Copycat Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Like many a basic college student I am obsessed with Starbucks, but ever since I started eating healthy I haven’t had the luxury of drinking all the new sugary seasonal drinks that they come up with L

Today, I tried a recipe for a Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte (a basic favorite) and Annie and I are both hooked.  

I am planning to make a big batch and throw it in a pitcher for an easy pour and microwave option. 

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yield: 1 latte

A copycat version of the Starbucks favorite. You can now drink it all year round for just a fraction of the cost and the calories!

1 c skim milk

1 tbsp pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)

1 + ½ tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup (OR 2 packets Splenda + 1 tsp vanilla extract)

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

tiny pinch ground nutmeg

tiny pinch ground ginger

2 shots hot espresso OR 6 oz hot strong coffee

1.      In a small pot, combine the milk and pumpkin puree (and Splenda, if using). Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk begins to simmer. Whisk vigorously until frothy. Turn heat down to low, and add in the vanilla syrup (or vanilla extract), cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Whisk until fully incorporated.

2.      Pour the espresso or coffee into a mug, and pour the milk mixture on top. Sip and enjoy!

Notes: For a vegan version, use your favorite non-dairy milk. (Try unsweetened almond milk to make it really skinny; it only has 30 calories per cup!)

You can also substitute regular sugar or a different sugar-free sweetener for the Splenda.

MACROS

Serving Size: 1 latte

Calories 89

Total Fat 0.3g

Total Carbohydrate 13.6 g

Protein 8.6 g

---

--Taken from Amy’s Healthy Baking.com --

Give it a a try and tell me what you think! 

Catherine

4 days out

I’ll be straight up with you that this marathon is hanging over my head and I am ready for it to be done.

For those of you not from Minnesota there has recently been a lot of drama associated with the Twin Cities Marathon and the group Black Lives Matter.  Black Lives Matter is organizing a protest that was supposed to interfere with the finish line of the marathon. No one wants to hear that the week of the race.  Marathon running is not something you do on a whim and some people have trained their whole life for this event.  Why on earth would you want to ruin that for someone?  In a press conference this afternoon, the Governor and the St. Paul Police Department were quoted in saying that they will prosecute anyone planning to interfere with the race or its participants.

Thank goodness. This is an athletic competition, not a political forum. 

For me this race is not about a PR, but simply about finishing strong and determined. I want nothing more than to cross the finish line and see my friends and family!

Please keep Bailey, Katie, and I in your thoughts on Sunday morning.  We will need all of the positive vibes J

Keep up to date on Instagram!

Catherine

Tommie Johnnie Weekend Recap

I feel like the last three weekends have been crazy bananas up here, but it has been totally worth it.  This weekend was no exception.  It was the Tommie/Johnnie game and ESPN Sports Center broadcast-ed from campus from Friday to Saturday, so everyone was even more spirited.

Saturday

Saturday morning started with a workout with Bailey.  I think I kicked her butt a little and enhanced her new interest in Crossfit!

W/O

3 mile run (easy)

21-15-9 of each WOD

WOD #1

Back Squats (135#)

Box Jumps (20”)

WOD #2

Front Squats (75#)

Burpees

WOD #3

Overhead Squats (45#)

Single Jump Rope x 100 reps

Post workout it was over to SJU to drop a car and give Brett and Andrew their game tickets. I am so glad that they came up to visit!

Then it was back to CSB to have a family lasagna lunch with the Thole’s.  It was the first time I’ve gotten to see Joy, Christopher, Kim, and Henry since school started.  They had some big news to share.  Kim and Christopher are expecting their second child.  YAY for babies!  Can’t wait to meet the new little one in March.

 

After lunch it was back to SJU for the game.

 

Then at halftime I had to get back to CSB to get ready for the Shania Twain concert in the cities with Riley, Mark, and Dani.  I am so glad that I got to see and have dinner with everyone before the concert.  We got to talk a lot about Riley’s application to the MN State Patrol and his plans for next year.  Now it’s my job to make sure I finish his reference before the big marathon this weekend….

 

Shania was good, but Gavin DeGraw definitely took the cake in both wardrobe choices and overall experience.  I knew I liked Gavin DeGraw, but his performance was absolutely amazing.  A definite addition to anyone’s concert list.

Sunday

I got back to campus at about 1am this morning.

Then it was sleep, eat breakfast, and explore the Millstream arts festival with Mom and both Annie’s. 

