Mighty nuts about Mighty Nut – recipe and giveaway!

Let’s take a moment to swoon over fall. The sounds of football games waft through the open windows from the high school and college down the street. The crispy leaves crunch on the ground as my kids play in the yard. Friends chat about PSL and how many Fridays remain until Christmas. And, of course, my running friends know just how special fall racing can be.

Fall cooking (and dare I say, fall in general) is my most favorite. I mean, I love cooking all the time, but there’s something about fall that makes it extra special. Oatmeal! Bread! Crock pot meals! ALL THE THINGS.

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Surprisingly, my knowledge of powdered peanut butter is was somewhat limited. As in, I saw it at the store but never paid it too much attention. After all, what’s the point? Just get regular peanut butter and call it a day!

Silly me! Of course there’s a point, which I quickly learned when Fit Approach sent me the Flax & Chia and Original Mighty Nut Powdered Peanut Butter to try and review (and giveaway – more on that soon!).

There’s 85% less fat calories than traditional peanut butter and 1-1.5 grams of fat, depending on what type of Mighty Nut you try. And 5-6 grams of protein!

To kick off the powdered PB party, I decided to go with a tried and true recipe – Whipped Banana Oatmeal to which I added the Flax and Chia… along with sliced bananas, a few chocolate chips, and Craisins.

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Muy deliciouso!

Not quite done with my peanut butter party (’cause the peanut butter party don’t stop!), I decided to get a bit more creative and step it up with a favorite of mine, banana bread with a nutty kick of the Original Mighty Nut.

My dear friend Anne shared her banana bread recipe with me a few years ago and it’s a family fave! I figured with a few tweaks, I could add a PB twist. Spoiler alert – I feel like it wasn’t peanut butter-y enough. Therefore I’m sharing the recipe that I’ll be trying the next time around. Pump up the peanut butter, dial back the banana (slightly).

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Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 very ripe bananas
2 eggs
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup butter at room temperature (I am never good about remembering this part!)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons Mighty Nut Original Powdered Peanut Butter

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the milk and lemon juice and set on the stove top near the vent to sour.
  3. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
  4. Mix together the butter and sugar. Add in the eggs and mix until creamy.
  5. Add in mashed up bananas.
  6. Add in the lemony milk  mixture.
  7. Add in the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder mixture.

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You can also add chocolate chips, nuts, whatever your heart desires! I added chocolate chips because you can never go wrong with a banana/PB/chocolate combo!

8. Dump the mixture into a greased pan and bake for 1 hour.

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9. Try not to eat the whole loaf. Or do. I won’t judge you.

You want to try it, don’t you? Lucky for you, the awesome folks over at Fit Approach and Mighty Nut have given me the chance to host a giveaway! Just click on the picture below and enter via Rafflecopter now through 10.22.15. US residents only.

Click the pic to enter!

Click the pic to enter!

One prize per person. If you win this giveaway, and have already won another prize from Mighty Nut through another blog, please disclose that you have already won so we can choose another winner. 

Many thanks to FitApproach and Mighty Nut for this awesome opportunity. I’m provided the product and compensation but all opinions shared are honest.

 

500 Down, 2000 To Go On Our #Journey2aMillion

YOU GUYYYYS. I cannot even. I seriously Can.Not Even. We are barely 9 days into September and we’ve reached 20% of our #Journey2aMillion mileage AND fundraising goals. So yeah, I cannot even begin to tell you how amazingly, wonderfully, fantastically, stupendous you all are!

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Of course numbers are great. Goals are great. Meeting goals is even better. But the best part about our 425 miles and $500 is that we’re doing it together. Nothing is better than that. That’s why we’re giving out a few pretty prizes this week just (and every week this month) for being a part of the team!

WK1WINNERS

Bonnie

Every year, we ask you to join our team and donate your miles to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Every year, we are awed and inspired by your generosity and commitment. All the kiddos fighting the good fight are grateful for you, and so are we.

There’s always time to join the team (if you haven’t already).

Thanks to Racedots and KatieK Active for their kickin’ prize donations!

 

Freekeh Foods review and giveaway

Food and I have a love-hate relationship.

I’m a picky eater, though far less picky than I was years ago. Ask my husband (and Mer). I often look at a multi-page menu and snap it shut without seeing one item I’m interested in eating. I won’t consume just for the calories. I want to really enjoy my meal.

I love veggies, wheat bread, seafood, creme brulee and coffee. Most other foods? We’re friends, but meh. I could take or leave most of them. Then there’s beef, potatoes, raspberries and coleslaw. Thanks, but no thanks.

