As soon as I saw Purely Elizabeth's sample sale Instagram for these functional granola bars I immediately had to order them. I have never really been a huge fan of bars, but the idea of adding superfood mushrooms into a granola bar caught my attention--that and I am obsessed with Purely Elizabeth's ancient grain granola already! 

Mushrooms?--I know it sounds kind of strange, but upon reading about the mushrooms used and all of their different benefits, it's actually GENIUS. They have benefits ranging from energy and insurance to digestion and immunity and more! There are five different functional granola bars--immunity, refresh, shine, energy, and mind--in classic nut butter, coconut, dark chocolate, and fruity flavors. 

The sample sale is sadly over, but they will be coming out this summer, which is super exciting because I am definitely going to be needing more of these! What could be better than granola bars with a purpose, great ingredients, that taste amazing too?

Functional Granola Bars

Meet the Mushrooms

Ancient Grain Granola

Late last night around midnight I came to a HUGE realization as I was preparing to get up at 6:00am for my 14 mile long run before class--Why am I doing this?

All week I had been stressing over when I was going to get my long run in for the week--and to make matters more stressful, the weather forecast after tomorrow has been saying nothing but rain for over a week. I had been really feeling the pressure to get up, run for 2 hours, and get to class on time--but for what?

Lately I have caught myself saying that if don't get my miles in that I'm letting myself down, that I'm being a quitter and that I'm already weeks behind in training because of my injury so I can't lose anymore mileage. I have been putting so much pressure on myself to run a marathon this year, especially since I ran 2 half-marathons last year--but why? I had been convincing myself that it was something I really wanted to do, but in reality it isn't--not right now in my life anyway.

I felt like it was expected of me to run a full marathon after conquering the half and that if I didn't--was I really a runner?

Yes. I. Am.

I had a realization this evening that running was becoming more of a chore than something I enjoy doing. I LOVE running. I love the freedom in just mindlessly running forward and I love being able to spend some quiet time with my thoughts--but having a training schedule and not having a reason for running more than my comfortable 10 mile that was for me, made me begin to fall out of love with it. I have been dreading putting on my running shoes lately, and honestly, I don't care if I ever run a marathon in my lifetime.

Don't get me wrong--I think running a marathon is an amazing achievement, and props to you if you have or are planning to, I just don't think that it's for me at this point in my lifetime.

I love running--And I don't need to prove that I'm a runner to anyone else. I believe that I am, and running a marathon or not, is NOT going to change that.

Claire

xx

Lately I have been binge watching some of Amelia Liana's old videos/vlogs--she is so hilarious and fun to watch! (She also has amazing style!) And while being weird watching old videos, I came across the Healthy Caramel Slices recipe that she adopted from the Hippy Lane app. They were so easy to make and, although mine don't look nearly as beautiful as hers, SO delicious!

Ingredients

Layer 1 (base)

1 1/2 cups raw, unsalted cashews

2 tbsp desiccated coconut

7 medjool dates, pitted

2 1/2 tbsp brown rice syrup

Layer 2 (caramel)

7 medjool dates, pitted

1/4 cup coconut oil, solid

1/2 cup almond butter

1/4 cup brown rice syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

Layer 3 (chocolate)

1/3 cup cacao powder

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

In a food processor, or blender, add in all of the ingredients for base layer and blend until fine

Pour into a lined baking tray and spread evenly

Place in the freezer while making the second layer

Add all of the caramel layer ingredients into the food processor and pulse until a thick paste forms

Remove the baking tray from the freezer and spread the caramel layer evenly on top of the base layer

Put back into the freezer while making the top layer

Add all of the chocolate layer ingredients into the food processor and blend

Spread the chocolate layer evenly on top of the other layers

Press raw nuts or freeze dried fruit into the top layer (optional--I topped mine with chopped pecans)

Freeze for about 30 minutes and cut into little squares

Store in the fridge!

*I altered the recipe just a little bit to cater to what I had on hand and what I prefer taste-wise.

Claire

xx

Amelia Liana (YouTube)

Amelia Liana (Blog)

I have long been completely obsessed with Madewell. Every time they bring out new items, I want to buy them all! Everything is amazing quality, super cute and they often have a LOT of discounts/sales--even a student discount! (WIN). I also love how versatile their sizing is. I am quite a small, petite person so I tend to struggle to find clothing that fits/complements my figure well and having the option of smaller sizes  and multiple pant lengths is just a DREAM.

I may have gotten a bit spendy my last trip there--but I simply can't help myself!

Off the shoulder tops have been super popular for quite a while now and for some reason I have always struggled to find one that fits me well, suits my style, is of nice quality, and reasonably priced. This top ticks all of the boxes! It's structured--but not TOO structured, it falls nicely and it fits perfectly around my shoulders. I don't find myself struggling to keep my top in place all day and it isn't uncomfortably tight either. I think I am definitely going to have to go back and get the white version of it!

I also found a cold shoulder top that was just too cute to pass up! I am not the biggest wearer of pink, but the pink shade of this top was just calling my name. I love the little ties on the sleeves and the length of it is just slightly cropped, making it perfect to pair with high waisted jeans! The material is lovely and like the off the shoulder top I picked up, I am 100% going to be picking it up in the other colors.

Jeans have always been a clothing item that just never, and i mean NEVER, fit right. For the past few years I have been wearing the same black skinny jeans from Urban Outfitters--which I LOVE to death, but I had had yet to find a pair of lighter wash denim that I loved just as much. I am completely over the moon about these jeans! Like the off the shoulder top--they tick all of the right boxes! They are high rise, fit just snug enough, don't double in size as the day goes on, and are a perfect wash and length. They fit so well that I popped back into the store and picked them up in the darker wash too! I have a feeling this Spring/Summer I am going to be LIVING in both of these jeans!

