What I'm Loving Lately II

1. Every single moment that I get to cuddle with my little man. Finley likes to be on the move (or at least free to move), so I cherish every opportunity that he'll lay in my lap or falls asleep on my chest. I have a feeling that these are going to start becoming few and far between.

2. What They Don't Tell you About Motherhood. Some of these points are certainly interesting and very true. When you're pregnant, everyone tells you all the positive things about motherhood, but no one tells you how challenging and stressful it can be at times. I love Finley to death, but he has certainly given me a whole new bucket of worries.


3. Brighton Jogger from Fabletics in black. These pants are super lightweight and comfy, but I don't find they necessarily look like "work-out" pants —win-win! I just got this outfit from Fabletics for $25.00 plus shipping :)

4. These Gluten-free Morning Glory Muffins. I've been eating one every night after Finley goes to sleep. They're healthy, flavourful, and jam-packed full of nutrients.

5. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I'm SO into this book right now that I have my nose in it every spare moment I have. I also really enjoyed her latest book, My Husband's Secret. 

6. Kayla Itsines's Bikini Body Guide. I just finished Week 1 of this program and it's no joke. Initially when I looked at the workouts I thought they would be relatively easy to get through, but boy was I wrong! 28 minutes of sweat-dripping torture. 

7. Why Fat Shaming Doesn't Promote Health and What you can do Instead.

8. "I Quit Sugar... and Nothing Happened"

Gluten-free Morning Glory Muffins

Last week, I made some gluten-free Morning Glory muffins for the Farmer's Market using an all-purpose gluten-free flour. They were excellent for gluten-free muffins... they really held together nicely.

Personally, I'd prefer not to use any form of flour in my muffins (or sugar), so I experimented a bit this week and came up with a flourless morning glory muffin that I really like (also there is no white or brown sugar in them). The muffin is quite dense, but very moist and flavourful.

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter)
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 egg
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten-free)
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
1 Tbsp chia seed
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/4 cup grated carrots
1 cup grated apple (I used a Gala apple)
1/3 cup walnuts
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes


Preheat the over to 375 degrees F. Prepare a muffin tin with 8 muffin liners.

In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, mix together the almond butter, egg, honey, rolled oats, ground flaxseed, chia seed, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger.

Fold in the grated carrots, grated apple, walnuts, raisins, and coconut flakes.

Pour batter into the prepared muffin tin (I filled each muffin cavity full) and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops of the muffins are set and/or a toothpick comes out fairly clean.

Enjoy with butter (or more nut butter if you're like me ;))!!

A Running Survey

I got this fun little survey idea from The Hungry Runner Girl. Feel free to copy and paste the questions and your answers into the comments box of this post!

Ps. My foot is on the mend. I got my new sneakers in the mail yesterday and I went for a longish run on the treadmill this morning. YAY! This makes me verrrrry happy :)

1.  Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail? On a mountain trail... running in the sand is 10 x more difficult for me.

2.  If you could choose the flavor of gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be? I'm not a big gatorade fun, but I'd have to go with a lemon-lime flavour. I always love citrus infused drinks! My go-to choice would be water with fresh squeezed lemon.

3.  If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it? I'd put the money towards a fitness tracker. I haven't bought one... yet, but it's on my list of "wants".

4.  Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run? To be honest, I like to follow a training plan because I tend to overdo it if I don't (hence the recent foot injury).

5.  Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill? I would 100% rather start my run with the uphill and end on the downhill —this rarely seems to happen though. 

6.  When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do? I mix-it up a lot. I do a lot more strength training and core work along with some form of cardio. Recently, my go-to cardio machine has been the elliptical. I used to think the elliptical was pure torture, but the more I use it, the less painful and mind-numbing it becomes. It also helps if I have a good podcast to listen to or a magazine to read/look it. 

7.  What is your preference—>  Out and back, point to point or loop runs? Point to point or loop runs. I absolutely hate out and back runs. I need change of scenery on my runs... somehow it makes the run go faster/seem easier.

8.  If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, it would be a—> Good pair of sneakers that are light but have support. 

9.  Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs? haha Since moving to Newfoundland last month, I have seen a moose on the side of the road (on a very early morning run). Luckily a lady hauled over and warned me before I got to it or else I would have pooped my pants!

10.  Ever gotten lost while out on a run? Um. Yes. When we travel, I like exploring cities by going for runs. Sometimes I just end up running in circles haha On my first run in Grand Falls-Windsor, I thought I would be brave and venture over to Windsor ("the other side of the tracks") and I totally got lost. 10 miles later, I made it home haha

11.  If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days… what would that meal be? This one is tough. I honestly think I would go with a big smoothie and toast with peanut butter. I know, boring, right? It just hits the spot every. single. time. 

12.  Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often? Shorts unless it's cold outside.

13.  At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go? Unfortunately, this doesn't happen until mile 3 or 4 for me. The first two miles are always the hardest. 

14.  What do you do with your key when you run? I put it in the little zipper pocket in my shorts or capris. Usually, I don't have to take one though.

15.  If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be? My first bluenose half marathon. It was great weather and so many people were on-course, cheering. 

16.  What type of run is your least favorite type of run? Short fast runs or tempo runs.

17.  What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on? Well, I haven't been running outside much lately, but typically the sun and fresh air gets me out the door pretty quickly. Running is just a nice "break" for me, so it's not too hard for me to get motivated to go, especially if it's nice outside. 

18.  When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start? I almost always leave right from our front door. 

19.  When running in daylight—>  are sunglasses a must or an annoyance? I find they are an annoyance. Mine always end up slipping down my nose, so I run sans sunglasses. Ball caps are a good substitute though ;)

20.  When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting? Breaking down the rest of the run into smaller achievable steps! Like if I have 3 miles left, I'll break into down into 6 x 0.5 miles. Running can be a bit of a mental game you play with yourself. 