Lately, I’ve been playing with my grains – Bismati rice, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, cous cous, quinoa.  I swap them out and combine them with random veggies a la my fridge. So I was thrilled when FitApproach and SweatPink offered the chance for me to try and review a new-to-me product, Freekeh Foods, a Minnesota-based company that launched in 2012.

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Freekeh is an ancient grain that according to legend, was created by accident by accident young wheat fields in a Middle Eastern village were set ablaze. In  an attempt to salvage damaged crops, villagers rubbed away the burnt chaff and found that the roasted kernels inside were delicious.

Freekeh (pronounced Free-kuh) is an organic, wheat-based grain, so note that it is NOT gluten-free.

Here are some other takeaways:

  • Freekeh is simple to make – on your stovetop or in a rice cooker. Add water and let it simmer.
  • It’s flavorful, with a slightly nutty flavor and chewy texture.
  • It’s high in fiber and protein and has fewer calories than quinoa and white rice.
  • it’s versatile for use in a variety of recipes, as part of a main dish or side dish.
  • Each 8 ounce package costs $4 (and includes four servings.) A case of six packages retails around $14.50.

I whipped the flavored package as a side (and um, forgot to take a pic, sorry!)

But I got a bit more creative with seasonal veggies when I tested the original flavor of Freekeh.

The result? Delicious.

I mixed my package of original Freekeh Foods with onion, zuccini and 2 ears of sweet corn, ground turkey and butter beans, 2 Tbsp. of cumin and a bit of salt and pepper.

Treman, kayak, SUP 348In the works

 Treman, kayak, SUP 353The final product! YUM

Like what you see? You have the chance to win one package of Freekeh Foods (winner can pick between original, rosemary sage or tamari) AND a cookbook, which retails at $14.95. U.S. residents only please.

freekehbookClick here or the below graphic to enter the giveaway, which runs though Aug. 30. Good luck!

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Freekeh Foods though FitApproach provided Freekeh for me to try. No compensation was given outside the samples for this post. All words, opinons and cooking skills are my own. Prizes will be sent directly from Freekeh Foods.

The Lemon-Face Challenge; Cancer Can Suck It!

If you’ve been following us for a while, you are well aware of the fact that we hate cancer, pediatric cancer, in particular.  You also know that we are big supporters of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a foundation dedicated to raising funds for research to eradicate childhood cancers.  Because seriously, who doesn’t hate cancer?

September kicks off their annual Alex’s Million Mile (#AMM) Event where we run, walk, and bike while raising money for cancer research.

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We LOVE this event because we get to raise money and awareness while running. It makes running fun.

No, that’s a lie.Running will never be FUN.

But #AMM does make routine runs more meaningful. Us Chicks are eager to get started, so we’re launching our team today by telling cancer to go suck the big fat (yellow) one.

 Everyone is doing it! Jenn’s mileage goal is 80 miles in September.

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Kyle hopes her miles hit 70 for #AMM

Bec's mileage goal is a firm 50.

Bec’s mileage goal is a firm 50.

Cam going for 25 and her daughter, Sophie, is shooting for 10!

Cam going for 25 and her daughter, Sophie, is shooting for 10!

Jess is down for  30. Go Jess, go Jess, go, go, go, Jess!

Jess is down for a firm 30. Go Jess, go Jess, go, go, go, Jess!

Meri

Meri’s looking to log 40 miles!

Vic's shooting for the triple digits at 100!

Vic’s shooting for the triple digits at 100!

If you hate cancer too and like to win cool stuff, take the Lemon-face Challenge and Join Team Scootadoot!

After you join the Team, Facebook, Tweet or Instagram a photo or video of your best lemon-sucking face, let us know your mileage goal, and tag it with #Journey2aMillion and #lemonfacechallenge , we’ll enter you in a drawing for a great prize!

We’ve got goodies from FitBit, iTunes, Another Mother Runner, SkirtSports, and RaceDots (to name a few), and we’ll be giving out prizes to Team Members throughout September!

Recruit your friends to join the team with this QR code which links to our team fundraising page. How slick is that?

Team Scootadoot AMM LinkLet’s show cancer what us running folk can accomplish. Go suck a lemon and help us fight back!

 

 

Doozy for Dimity Contest Winner

Last week, we wrapped up our Doozy for Dimity Contest!

Congratulations to Kimberly who will receive the prize package below plus a $10 iTunes gift card!

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Kimberly sent in her winning question via Facebook. She asked Dimity the following totally relate-able question:

Question

Dimity answered in true Bad Ass Mother Runner fashion! Of course! We expect no less.

It was a great pleasure meeting Dimity and we thank her SO MUCH for her response to Kimberly’s question!

The Speaker Event was fantastic, the SkirtSports folks are as sweet as can be, and Dimity was hilarious and witty and charming. Here is just a snippet of her hour long talk.

