Good Morning!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Waffle Wednesdays so far. How about a {vegan} mid-week recipe? I wrote this recipe ages ago, but didn’t put it to the test until Monday with inspiration via my pink KitchenAid and a clean, new muffin tin. #itsthelittlethings

See my RECIpage for the full recipe!

This recipe was inspired by my Apricot Almond Quinoa Muffins. Both are fabulous and fabulous for you – just check out the ingredient lists!

Note: Any liquid sweetener should substitute just fine, i.e. maple syrup, honey, or agave.

Have a happy & healthy Hump Day!

See you soon, friends :)

Hill

Hey friends! Hope you are having an enjoyable, extended holiday weekend. I can certainly get used to this absence of homework and studying thing. Freedom, ahh.

I wanted to pop in tonight to let ya’ll know that I’ve finally jumped on the Facebook bandwagon in regards to the ol’ blog.

If you’d like (pun intended), LIKE Nutrition Nut on the Run to get nutty updates in your newsfeed. You can find the FB link in the right sidebar. Please click, share, and keep the stalking to a minimum ;)

…I kid I kid!!

On a separate note…

Champion gave their sports bra website a facelift. Shopping for sports bras is not my most favorite thing in the world, I can’t lie there, but their new site makes bra shopping far from a bore.

My friends at Champion know how much I love their functional fitness gear, so they shipped a new-to-me style my way.

I put the Custom Criss-Cross bra thought the sweat test. It got a high grade for comfort and style and an above average mark for support; that said, I’m partial to the Powerback.

Think that’s it ‘til next time! :)

Hill on the run

I think my parents are hinting at something…

As evidenced by their generous graduation gifts – a KitchenAid mixer and new camera! – I’m guessing they would like to see some regular blogging from their nutty daughter.

I can now check off “own a pink KitchenAid” from my Life List!

NEW

16.2 mega pixels + 16x optical zoom

v.

OLD

7.2 mega pixels

A setting specifically for food, oh yes!

The camera is a newer model (and much more technologically advanced) of the camera I already have, a Sony Cyber-shot. I got my original, one-and-only, digital camera as a high school graduation gift in 2007. That’s eons ago in the technology world! 

I am very excited to play with my new toys. It’s just the inspiration I needed to continue sharing my edible perspective ;) Thanks, Mom + Dad!

Our Memorial Day weekend weather is quite mild, so I took advantage of the breezy May day to make the inaugural batch of cookies using my new mixer. 2 sticks of real butter + whole wheat flour.

That’s how I roll.

What are you up to this weekend?

See ya soon!

Hill

Sunday: I graduated college.

Sunday: I watched the Solar Eclipse via the bed of my uncle’s truck with iced tea, family… and bubbles.

Monday: I went to work at 8:00am.

I am slowly recuperating from this last week — soaking in the idea of no longer being a student, taking advantage of my last summer at the WREC, and smiling at the sound of the time clock as I swipe “in and out” at my new job every day.

Hello, Real World. The Nutrition Nut has arrived!

What I’ll be wearing one week from today:

From high school senior to college {super} senior.

Crazy how time flies!

Life’s been one heck of a rollercoaster this Spring semester, with an even mixture of stress and smiles.

Between the chaos of responsibility, I squeezed in such fun as the BFF’s San Francisco bachelorette party, volunteering as a running buddy, and morning strolls around the farmer’s market for local strawberry salads…

I can’t wait to get in touch will all of you again. Non-existent blog posting has placed a void in my life, and I greatly miss your inspiration.

Hope you are well and well fed, my friends!

Your soon to be graduate,

The Nutrition Nut

Oh, well hey! Good morning.

If you’re surprised to “see” me, I am just as surprised. I haven’t published a blog post in nearly 2 weeks. Nutrition Nut on the Run has certainly taken a back seat lately, but I’m not too worried about it. I know when the time is right, my habitual blogging will reappear in my life (and yours) “bigger” and better.

I guess you can say I’ve been preoccupied working on one of my 2012 goals to do more. If I didn’t know better, I may mistake myself for the Energizer Bunny these days.

Life via social media:

Facebook

It’s crazy to think that just a few weeks ago I was trembling in my seat thinking about the uncertain path of my future, and now, one month before receiving my diploma, I have started my job – squeezing in hours between my already packed 5-class schedule, internship, exercise, and personal life – as the Wellness Assistant for one remarkable company. #grateful

Twitter

& because I’m on a roll doing more, I added something else to my life for the remainder of the semester:

DailyMile

I’d love to stay and chat, but I should probably brush my hair and get my butt to class.

Happy Workout Wednesday!

See you when I do :)

HP

Wise Word Wednesday

LIFE:

It’s busy, stressful, and wonderful simultaneously.

I have 6 weeks left to go of my college career… SIX weeks!

Less than 30 school days remain in my {immediate} future.

In between the madness of class, studying, and mentoring my clients, I’ve searched, interviewed, and secured a “big girl” J-O-B! More on that later. #teaser

In between the madness, I’ve made time for hikes and nourishing my mind & body with delicious, wholesome foods.

Last night, I made wild {balsamic-glazed} salmon with sautéed rainbow chard, sweet onion, raisins and sunflower seeds. Yes, this would be the dish I had to pinch my nose to eat as as a child. Perhaps, subconsciously, I made this nostalgic recipe in honor of my mom’s birthday {Happy Birthday, Mom!}… or maybe because Mom is always right — even when we’re talking about leafy greens and raisins ;)

In between the madness, I squeeze in baking dates with my kitchen whenever possible — more or less once a week.

To Note: the non-descript, moist, light, nutty baked good above is the best thing to come out of my oven all year. I whipped up my own version of a quick Carrots ‘N’ Cake treat: Pumpkin Nut Date Bars. #OMG

Pumpkin Nut Date Bars

– the Nutrition Nut version

• 1/4 c. canned pumpkin
• 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 2T maple syrup
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 c. canola oil
• 1 egg
• 4-6 Medjool dates, chopped
• 1/3 c. walnuts, chopped

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with canola oil.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth.

Spread batter in prepared baking pan, and bake @ 350F for ~20 minutes.

Let bars cool completely in pan before cutting.

Makes 9 bars.

In between the madness, I cleanse the body {of pumpkin nut date bars} and clear the mind by sweating at the WREC.

Thursday’s workout:

In between the madness, I blog {though seldom} because my life would not be the same without it – it being the virtual world where I find the daily inspiration to be me.

& when there is time, in between the madness, I sleep.

Goodnight.

xo Hill

{graduation pics in the park}

{maple cinnamon sweet tater + rainbow chard lentil bowls}

{sunny sunday hikes}

All is well and good. If only senior year would slowww down.

Happy Workout Wednesday!

If you’re in a rush today and need an easy, high-intensity workout to get your heart pumping, I’ve got the perfect interval run for ya…

There are 24 hours in a day, and this workout is just 24 minutes in total, meaning excuses about “not having the time” are not allowed! If you have the time, try adding the Tone It Up Lean Arms and/or sexy legs pyramid* workout to your routine – hello, spring shorts and tees!

*No one has called me out on my “typo.” The squats are with both legs ;)

Hello HIIT, bye bye belly!

Get to it! :)

Hill

source I / source II / source III 

I’m standing on second base… halfway to home plate… 8 chaotic weeks to go… and though it is easier to focus on the desired destination, embracing the journey and putting faith into the foundation of my future will ultimately allow me to turn my dreams into plans.

Embrace today, embrace your journey

& have a happy Monday!

Hill