawberries

optional coconut

Place oats and flax meal into bowl, add desired water, and microwaved two minutes.  Stir in protein powder.  Dice up your fruit.  Option to add layer of shredded coconut on top first.  Then arrange banana, blueberries, and strawberries into 3 rows.  Enjoy before July 4th!

This morning I wake up and it is beautiful out!  A storm came through last night so there is not much humidity and a slight breeze.  Of course this beautiful weather would be the day after National Running Day.  Oh well.

Breakfast was routine and delicious.

Dinner last night was also delicious!  Jordan was jealous that he had already made himself wings after he saw my plate.

This was actually a stir-fry that I had frozen ahead of time with a side of cinnamon-glazed carrots.

Broccoli Stir-fry

4 cups + fresh broccoli

small container or 10 button mushrooms

1 can pineapple chunks

Light sodium teriyaki sauce

Light soy sauce

In large pan heat small amount of oil then add broccoli and diced mushrooms.  When vegetables are about halfway done, drain and add can of pineapple chunks.  Add desired amount of teriyaki sauce and about 1 tsp of soy sauce.  Mix well and let cook additional 3-5 minutes tossing.  Serve with brown rice. Makes 2-3 servings (More if you eat normal portions of veggies, which I don’t).

Do you ever make meals ahead of time to freeze?

I should start doing it more often because it was so easy to reheat and have a nice dinner!

Jordan and I might have sat on the couch and ate this entire container while watching Parks and Recreation.  Just maybe.

If you feel like indulging in a little blt healthier treat I have a really yummy I Can’t Believe This Isn’t a Milkshake Recipe for you.  (Excuse the photos lately, we have a couple of light bulbs burnt out and I haven’t called maintenance yet)

I Can’t Believe This Isn’t a Milkshake–Chocolate Coconut Shake

1 frozen banana

1 scoop BSN Lean Dessert Chocolate protein

1 tsp hot chocolate mix

1 tsp ground flax meal

1 cup soy milk

2 Tbsp shredded coconut

Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.  Make sure you test it to ensure all the coconut is processed.  Pour into a fun glass, grab a seat at a picnic table and  enjoy!

Hungry Girl Inspired Fettuccine Alfredo

This recipe is inspired by Hungry Girl’s Fettucine Alredo recipe.  I use the Tofu Shirtaki noodles and Laughing Cow,then do my own thing.  I  add a good amount of veggies because I never eat pasta without veggies.

1 bag Tofu Shirtaki Noodles-Fettuccine shape

2 wedges Swiss Laughing Cow

3 Tbsp + Parmesan Cheese

Almond milk or soy milk-original

Italian seasoning

Garlic seasoning mix

Black pepper

mushrooms

spinach

Prepare noodles as directed on package. In small pan saute chopped mushrooms and spinach.  ( I used frozen spinach because that is all I had).  Once vegetables are mostly done add in 2 wedges of Laughing cow, splash of milk, and 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese.  Stir constantly while the cheese melts and sauce starts to form.  Optional to add teaspoon of Smart Balance.  Stir and add more milk/water if needed.  Once sauce is melted add in all seasonings and stir.  Then add in noodles, toss well, and let simmer 5 minutes.

I served my Inspired Fettucine Alfredo with toasted sandwich thins.

I made it through 1 1/2 Insanity sessions today.  I consider it good enough.  I am going to have a quick protein shake then hit the hay.  This girl may have not done any of her homework today and thus have to get up super early tomorrow morning!

Before I get to my recipe for seriously delicious oats I will show you my latest salad monster creation.

Yes, I eat my salad monsters in a casserole dish because I like having the sides to stop falling food.  Don’t judge.  My new favorite salad monster includes half a Boca burger chopped up, lots of mushrooms, 2 scoop hummus, carrots, and croutons.

I got to enjoy my dinner with flowers on my coffee table.  My first grade of the semester came through and it was an A!!!!!!!!!  Jordan surprised me with congratulatory flowers.

After dinner and Insanity it was time to ice the leg and pass out.  One day of summer session down and I am exhausted, have to recite both Tuesday and Thursday,  and my apartment looks like a tornado hit it.

Banana Split Oats

I just realized these pictures are fairly terrible, but the oats are amazing!

1/3 cup Bob’s Mill 5 grain cereal, or oats of your choice

2/3 cup water

1 tsp flax meal

1/2 scoop BSN Lean Dessert Chocolate Pudding protein powder

splash or two of soymilk

shredded cocunut

strawberries

half a banna

Prepare the cereal as directed with water and 1 tsp flax meal.  Once cooked stir scoop of protein powder and splash of soymilk.  You want just a tad thinner consistency than you usually eat because the coconut shreds will soak up some of the liquid.  After the protein is mixed it is optional to heat for additional 30 secs in microwave-if it has gotten cold.  Top oats with shredded coconut, diced strawberries, and sliced banana.  Stir and enjoy a sweet breakfast treat!

Optional to serve these oats in the “Good Morning Gorgeous” mug.

Isn’t that really what life is all about?

Friday I ran over to Central Market aka the best store ever!  I picked up this tomato, mozz, and pesto sandwich.

I had half this ginormous sandwich and the classic carrot and hummus side dish.

The 20 pounds of fruit I bought at Sams has been my favorite snack!

Friday night dinner was pretty great:  some tropical oats. I also had some unpictured toast with sweet potato butter (so good!)

Today, after my 20 mile bike ride I needed to fuel!  I had the other half of my sandwich,  carrots, hummus, and veggie straws.

Because I like to eat dessert with lunch I had some more fresh berries with a fake chocolate sauce.

Fake Chocolate Sauce

3/4 scoop BSN Lean Dessert Protein-Chocolate Pudding

1/2 tsp ground flax

almond milk

Mix together adding enough almond milk/soy milk to make sauce consistency.  Drizzle over fresh fruit.

The hubby and I split some Sam’s sushi for dinner.  After letting that settle we got ready for Insanity.

Somehow I came home with 4 Bacardi sweatbands after Thursday’s birthday shenanigans.  You better believe I wore my Bacardi promotional sweatbands to do Insanity.  I needed them.

After Insanity…and a shower… I enjoyed a Gatorade mocktail and am about to get started on the TBS Sex and the City Marathon.

How has your weekend been?  Any great food or exercise?

Someone…me…might have had a little too much fun last night.

In college after a rough start to the weekend I would have waken up, crawled to McD’s and gotten some nice greasy hashbrowns, then came home and taken a jello shot.

Today, about two margaritas puts me over the edge and I feel like crap in the morning.  Let me give you my hangover cures:

• Get up and drink some water.  Obviously.  Don’t chug it, just drink a little bit to get started, preferably room temperature.
• Move around.  I used to be able to hit the gym for a hardcore session and sweat out my alcohol, now I like to  take Trooper for a walk around the block for fresh air and stomach settling time.
• Eat.  I know that the thought of food probably makes your stomach hurl, but eating will make it better.  I always make up two pieces of plain buttered toast to start.
• Don’t overdo it today.  Face it, your body hates you today.  It is reminding you that you aren’t 21 anymore.  (Ugh)  Try to get in some movement, but don’t plan on doing a 40 min HIIT today.

Since I am not within crawling distance to a McD’s, I whipped up my own Hangover Breakfast.  Eat this after your have gotten down a piece of toast.

Hangover Breakfast wrap