I left the event with a huge smile and an arm full of loot. Dimity gave me a copy of Another Mother Runner, I won some awesome neon pink Pro Compression Socks, AND SkirtSports gave me one of their new Lioness skirts to try out; it’s a new design for Fall and so adorable. I had to have a pink one to match my new socks! I can’t deny I am certainly a fan of both Dimity’s and SkirtsSports!

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The biggest take-away I got from Dimity’s talk was to not feel guilty taking care of yourself.  You deserve to take the time to care for yourself, to nurture yourself, and to restore yourself. It is just as important as all the demands that others make of you. If we don’t care for yourselves, we aren’t able to care for those who need us so much. Be kind to yourself, everyone!

Are you a Mother Runner? What takeaways do you glean from your fellow runners and friends? Do you like pink too? Tell me all about it in the comments!

A Doozy for Dimity – Question Contest #scootdimity

In a few weeks, SkirtSports is kicking off their new Speaker Series with none other than Dimity McDowell. I was excited immediately because, well…who wouldn’t want to meet Dimity if given the chance? AND maybe, just maybe, I could get Dimity’s thoughts on your most burning running and mothering questions. Such as does she have any toenails left? Or when is it appropriate to to use your BOB to mow down the walkers in the way? According to retired Chick Brooke, Dimity is very funny and gracious, so I’m sure she would be more than willing to give us some insight into these, and your, burning questions.

Retired Chick Brooke (center) with Sarah Bowen Shea & Dimity McDowell 3/2014

Retired Chick Brooke (center) with Sarah Bowen Shea & Dimity McDowell 3/2014

The Contest Scoop:

1. Tweet us your questions for Dimity using the hashtag #scootdimity. Tweet as many questions as you like, but tweet them by 7/10/15.  After that, the contest ends!

2. We will select the top three questions and announce winners on 7/13/15. I will ask as many of those three as I can at the event.

3. If your question is selected, you’ll win a prize! A fun and awesome prize, no less! Even if I don’t get to ask your question, you’ll still win a prize!

So start thinking and tweeting! The crazier and the funnier, the better. The more genuine and authentic, the better, too.

Let’s show Dimity who the Scoot community is and come up with some doozies for her!

This post and contest are not sponsored by SkirtSports or Dimity McDowell. All prizes are provided by Scootadoot.

 

Dashing Diva Ditches Dairy

Don’t you just love alliteration? Clearly, I do!

Okay, so there are two parts to this post, and one of them is a giveaway! I promise, we’re not giving away dairy. Although, I’ve got some nice brie in my fridge…

Ditching Dairy

If you follow me on Twitter (@just_bec_), you may have seen my daily rants about the struggle of going dairy-free. And if you’ve read this blog for a while, you’ve no doubt heard me wax poetic about my love of cheese. So, how do these things go together? Hint: Not well.

Based on a pre-existing medical condition I have, my new doctors recommended doing some elimination dieting to see if we can determine what causes my issues. (That made it sound super ominous and serious, huh? It’s not, I promise, I’m fine!) And since dairy is a common culprit, that is where they wanted to start. Enter me having to give up all dairy for two months. ALL dairy. Even cheese Even ice cream.

I'll miss you, buddy!

I’ll miss you, buddy!

SIGH.

After a few false starts, I’ve made it through two full days. Not easily, and not without complaint, but I did it. I attempted Whole 30 last year, so it’s not surprising to me how many things contain dairy. But I only made it to Whole 4, mainly because of cream in my coffee. I’ve gotten a few recs so far for good dairy alternatives. I already liked almond milk, so that was cool. Oreos are vegan, so that’s a bonus. American Flatbread Vegan Harvest Pizza is pretty tasty, especially if you put pepperoni on it (don’t judge). And I even made some really delicious Dairy Free Banana Chocolate Chip muffins (those actually are vegan, so does that redeem me?).

With all that said, I can’t spend the next two months eating Oreos and frozen pizza. I mean, I could, but I don’t want to. And depending on how the test goes, this could be a very long term thing.

So, I’m going to need a little help here. Anyone have awesome dairy alternatives? (Meaning cheese or ice cream, because no other dairy really matters, amiright?) Or recipes you love that are inherently dairy-free? A plant based protein powder you love that doesn’t taste like grass? Or if you’ve successfully given up dairy, and you have tips to share, those would also be lovely.

Dashing Divas

Let’s move on to more pleasant topics, shall we? Diva Dash!

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If you don’t know anything about Diva Dash, it’s a women only obstacle 5K. Think lots of costumes. Think LOTS of tutus! And some running and climbing on things and fun. And also, think charity. For 2015, the charity partner for the Shape Diva Dash is Girls on the Run. Awesome.

