March 27, 2012

A blog list

I don't know what was wrong with me this morning, but I was SO tired when I woke up. It was 6:30, which is later than I usually get up, but I had to drag myself out of bed to get the kids up for school. I was really tempted to take another rest day, but I knew I would feel guilty if I did that, so I decided to get my 4-mile run out of the way.

My legs were a little tired, but I feel pretty good. I expected to be much more sore after Sunday's half-marathon. Oh, I got the race photos today... I added them to the race report post.

It was kind of cold this morning--30 degrees, which is much colder than it has been lately. So I wore my running tights and a long sleeved shirt, gloves, and headband to keep my ears warm. I actually wished I had worn my fleece, too.

When I got home, I took a shower and then decided to use some almond meal my mom bought me. She went to the Detroit Eastern Market on Saturday morning, and I was really excited when she told me that she bought it for me. She said it sounded like something I would like.

I wasn't sure what to do with it, but I decided to try making a one-minute muffin using the almond flour instead of flaxseed. (I thought I was brilliant for thinking of this idea, until I later looked online and thousands of other people already did this, haha).

I combined 1/4 cup almond flour + 1 beaten egg + 1 Tbsp. Torani sugar free chocolate syrup + 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder + 1/4 tsp. baking powder in a mug, and then microwaved it for 60 seconds. The result? A beautiful chocolate muffin! Which I spread with peanut butter, of course.



There is a certain question that I've been asked dozens of times, but I always avoid it. People want to know a list of blogs that I read, because they're not sure how to go about finding blogs similar to mine. I don't want to hurt feelings of people whose blogs I may not read, so I don't have a public blog roll.

In fact, I don't read a LOT of blogs--probably only about 15-20. I don't read food blogs, because they are a binge trigger for me. And I don't read any blog that has one of those gadgets that say, "A visitor from Detroit, MI!" or whatever city--I hate feeling "spied on". I don't follow any of the "big" blogs with thousands of readers, because I much prefer smaller, friendlier, more "quaint" blogs.

My intention with my blog was to keep it small, friendly, and quaint--which is why I didn't even tell my friends and family that I was writing a blog--but it kind of blew up on Pinterest. I'm happy to have a lot of readers, but I still try to keep my blog warm and friendly, and I always respond to reader e-mails.

So because my blog has gotten quite a few readers, I can't possibly read all of the blogs of my readers. When I get a comment from a new reader, I always check out their blog (if it's linked). But as far as blogs I read regularly, I read a few running blogs and a few weight loss/maintenance blogs, and that's it.

So I've avoided the question of a blog roll for those reasons. But in order to have some sort of blog list that you can see at a glance, I've created a "Blog List" page. Here, there is a form you can fill out about your blog. I will compile the information on that page, and when you want to find a blog to read, you can do so--by category, with a small description of the blog.

So if you have a blog that you would like me to link to, feel free to fill out the form and I'll add it to my list. (Thanks, Detroit Runner, for the idea!)






29 comments:

  1. The blog list is a fabulous idea! I'm always looking for new blogs to read...and I just added mine. Thanks!

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  2. This is the only blog I read or have ever read. Of course I found you on pinterest, but Ive stayed with you because you are such a relatable person. I appreciate all the help you provide us and the DETERMINATION (LOL) You have inspired in me!

    Thanks!
    Katie J.

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  3. I was curious about the one minute muffin recipe...you said above that you subbed the almond flour for flax seed. So the recipe with out almond flour would be a quarter cup of flax seed? I've been trying to find another post where you wrote the recipe, but I can't...I would love the recipe...the muffin looks quite tasty...thanks

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    1. I first used Lori's recipe, which can be found here: http://findingradiance.com/recipes/breakfast/1-minute-muffin/

      I like to make a chocolate version, so I swap out the cinnamon for cocoa powder. And yes, the original version uses ground flax seed. A quarter cup seems like a lot, but it works well. The muffin is great!

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    2. Thanks...I made one this morning...and put peanut butter on it...it was so good...I kept me full until my lunch time. I'm a middle school teacher and I usually am starving in the middle of my 4th period class, right before lunch...but today I wasn't...

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  4. I think the blog list is a fantastic idea. I only read a few blogs and I'm always looking for others to check out. :) I checked your blog earlier this afternoon and saw the blog list tab right away...and of course, I pimped my blog out on it. :) LOL

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  5. I'm thinking about filling out the blog form, but then I feel bad too about it. So I don't think I am going to. I want you to know I am here to read your blog, not to market myself! I care about you, and what you have to say :) Anyway, that muffin looks fan freakin tastic! I love making pizza crust and crackers with almond meal! I would crush my own in the food processor but buying it sure does look easier LOL! I would store it in the freezer though because it could start to taste funky if left out..like bad nuts. All this coming from when I made my own though, who knows if yours would need it!

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    Replies
    1. Czesia, don't feel bad! That's why I put it there :) And I love your blog--I think people would love to read it. So go ahead and fill it out!