All in all it was a great weekend!

 T-7 days until the marathon. :)  

Catherine

Garlic Soy Green Beans

This week has been all about being new and healthy, so tonight I tried a great adaptation to one of my favorite veggies; green beans. I love this recipe because it provided me with the perfect complement to some leftovers that needed to be eaten (rotisserie chicken and a baked potato).

Garlic Soy Green Beans

Yields 4-6 side servings

Ingredients
1 pound green beans
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
3 cloves garlic
1 shallot
2 Tbsp. tamari (or reduced sodium soy sauce/coconut aminos)
Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Directions
Trim ends off green beans. Mince garlic, and chop shallot.
Add sesame oil to a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Let heat for a couple minutes until hot.
Add shallots and garlic. Heat for 20-30 seconds.
Add green beans and stir well to coat.
Saute until just tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring often so garlic doesn't burn.
Add tamari/soy sauce/coconut aminos. Toss to combine and cook 1-2 minutes.
When serving, don't forget the garlic/shallot pieces on the bottom of the pan - huge flavor!

http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2014/10/asian-garlic-green-beans.html

                                                                                                        

I don't know about you, but Annie's 22!

I had to keep a massive secret from Annie for the last three weeks and on Friday night it totally paid off.  She had no idea that Connie and I had 12 of our best friends and her brother Phil, who flew out from Colorado, over to their house for a barbecue. She was shocked!

I am seriously going to miss my nights out with this chick. 

I don't know what I'd do without this nut in my life.  She definitely encourages me to be the best person I can be and I can't believe we've only been in each others lives for 4 years...

Love you Annie, 

CB

A week of new recipes

I hate being stuck in ruts.  Whether the ruts come from relationships, workouts, or meals I always work to dig myself out as soon as humanly possible.  This week’s rut is food.  I am so sick of all of the “normal” things that I eat and I feel like my body is craving change, so I found a bunch of new recipes!

Here are some of the new recipes I am going to try this week.

Crock pot Apple Oatmeal

3 C. Steel-cut oats
1 1/2 C. water
1 1/2 C. unsweetened almond milk
3 Tbsp. flax seed
2 Tbsp. maple syrup 

2-3 apples, chopped
1 1/2. tsp. cinnamon

1/3c raisins

1tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 2-3.

Serves 10, about 1 cup per serving. Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen in individual portions.

from http://www.beachreadynow.com/recipes/21-day-fix-crock-pot-oatmeal/

Cashew Chicken

http://sallycooks.com/2013/06/27/crockpot-cashew-chicken/

Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/11/crock-pot-italian-turkey-meatballs.html

Crock pot Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.skinnymom.com/skinny-slow-cooker-chicken-pot-pie/

In case you haven’t noticed I am addicted to the crock pot.  My days are so jam packed with work, class, workouts, and an attempt of a social life, that I often run out of time to prep or I end up eating at weird hours.  Neither of which I enjoy. So the crock pot is an awesome alternative for me.  I can prepare everything ahead of time and then all I have to do is turn it on in the morning before I head to work.  Who doesn't love coming home to an apartment that smells like something delicious?

Be sure to check back this week for my reviews of the recipes :) 

Have you tried any great new recipes lately?

Catherine

Espirit De She Maple Grove

 Yesterday was Annie's 22nd birthday.  After two years of pestering I finally convinced her to do her first 5k and she did an awesome job. 

We were super worried because driving down to the race it was pouring rain.  My worst fear was that we would get all the way down there and it would be cancelled, but the skies cleared up about half an hour before the start.  It turned out to be a gorgeous night for a run. 

Jesse and I did the 10k and Annie did the 5k which was super nice because this course is a loop.  So I did the first lap pacing between Jesse and Annie just to make sure Annie was doing okay then on the second lap I sped up to keep up with Jesse which was awesome because we kept each other motivated for the last couple miles for sure.  Oh, and we both PR'd from our time last year :) 

Mom made the trip to Maple Grove as well to cheer us on, so we had a great cheering section with her, John, and LJ. 

I think she always has a hard time when I go back to school, so I am glad I got to see her. And we all got to catch up post-race with a little Noodles and Co dinner. 

Tonight I have a GIANT surprise planned for Annie's birthday, so make sure to stay tuned for a post about it tomorrow. 

Happy Friday, 

Catherine