82 degrees please.

I promise I'm not trying to gloat. I just absolutely can't believe how beautiful it is here. I am smiling ear to ear because it's just so astoundingly beautiful.

I went for an 8 mile run this morning, and the weather was incredible. I am so used to gray skies and layers of clothing that I had to get out there. These gives me hope that spring may actually come to Utah. Maybe?
I enjoyed a protein shake for lunch when I got back from my run. 

- 1 cup of ice

- 3/4 cup skim milk

- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (I like Biochem)

- 1/2 cup blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries

- 1/2 small banana

- 1 big dash of cinnamon (this is the money maker)

Blend it all up. So very good. It rings in at about 250 calories and 25 grams of protein. 

One of my favorite things to do when I come home, one of the 50, is to bake in my mom's kitchen. She has awesome appliances, every ingredient you need, and all the good utensils. AND we cook well together. She always lets me help her, and is up for my healthy substitutions. It's awesome. My mom had tried a recipe earlier in the week for these yummy protein balls which she liked, but thought could use some tweaking. We decided to make some adjustments, and try them again. They turned out REALLY delicious, and I think they are a great treat for your kiddies.

No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Ingredients: 

2 cups of oatmeal

2 cups of brown puffed rice cereal (these are brown rice, rice krispies)

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1 cup protein powder

15 oz natural peanut butter

1/2 cup honey or agave

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions: First grind the oatmeal in a blender or food processor so it turns into an oatmeal flour, but leave a little bit of texture.

 

In a microwave save bowl combine the PB and the honey and nuke it for 20 seconds. Add the rest of the ingredients to the PB/Honey mixture and stir until well combined. It should look a lil' something like this...

Form small balls out of the mixture and voila. You are done. 

Place balls in a covered container that can be refrigerated. They don't have to be refrigerated, but they will keep better/longer that way. This recipe makes 56 balls.

The Stats: (for one ball) 96 calories, 5 grams of fat (1 of those saturated), 8.5 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, 3.7 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein.

My mom and I finished our day with some shopping, and MAN it makes me tired sometimes. It was a good tired though. I love the feeling that you've been moving and walking around all day. I am a big fan of accidental exercise like that. What is your best form of accidental exercise? I am sure lots of you chase kids all day, and THAT has got to be a workout in and of itself. Do you like cooking with your mom or anybody else? or are you a "too many cooks in the kitchen" type person.