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    2. Aww shucks, love you Katie!!!!

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  6. I had to giggle about the almond flour and thinking you made this awesome thing only to find a ton of other recipes. I can't count how many times I've done that. But as long as my honey thinks I'm a culinary genius then I'm okay with that. HA!

    So proud of you for getting your run in even when you didn't feel like it. Go you! Great idea on the blog list too. I'm looking forward to seeing who all pops up on there.

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  7. This is my fave almond meal recipe: http://www.addictedtoveggies.com/2011/10/coconut-lemon-meltaways.html (found it on Pinterest). Since I try and stay sugar free - I keep these in the freezer for when I really need a sweet treet.

    I make the BFC minute muffin every day - I will for sure try this coconut flour version!

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  8. I never heard of the minute muffin recipe and I can't wait to check it out! I also never heard about almond meal and will have to google that as well :)

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  9. I admire how you try new recipes and products. I'm trying to branch out of my southern cooking and try new things. I had quinoa for the first time a year ago and still have not tried to make it myself. I did sample almond butter for the first time over the weekend at Costco and...Y U M!!! I didnt buy any though, thought it was too dangerous to have at this point. :)

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  10. Almond meal is great if you are trying to stay away from gluten in anyway, which I do about 90% of the time. I'm always curious about how to get my breathing right when running. Whenever I used to run at the gym, I could never get my breathing into a good rhythm and then I'd start trying to take a deep breath and then I would start panicking because I couldn't catch my breath and then I'd stop. I feel as though if I could get past the breathing and figure out a rhythm I could do it.

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  11. haha! You're welcome! I enjoy your blog and following your progress in running. There's no way I could keep up on even the blogs I do follow so I do what most probably do and skim through my reader and decide what I want to read completely. In this case, I obviously read your whole post today since I saw my blog in your post. I wonder how often I miss my blog being mentioned. You have some great and interesting posts. That's hard to do as much as you post. Take care!

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  12. I always try to check out new followers'/commenters' blogs, too, but trying to follow them all myself is simply unrealistic and I barely have an itty bitty fraction of the followers you have LOL. Thanks for giving us a chance to network and find new blogs via your blog list! Great idea :)

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  13. I've done the almond flour one, too. It's pretty good, although a lot more calories than the flax. Doing a chocolate muffin sounds good. We have a jar of nutella in the house that I have stayed out of, but might have to put on a muffin!

    That's a very good idea about the blog list, and nice of you to compile it.

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  14. Hey, this has nothing to do with your post, but have you ever had shin splints? If so, how do you get rid of them??? Cause OUCH!

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  15. Great idea!!! I just added mine. You're one of my SP friends and I've been reading your blog for ages, long before I had my own blogger account. I lobe reading others' stories too and I think this will be a great way to do that.

    I filled out the form 1.5 times. You will obviously see the one that's incomplete. iPad mishap. Oooops"

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  16. That muffin looks yummy. I'm always seeing these quick and easy foods to make, but never think to make them when I'm looking for something quick and easy to eat.

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  17. Your muffin looks delicious! I'll have to try that out sometime soon! I'm on a major carb craving kick right now. And I recently discovered Laughing Cow has a cinnamon cream cheese wedge flavor. I tried it for the first time tonight with an apple and it was sooo good. Naturally my thought was "this would be delicious on some sort of bread".

    http://www.thelaughingcow.com/products/new-cinnamon-cream-13-less-fat-than-cream-cheese/

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  18. I don't blame you for not wanting to be "spied" on. I don't like those trackers that tell everyone who is on and how long they are there. Food blogger alert! I'd love you to visit but it is just food, food, food. Most is healthy and gluten free but there are some icky trigger foods that even I can't eat (and shouldn't even blog about!)

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  19. Your list is a great idea, Katie. I read way more blogs than are on my blogroll and it always seems like it's the last thing I think about when updating my site.
    I have got to try this minute muffin recipe. I keep hearing about it and it looks so good!!

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  20. Here is a great cracker recipe using almond flour. Lots of add-in suggestions as you scroll through the comments. Enjoy! :)

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    1. Hmm, I'm not sure why the link didn't show up in my comment (?). Let me try that again. http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/recipe-forum-sticky-threads/238499-almond-thins.html

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  21. Thanks for doing the Blog Roll, I love finding new places on the Web to check out. My favorite flour alternative for mug brownies/muffins/etc is coconut flour. It's slightly sweet and has a higher protein content, so you can use about half as much and end up with a lower calorie treat. With the coconut flour, I can make a 100 calorie chocolate protein muffin that's at least twice the size of a VitaTop (and many times more tasty).

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  22. I've already spent too much time reading some of the new blogs posted here--what a great idea. Leave it to you Katie to come up with this--and none of us feel bad this way! Love ya!

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  23. Thanks so much Katie! I appreciate you letting us link up our blogs! :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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