2009 April 29

I have restarted typing this post about 10 different times. It has been a very emotional day for me and I am not sure how to get it out in words while blogging about my food and being respectful. I had a fun story to tell about my lunch, as well as a new product I had incorporated into my smoothie, but right now none of that seems important.

This afternoon I was honored to celebrate the life of a young man who lived life to the fullest. Jenna’s brother, John, was loved by many and my only regret is that I never had the chance to meet him myself. Today however I felt like I met him in spirit. His wonderful spirit for life lives on in the many memories his friends and family shared with me today. You did not need to meet John to know that he was one of a kind. He was taken from this earth much too soon.

Caitlin and I made the trip to Tampa to support our friend in this very trying time. The celebration was lovely and there was not a dry eye in the house. The whole time I kept thinking of my own family and how I wish to never go through this. Jenna is a strong one though and to be able to hug her, I knew she would survive this as a stronger, more passionate woman. My heart still aches for her family, but I know there is a wonderful support system there that can not be broken.

So instead of writing about my food, I leave you with some pictures and for the millionth time I ask you to hug you loved ones and let them know how much you care about them before its too late. Reminisce about old photos now, take that trip around the world, stop making excuses, live life to the fullest and have no regrets! You never know what tomorrow brings, so be sure to be ready for anything!

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I am proud to announce that I somehow managed to win a bid on a Flip Camera last night!! I’m honestly not sure if it was worth all the hassle from the $5 I saved over Amazon, but it felt good to beat the other bidders at the game.

I already have all these ideas of what I want to record for my marathon weekend! Now I just have to find a spy belt or something equivalent so I can carry the camera during the race. Anyone have any suggestions?

All I could think about during my 6 mile run this morning was my upcoming marathon. I fly out of Orlando exactly 1 month from today!! Yay!!!

I cam home from my run to a wonderful delish breakfast cookie waiting for me in the fridge.

This, however, was no normal breakfast cookie. I have decided to expand the breakfast cookie market and did a little experimenting with this one.

For starters that is just not plain oats in there, oh no, I took it up a notch and replaced my regular 1/2 cup of dry oats with 1/2 cup of dry Country Choice Organic Multigrain Hot Cereal.

My 1/2 cup serving packed a nice fiber & protein punch with a mix of Rye, Barley, Oats & Wheat. I have to admit I was a little nervous the Multigrain Cereal combination would not soak up the cold applesauce as nicely as just the oats do, but this morning everything was nice and soft. A perfect plain oats substitute!

For something sweet I added a cute little package of Just Tomatoes’ Fruit Munchies.

Just Fruit Munchies is a combination of dried apples, raisins, sour cherries, blueberries, mango, pineapple and raspberries. They were all quite sweet right out of the package, but really were a nice sweet touch interspersed in the breakfast cookie.

I really enjoy the Just Tomatoes products and the company’s approach to food. All of their products are 100% real with no added fat, sweeteners, sulfur, sulfites, preservatives, or colorings. It truly is ‘just’ what they claim it is on the package.

The final Breakfast Cookie Recipe

1/2 cup Country Choice Organic Multigrain Hot Cereal
1 serving package of Just Tomatoes Fruit Munchies
1 heaping spoonful Applesauce
1 spoonful Almond Butter
Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Simply combine all of the ingredients the night before then spread out on a plate and pop into the fridge. In the morning coat with Non-Fat Plain Yogurt & Strawberries then enjoy!!

If you have not tried a breakfast cookie yet, I would suggest you get on it. Gina was seriously a genius when she invented this trend and I love the ability we all have to transform the cookie into any variation we would like. So add what you like or take away what you lie, just be sure to make it your own and enjoy!

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