Have a great weekend!!

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-free)

This is a great gluten-free cookie recipe. Usually gluten-free cookies are dry and crumbly, but these are super moist, chewy, and delicious (they have a similar texture to my Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies). Honestly, you won't even miss the flour. PLUS, these babies are JAM-packed full of chocolatey goodness.

Give them a try!


Here's what you'll need:

1/2 cup salted butter, softened (or coconut oil, melted)
1/2 brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together the butter/coconut oil and the brown and white sugars. Add in the egg and vanilla, and mix until combined. Add in the baking soda and cocoa powder until everything is combined. Stir in the white and milk chocolate chips.

Form one inch balls of cookie dough and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

*This recipe makes about a dozen cookies.

Super Easy One-Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Yesterday, I made this One-Pot Cheeseburger Casserole from Damn Delicious. I never tried it, but both Dan and his dad really enjoyed it. Apparently, it tastes like a cheeseburger in one big casserole (the pasta is like a substitute for the burger buns!).

I liked the fact that it only dirtied one pot, which made prep. and clean-up super easy. It also makes A LOT of casserole and requires very few ingredients. 

After I made it on the stovetop, I pour it into two medium casserole dishes, sprinkled it with cheese and chopped Roma tomatoes, then baked it in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. In hindsight, I probably would have added chopped pickles to the top too!

Our Weekend in Photos

My table at the Farmer's Market on Saturday.

Morning coffee and snuggles on Father's Day.

A late morning hike with my boys. 

One-pot Cheeseburger Casserole. 

Fun Facts Friday

Hi Everyone! I thought I'd try one of these fun facts Friday posts, so I hope you find it interesting. It's mostly just a mash-up of random thoughts though haha

1. I have a table at the Farmer's Market in Grand Falls-Windsor, which I'm stoked about. I will admit that more time went into preparing for this event than I ever imagined. For some reason, I never thought I'd get tired of baking... haha Well, that time has come. Oh well, I think it's going to be fun and I'm super excited to be participating tomorrow :)

2. I finally have a gluten-free muffin recipe that tastes great, doesn't crumble, and is low in sugar. I have 25 ready to be sold at the market tomorrow, but I will post the recipe for these bad boys on the blog next week!

3. I also found an amazing gluten-free triple (yes, TRIPLE) chocolate cookie recipe that's amazing.

4. This morning, I went into Walmart with Finley to get ribbon, and came out with ribbon —plus this toy. I couldn't resist. He held onto it the whole way around the store and cried when the cashier had to take it to ring it through. Isn't he too young for this?!

5. I'm still going strong on my smoothie kick. I've been using this recipe (Cherry Banana Green Smoothie) most of the week, but today, I switched it up a bit and added in a few frozen mango chunks instead of banana. Oh man, I think this is going to be a new favourite combo. for me (the photo may not look appetizing but it was goooooooood).

6. I ran for thirty minutes straight on the treadmill today. It's nothing like the distances I was running, but maybe my foot is getting better? Ice, ice, baby. I'm still waiting on those sneakers though...

7. Finley made his first work of art with cherry juice. We call it 'Cherry Squeeze'.

8. My free NatureBox sample came in the mail today. I'm excited to try out some of the treats. In my package was jalapeño cashews, sweet blueberry almonds, masa crackers, cranberry medley, and dark cocoa nom noms. Go to to NatureBox get your free sample box!

9. I think we found a great group of friendly active people here in Grand Falls. I dropped into a Fundamentals for a realllll sweaty and awesome fitness class this week, and the owners are super nice. They offer a TON of great fitness classes with lots of variety, and they even have running and road/mountain biking groups! We're excited to try out some classes over the summer months.

10. Double Americanos are getting me through this week.

11. Finley and I are excited to celebrate Dan's first Father's Day this weekend :)

Father's Day Photoshoot With my Little Man...

This afternoon, Finley and I packed up a little bag and went down to the Grand Falls house property for a little photoshoot. I haven't had a chance to take any outdoor photos with our little man yet and I wanted to surprise Dan with an album and some prints for Father's Day. All in all, Finley and I had a great time playing around in the grass and I feel like I got some cute shots! Finley narrated this blog post... haha

"Let's get this thing started mom..."

"Give me a little time mom... I'm a bit camera shy."

"Mommy... what is this stuff that I'm sitting on... yuck."

"Haha I guess it can be fun if you say so."

"Oh, you just crack me up."

"This is WAY too much fun."

"Just chilling with my bunny, Buster."

"I think I'll rub your ears and then we can cuddle."

"I love you, Buster."

"Don't even think you're coming over here near my bunny."

"I'm starting to get hungry. MA... did you bring any food?!"

"I'm SOOOO hungry... I could eat a rabbit."

"NEED. FOOD. NOW."

"Ugh. Okay. I'll pose for a few more shots if we can eat after."

"There you go, mom. There's that smile you wanted."

"I'm hungry. I gave you the smile. Are we done yet?!"

"A few more? Okay then... left profile flash."

"Right profile."

"I'm workin' it, mom..."

"Oooooh... what's this green stuff. It's like your hair... I can pull it."

"Oh. A stick. What's this do?"

"Mm. I think I'll see what it tastes like and go from there... Have I mentioned that I'm starvvvvving?!"

"Hm. Not bad."

"Round two."

"Seriously mom... a hat change?! You crazy!"

"I'm SO excited. I can play with TOYS now!!!"

"Oh. A twig."

"I'm definitely going to eat this now."

The end.