Hostess-Inspired Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Sometimes its fun to think back on life as a little kid. Remember how everything was so GIANT? Parents' shoes, couches, cereal boxes, dogs...Then one day, in fifth grade, I put on a pair of wedges and all of a sudden I felt GIANT. My feet seemed so far from my head!

But honestly, I can't remember what it felt like to be physically small. I mostly just remember all the fun games, toys, and foods! So many mini things…guess that was something we could relate to as kids. Polly Pockets, Barbie accessories, those ride-on Power Wheels Fisher-Price Jeeps, mini Eggo's, and mini muffins!

Sneak Eats [5/17/13]

I think an apartment can tell a lot about a person. Currently, mine is littered with dirty (some clean) clothes, shoes, and dishes. It's been super busy around these parts, hence my complete lack of sticking to a posting schedule. It's disappointing when I was so excited and dedicated to it earlier this year! But the truth is, life's unpredictable and some sacrifice is necessary to have a well-balanced life.

My job situation has been a bit suffocating as of late, so it's been incredibly refreshing to give up some fitness and blogging time for social activities. Each evening with friends has reminded me more and more of who I am and the positive aspects of my life here in Richmond---its funny how easy it is to lose sight of these things.

Here's what I've been eating, making, doing...

1 - The Sunday before last was RVA Swapper's May event. The theme was gluten-free, so I tried to un-glutenize my graham cracker recipe, and packaged them with homemade mini marshmallows for a s'mores kit! The crackers were made with mixture of all-purpose gluten-free flour and almond meal, which I thought was good, minus the super grainy & crumbly texture. I swapped my little kits for some fab goodies including: gluten/sugar/dairy-free chocolate mousse, sweet potato cookies, Vietnamese marinade, granola bars, and freshly-roasted coffee beans.

2 - I've been on a serious pineapple bender lately. My favorite breakfast has been yogurt parfaits with plain Chobani + mashed banana, pineapple, shredded coconut, and puffed quinoa. So tropically delicious!

3 - Ok, I did bake once this week. Although, I'm not sure it counts since I ate practically half the dough rather than baking it. Momofuku's peanut butter cookies (recipe via the baker chick), plus chocolate ganache swirls...I should've known better.

4 & 5 - Boyfriend and I attended a garden party fundraiser in downtown Richmond last night. During the event, we walked to 5 beautiful gardens (totally hidden gems) to sample small plates and different alcohol offerings from local restaurants/companies. Although the evening started with a small downpour, the skies cleared and we had a great time drinking and visiting with his family and friends.

Today's agenda includes leaving early to drive to a Billy Currington concert in my hometown of Fredricksburg tonight. I love ending a long spring workweek with live music outside and a ice-cold beverage <3

Chewy Cornmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

You say it's National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day?! My plan was to post these cookies before I even found out about the holiday. Let's call it foodies' intuition...

After last Monday's optimism, the week turned out unexpectedly overcast and rainy off-and-on. So when last Tuesday's "homemade dinner" date night with Boyfriend came around, the menu included something ooey-gooey-carby that I'd like to call Old Bay shrimp macaroni and cheese. HOLY MOLEY. The dish lived up to my expectations and imagination--and I'd gladly make this every week, if only there was an automated shrimp de-veining tool on the market. That task is way too tedious!

For dessert (how could we possibly have room for dessert?!), I baked a few of these chewy cornmeal chocolate chip cookies from some reserved dough in my freezer.

2013 Personal Development Goals: Four Months Down

(Click here to read my 2013 Goals post from January!) 

Last Friday, I reviewed the progress I've made with my food goals since January. Today is the (somewhat dreaded) review of personal development goals! These goals are a bit more of a work-in-progress because, unlike baking, they can't simply be taken care of on a whim in my apartment. They require more effort, time, and money. With that in mind...

Like in 2012, I made a few running goals to physically challenge myself and help keep my fitness level strong throughout the year. Specifically, I want to run 4 races of varying distances. In March, I completed my second Monument Avenue 10K race with a time of 0:51:26 (4 minutes faster than two years ago!). The following week I ran the Hardywood Twilight 4 Miler. This was a new race hosted by a Richmond brewery and the concept was total fun: it was an afterwork race on a Thursday that ended with beer and a food truck court. It was an extremely social event; and you could tell everyone was having fun with it, chatting along the course. Even though it wasn't timed, I tried to push myself and completed the run with a pace I was happy with.

[Meatless Monday] Lemony Spring Veggie Quinoa Salad (with Ricotta!)

I'm feeling really optimistic about this week! The last two have been coolish here in Richmond, Virginia but this week's forecast "seems" to be slightly warmer and sunnier. Another positive: Boyfriend is finishing up his last two law school exams on Friday, and then he'll officially be a 2L and on summer break!

I'm also looking forward to a fresh start to eating this week, as lately I've seriously let my sugar tooth get the best of me. My body is in need of detox of fresh foods, and I am hoping that my willpower will oblige it.

This salad? It's the perfect example of what I'm hoping to fill my body with, here on out.