Speaking of the perfect summer jeans...I also picked up a pair of 'mom' style jeans in a light wash. I love how comfortable and how versatile this style can be and they are just so amazing for summer that they're even called the perfect summer jean!

Claire

xx

Clean Off-The-Shoulder Top

Skylark Cold-Shoulder Top

10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans

9" High-Rise Skinny Jeans

The Perfect Summer Jean

Steve Madden Stecy Heels

Phases of the Moon Necklace

Rebecca Minkoff Camera Bag

What better way to start off my special day than with a stack of chocolate chip buckwheat pancakes--YUM! These are my absolute favorite to make on special occasions (mainly because I'm too lazy too) and before long runs. They are super filling, give me plenty of energy and taste INCREDIBLE!

Ingredients

1/2 cup buckwheat pancake mix

1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 ripe banana

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

dark chocolate chips

Instructions

On a low heat, heat a frying pan and grease with coconut oil

In a blender, blend the pancake mix, almond milk, banana, baking powder, and vanilla until smooth

Pour desired amount of batter onto the pan and add a few chocolate chips, using a fork to cover with the batter

Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until bubbles form around the edges, and flip, cooking for another 1-2 minutes

Repeat until all pancakes are cooked--I made 4 small pancakes

Drizzle with maple syrup, or any other toppings!

Since it was my birthday, I decided why not go out to lunch? I hardly ever eat lunch out, but today was my birthday and I managed to squeeze in a 10 mile run, so a meal I didn't have to take time to make sounded perfect!

I ended up going to a new place where I live, Crazy Bowls & Wraps, with my mother and it was delicious! There were plenty of plant-based options, it was super filling, and the food came pretty fast--basically everything I could want from a quick lunch spot. I went for a teriyaki bowl with mixed veggies, organic quinoa, spicy teriyaki on the side, and, instead of a protein, avocado. 

Around 4pm I got a bit peckish, but didn't want to spoil dinner, so I chopped up a large honey crisp apple and had a cheeky little peppermint patty from Rooted Juicery!

Tonight I went to Bones' Burgers for a vegan burger with sweet potato fries! They have some of the BEST sweet potato fries, with a little bit of a kick! I LOVE spicy sweet potato fries--the sweet and spicy complement each other so well and they just taste like heaven! Bones' does a homemade ketchup that has a bit of a smoky flavor, which goes amazing with the burger, and I always ask for regular ketchup as well for the fries--SO GOOD. The vegan burger itself is AMAZING. It is made with all locally sourced ingredients that are in season at the moment, giving it a unique flavor every time!

I was pretty full from my dinner, but it was my birthday so I went for a sweet treat anyway! Last week I made blondie brownies, so I heated up one of those, scooped a bit of vanilla on the side, and drizzled it with chocolate fondue! Let's just say I went into a massive food coma, but it was well worth it!

Claire

xx

Arrowhead Mills Organic Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle Mix

Enjoy Life Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips

Crazy Bowls & Wraps

Rooted Juicery & Kitchen

Bones' Burgers

Blondies Recipe

Coconut Bliss Vanilla Island Ice Cream

Trader Joe's Chocolate Fondue

Sephora never fails to impress me with their birthday gifts. They are aways just too good to be true! 2015's blew me away with the mini NARS matte lip crayons--so gorgeous! And 2016's Fresh face cleanser and face mask mini's were to DIE for.

Today's 'what I eat in a day' is full of easy recipes I make in my dorm with just a microwave!

Breakfast

For breakfast during the week I almost always have oatmeal. It's so easy and super filling so it gets me through my long studio classes! I pretty much always make my superfood oatmeal because it is so tasty and it is a good way to get in a lot of good nutrients first thing in the morning!

Lunch

I eat a pretty late breakfast while I'm at school because I always try to schedule my classes for the early afternoon so that I have mornings to workout, do some yoga, or just get myself organized for the day because there is no way that is happening after class...

I tend to not have the largest lunch so today I made a green smoothie bowl. I recently brought my blender to school with me and ever since then life has been amazing! Until I brought it with me I would have a huge fruit bowl everyday--but to be honest that gets old real fast because of the limited fruit selection at the market.

Ingredients

2 large handfuls of spinach

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)

1 tsp acai powder

1 tsp matcha powder

Toppings

1/2 fresh ripe banana

2 tbsp granola

1 1/2 tsp hemp seeds

1 1/2 tsp chia seeds

1 1/2 tsp raw cacao nibs

a sprinkle of raw pumpkin seeds

Dinner

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato

1/4 cup cooked brown rice

a few handfuls of spinach

2 cups raw broccoli

red onion

bell peppers--red, yellow, and green

1/4 cup black beans

paprika

cayenne

turmeric

Trader Joe's everyday seasoning

1/2 avocado

Instructions

Peel and cut the sweet potato. Season with paprika, cayenne, turmeric, and everyday seasoning and microwave for 10-12 minutes, stirring around every few minutes to make sure it cooks evenly

While the potatoes cook, chop up the veggies

Remove the potatoes and stir in all of the veggies--minus the spinach--the black beans, and brown rice and microwave for about 2-3 minutes, or until the broccoli looks cooked

Stir in the raw spinach and top with sliced avocado and even a little more seasoning!

*I get already cooked brown rice from the dining hall

Since I had a super later dinner I just went for a little treat--some raw vegan chocolates from Rooted Juicery & Kitchen! My mother was kind enough to send me some of their chocolatey goodies for a late Valentine's--so yummy! They got a little messy in the mail, but they are to die for!

Claire

xx

Superfood Oatmeal Recipe

Navitas Naturals Acai Powder

Navitas Naturals Maca Powder

Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola

Rooted Juicery & Kitchen