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I’ve posted about Diva Dash before. I did my first Diva Dash in 2012. This was pre-Scoot, so to give you some background, 2012 was the year that I started running. I had been Couch to 5King since February, went to Atlantic City in April and did a 7K while Mer and Cam did the half, signed up for a couple of colorful runs over the summer, and when I saw this video, I knew I wanted to do Diva Dash.


Looks so fun, right? And challenging!

So I signed up, with every intention of spending the summer getting ready for obstacles and running. And then July came. And heat came. And running stopped. And by the time September rolled around, I was not at all ready.

I did it anyway, and it was fun, but by the end I was dying, and literally had medics pulling me aside and asking if I was okay. (I was fine, I just get really red in the face). Not exactly the experience I wanted to have.

Still, when sign up time came in 2013, I jumped right on it, planning to spend the summer getting ready. I think you can guess what happened. I went into the 2013 race with so much anxiety, and I wound up skipping a bunch of obstacles because I was nervous. Again, fun, but not the experience I wanted.

2014, I signed up again, and I don’t think I need to tell you what my plan was, or how it went. When race day dawned and it was 95 degrees and I was still suffering from PF, I just said screw it.

So, when I saw the sign ups for 2015, and I got the urge to sign up, I realized something. Diva Dash is my Moby Dick race. I have to conquer it! And, since I wanted to make sure I stayed good and motivated this year, I signed up to be a Shape Diva Dash Ambassador!

What does this mean for me? It means I’ve really got to stick with it this summer, so I can have the experience I want to have.

What does it mean for you? Well, if you live near (or want to travel to) any of the upcoming race locations this year (Washington, D.C. on 9/12, BOSTON on 9/26 or New York Metro on 10/10), you can use Discount Code AXSCOOT to get $10 off your registration. I highly reccommend Boston, since I live there, and that is the race I will be at, and you can come give me a hug.

And, since the Diva Dash ladies rock hard, they are letting us give away one free race entry! Awesome? Awesome. This giveaway will stay open until 6/19/15.



Good luck, Divas!

Navy/Air Force Half Race Entry Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Bradley Richardson, who will be joining me in DC in September to run the NAFHalf marathon! Can’t wait to run all the miles with you! I’ll be in touch soon with details!
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And now for the rest of my post this week:

I’m currently in the midst of a marathon. Not the running kind. The ‘I’ve been sick for the last two days so I’m exhausting my movie collection’ kind. LOTS of LOTR, my friends. Lots.

Being sick blows for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that I can’t work out. I always fall back on the rule my mom had when I was a kid: if you’re too sick to do the things you need to do (ie: go to school , or in this case, work), then you’re too sick to do the things you want to do (ie: hang out with friends, or now, go to the gym).

So here I am, sitting here with my throat feeling like sandpaper and the slightest cough and all of the DayQuil and Cepacol ever. Watching Frodo and Sam and Smeagol battle Shelob and the Rohirrim take on the orcs at Pellennor Fields. Thinking about how I should be running three miles or going to spin or hitting a yoga class. But nope. I’m on the couch. Drinking water. Lamenting my failed immune system.

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Who even gets sick in June?! That’s some ridiculous shiz, friends. Ridiculous.

Only upside to being home sick? I actually had a little time to cook real food. Today I decided that I needed some comfort food and gathered the things I needed to throw together my Grammie’s meatballs and spaghetti sauce. I’d share the recipe, but at this point, I don’t really follow one for either. All I know is that my house smells amazing and I’m going to have mad leftovers. And I actually WANT to eat this, which is more than can be said for how I’ve felt all day.

So, here’s to giveaway winners and good drugs, naps and movies, and comfort food above all else. And to being on the mend, because I’ve got some miles to get in. Pronto.

It’s My Birthday and I’ll Giveaway If I Want To!

Friends.

Tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow I’m officially closer to 30 than to 20 – which I would complain about, but it would probably get me smacked, so I won’t. Tomorrow is my birthday! 26 big ones.

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Sadly, there will be no watermelon cake this year.

Goodbye, parents’ health insurance. Hello, no more excuses for not actually adulting.

So, to celebrate this milestone day, I’m going to be Oprah. Or rather, I’ll be like Oprah. I’m pulling a reverse birthday and giving something to you all!

Remember how I’m a race ambassador for the Navy/Air Force Half Marathon? Well, one of those perks is that I have a free race entry to share with some lucky son of a gun.

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Clicky-click the picture to enter the giveaway!

Help me celebrate my birthday and enter for your chance to win – and then come run with me in September!

Let’s run all the miles!