Well, I can’t believe I finally (almost) made it through my first week of my junior year of college! I can already tell this semester will be busy and challenging, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve been getting used to a lot of big changes, like the daily commute to classes (which usually takes way longer than it should) and keeping my apartment clean but I’m starting to feel like an adult and it feels so good!
After my first day of classes on Monday, I treated myself to a passion iced tea from Starbucks (much needed, that’s for sure!) and I promised myself last weekend that if I made it through a whole week of classes and extracurriculars, I could treat myself to some Whole Foods salad bar goodies. So you better believe I’m doing that tonight for dinner 😀
Favorite Recipe Redux: Peppermint Super Brownie Bites
Not the most appetizing picture, but I can guarantee it tastes amazing!
I’ve been doing some recipe experimenting here and there when I’ve had time after classes. I made a few things that turned out delicious but not quite perfect. Then I stumbled upon an idea, combining both my raw brownie recipe and Angela’s no bake peppermint patty bars (which are fab, BTW). I wanted something small, cute, chocolate-y and minty without being too overwhelming. That’s where the super brownie bites come in! They’re almond and walnut based, like my raw brownies, so they add a protein and healthy fat punch and are grain-free. I added in a packet of chocolate Amazing Grass, which adds 10 grams of protein, along with tons of greens. They’re sweetened with a few dates and just a little real maple syrup, so they’re perfectly sweet. The chocolate icing on top is made from dark chocolate chips and coconut oil, both healthy fats. But the result is a delicious, minty brownie bite that tastes almost unhealthy!
Peppermint Super Brownie Bites (vegan, gluten-free)
2 packages 100 calorie almonds and walnuts
1 packet chocolate-flavored Amazing Grass protein powder
3 small Medjool dates
1 tbsp dark cocoa powder
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
3 tbsp vegan chocolate chips
1/2 tsp coconut oil
In a food processor, process nuts, Amazing Grass, dates and cocoa powder until crumbly. Add in maple syrup and 1/4 tsp peppermint extract until mixture sticks together. Roll brownie batter into small balls and place in mini muffin tin or on foil. Meanwhile, in a small pot over low heat, stir together remaining peppermint extract, chocolate chips and coconut oil until chocolate gets melty. Spoon icing over each bite and stick muffin tin or foil in freezer to set. Makes 8 bites.
Favorite Moment: First time as a weather anchor
The local female weather anchor I look up to…maybe I’ll be like her one day?!
I hate to brag and pretend like I’m super awesome, because that’s just not who I am, but I’ve been working on owning my accomplishments and being more confident, so being complimented for how I handled my first night as a weather anchor at my campus TV station was thrilling for me. It was a practice run through, so it wasn’t aired, but I completely ad-libbed for about a minute, not even knowing much about the weather forecast, and my producer and fellow anchors congratulated me afterwards for how well I did and how they couldn’t imagine ad-libbing for an entire segment. It gave me so much confidence for the semester to come!
Favorite Thing I’m Looking Forward To: Whole Foods salad bar
One of my favorite Whole Foods hot/cold bar boxes to date!
It’s a little lame, but I get really excited for grocery shopping, particularly at Whole Foods. I could live there and be totally happy! When I first discovered the salad bars a year ago, I became hooked and even though I didn’t get it again for another 6 months, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. This summer, I went a little more frequently and tried to switch it up every time. The Whole Foods in my hometown (well, one of them) has a great selection of items at the hot and cold bars and I’m hoping the one in my college town does too!
Favorite Time of Day: Driving to class
Disclaimer: I did NOT take this while driving!
Don’t get me wrong, it is stressful trying to get to class on time while also avoiding cyclists, pedestrians and other cars that are going wayyyyyy too fast and also trying to find parking that isn’t miles away. But it also makes me happy, because I haven’t driven regularly since senior year of high school. In fact, before this summer and my internship, I barely ever drove in the past 2 1/2 years. I actually really love driving alone, because I can blast my music, sing along and just get ready for the day ahead. I feel so much more independent and responsible–Alejandro is my baby and I want to keep him safe 😉
Do you like to ‘healthify’ your desserts (whatever that means to you)? Do you prefer city driving or freeway driving?
