Bearded Brothers Review - New Flavor - Radical Raspberry Lemon

It should be clear by now that I am a big supporter of Bearded Brothers. They kindly asked me to try out their new flavor - Radical Raspberry Lemon. All I have to say is YUM.

I am a texture eater. The texture of Bearded Brothers energy snack bars are always out of this world...and I am picky. The texture of the new bars is just as good as the other fabulous flavors that Bearded Bros carry. The flavor is light and even delicate. It feels bright and refreshing, which is a weird way to describe the flavor of a snack bar but that is accurate for this particular lemony, raspberry snack. 

Radical Rasberry Lemon is a great pre or post-workout pick-me-up. I like to have one of the bars for breakfast and it keeps me going until lunch time. If you haven't had the opportunity to try out Bearded Brothers bars, do it today! They have generously offered a 40% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday discount with the code: blackcyber. They make WONDERFUL stocking stuffers, too - so stock up! I did - I bought a case today! Shop HERE.

I will be giving away a four pack of Bearded Brothers Energy Bars, including two of the new flavor. Enter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving & Super-simple Cranberry Pie

Just like the rest of you, I am busy getting ready for the best holiday of the year - THANKSGIVING! I just came from the grocery store for a few last minute items and it was an absolute zoo in there. I love it. :) Hustle. Bustle. All of that makes me happy.

My mom is a wonderful person and she insists that we don't bring anything to my family's very intimate, little Thanksgiving party. She would rather work for a few days and make everything herself so we can just relax and enjoy ourselves. Moms are the best. But - I can't show up empty-handed, so I will be bringing this very simple and very yummy Cranberry Pie. If you are not sure what to bring, this is always a hit - especially if you like the tartness of cranberries. 

Cranberry Pie - photo credit to inspirednutmeg.blogspot.com

I hope you all have happy, wonderful, heart-warming and safe holidays with your friends and families. I am thankful for you all. I am thankful for a year that was full of new experiences, challenges and growth. I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. I am thankful for my job and all the people I get to know throughout the school year. I am thankful for my little pup who makes me endlessly happy. I am thankful for lots and lots. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Pie

1 1/2 C  fresh Cranberries

1/4 C Brown Sugar

3/4 C chopped Pecans or Walnuts (or mix!)

1 Egg

1/2 C Sugar

1/2 C Flour

1/3 C Butter or Margarine, melted

 

*You can use a pre-made pie crust if you want it to be more traditionally pie-like, but I usually put it all straight into a pie pan.

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.  Grease a 9" pie pan.  Layer cranberries on bottom of pie plate.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and nuts.  Beat egg in a medium mixing bowl until thick.  Gradually add sugar, beating until thoroughly blended.  Stir in flour and melted butter.  Blend well.  Pour mixture over cranberries.  Bake 45 minutes.

 

That's it.  So easy and soooo good! 

 

Bliss in the Absence of Training

The last couple weeks have been wonderful. Fabulous. Fun.

It took a little longer than I'd hoped for my legs to recuperate after the marathon, but I'd say they are about 95% right now. That is reason enough to celebrate, but the reason why I'm feeling particularly happy with my fitness right now is that I AM NOT IN A TRAINING CYCLE. For a short window of time between cycles, I can run when I want (if I want.) I can go for as long as I want. I can do other things. I am not stuck to the regimentation of a schedule. I am not obligated to torture myself if the weather is garbage. It is a stress-free, easy-going kind of life that I really needed.

Don't get me wrong: I love training. In a way, I need it to give my left-brained, Type-A mind the structure it demands. I am extremely neurotic, so training is my calm, my zen, my logical, linear lifestyle that never fails me. 90% of the time - I need that.

For the other 10%, I can stand to let loosen up a bit. Doing so allows me to enjoy the non-running parts of my life a little bit more:
- I love that I have more time to cook. 
- I can justify hanging out with friends more often.
- I can sleep in on the weekend without guilt.
- I can spend more time just being quiet at home. Watch a movie. Read a book. Give my puppy kisses. Play in the garden. Etc.

You get the point. One thing that takes up a lot of my time during this part of the year is preparation for Hover Craft - an art/craft show here in Milwaukee. I have so much fun exercising the creative part of my brain. I've been busy working on some new PaperMichelle designs - not sure why I've taken the puns in a hip-hop direction this year, but I like it. I laugh at my own humor more than is socially acceptable.

Get it? Papa Wheelie?! I'm so punny.

You know this is funny. If you don't get it, we aren't friends.

Not done yet. "At Christmas, we're all hardcore WRAPPERS!" haha

So - I'll be occupied with stationery and bad jokes until December 8th for the show. My cycle for Boston will start up after that - when I am in Carlsbad, California for work for three days. I've never spent time in California before, so I am really excited to get to run along the Pacific Coast in mild December weather. Lots to look forward to in the next couple months, but for right now, I am savoring the break.