I used to love driving, totally cleared my head. Glad you are getting through this week!
Same for me, I can focus more on the day when I’m driving!
Yay for driving to class :). I gotta say that was one thing I liked about college, having my car so that I could get around and go places. I walked to class since it was so close, but it’s neat to have a car for things like errands and stuff. Glad you’re able to make grocery trips, go out to eat if you want, etc now!
I wish I lived a little closer to campus so I could walk–it would probably take 45 minutes to get to classes! That’s the only thing I really miss from living on campus.
That brownie dish looks super awesome! And I love treating myself to things after a long day/week of work. Lately I’ve been treating myself to bars/greek yogurts from trader joe’s, but since WF is opening up next month near my campus, I’ll probably have to check out their salad bar and see what all the fuss is about :P!
You will LOVE the salad bar, seriously! I would eat there all the time if my wallet could keep up with it 😉
Man I could live in Whole Foods too and be perfectly fine! 😀 That hot bar is just too amazing haha
That brownie recipe you made looks amazing and yay for driving to class and being able to get around town more!! I love that freedom of not living on campus too 😀
Have a great weekend!!
I love just being able to drive around wherever…and of course to Whole Foods 😛
I love driving on my own. Seriously,when I got my license,I thought I could never do that because I was faaaar to scared of being all alone in the car and oh my god,what could happen…. I imagined horror sceneries,but now that I have my own car,it’s like… freedom. So cool!
I’m super happy you got so much credit for your first weather report-thingie,that’s awesome! 🙂
And you also look adorable in that photo,really… You’re definitely one of the prettiest girls I know,Ashley,no lying!
Awww Kat, you always make my day with your sweet comments, I can’t thank you enough! And I love your new picture by your name on comments, you look so pretty!
So awesome you can drive to college! It’s not really common to do that here, here in the netherlands we go everywhere by bike 🙂
And you look pretty in that picture!
♥
I wish it was safer to ride my bike all over the place, I always have fun riding it!
Hooray for getting through the first week! Great job doing the ad-libbing! I fail at that. I had to do that in a play in 8th grade because we were short mics and had to pin one onto someone super fast but they were always late. I was Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. and had to wait for Rooster and Liily to come out and randomly talked about buying an air plane with the money I could get for pretending to be Annie’s parents.
Also, your photo is adorable. Have fun at Whole Foods tonight!
That’s awesome that you got to do that though–ad-libbing is hard but it’s really good to get experience doing it! And I love Annie, I was in a version of it once as one of the orphans, but Miss Hannigan is definitely the best part in the show!
Great job on getting through the first week… it’s only going to get better and more fun from here 🙂 But watch out, the year goes by suppaaa fast
Yay for driving to school! I did that often especially my senior year, and it was pretty scary with everyone walking around… and yes, the cyclists made me nervous!
I love WF and go to the one near me just so often, it’s pretty embarrassing lol, enjoy your time there!
I have a feeling I’ll be spending waaaaaaay too much time at WF now 😉
Congratulations on your amazing first weather-girl experience. You should definitely be proud of yourself! Thinking on your toes and being able to handle anything that’s thrown at you is SO important- especially in the entertainment industry- and it sounds like you’re a natural. (:
Your brownie bites sound delicious! I actually just had a Peppermint Stick Luna Bar today and now I’m craving mint & chocolate like crazy. I’m definitely going to try your recipe. And I feel the same way about WF- I’m like a kid in a candy store when I go grocery shopping there!
Thanks! I actually really enjoy ad-libbing because it makes me think about what I’m really saying!
I’ve actually really been wanting that Luna bar flavor lately, I had it once a long time ago and now that I’m on a mint chocolate kick I need it back in my life!
That’s awesome you’re feeling more confident and progressing in your anchoring! Good luck to you! 🙂
Thank you!