Sunday Morning Rain is [NOT] Falling :)

Hello all,

Today was a beautiful day in Baltimore. I started my day with 8tracks radio - like it more than Pandora or Spotify. My best friend from Pittsburgh, Jessi, introduced me to it. Miss you O.P.! Seriously though, give 8tracks a go: http://8tracks.com. 

For breakfast I had a Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie. I had to work with the ingredients to find my taste preference. 

A great way to start your day, everyday. Yum!

I measured everything out and here is the recipe as follows:

2 cups cubed ice

10 medium Strawberries   

1 tbsp Milled Flax Seed 

1 Banana, Medium

1/4 cup Dannon Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt

1/2 cup water (or 100% apple juice)

1 tbsp Smucker Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

(Makes about 4 cups)

I throw everything in the blender and "pulse" on ice crush mode. I like my smoothies to be a little thicker with crushed ice prevalent throughout (not the smooth, soupy consistency). The term smoothie does not exactly prevail in my case. Obviously, you can manipulate the ingredients based on your taste preferences. For instance, I use the 1/2 cup water, because I think the sugars from the strawberries suffice, but you may think differently so in that case just add some juice. 

While at Walmart, I found this plastic double insulated, 20 oz mason tumbler (in above pic) and had to get it. I believe it cost about $10. Well worth it. Super cute, easy to clean, and keeps liquids cool.

I also used food labels and http://www.calorieking.com to record the kcal's for you just in case you were curious. Always use a food label first, but if there is not one to be found, then calorieking is okay too.

10 medium Strawberries: ~38 kcals

1 tbsp Milled Flax Seed: ~30 kcals

1 Banana, medium: ~105 kcals

1/4 cup Dannon Lowfat Vanilla yogurt: ~50 kcals

1 tbsp Smucker Natural Creamy PB: ~105 kcals

TOTAL: 328 kcals

328 nutrient-dense kcals to kick your metabolism into gear and restore your body's fuel source. Much better alternative than a strawberry poptart (~190 kcals for 1 pastry)... but who are we kidding, 2 pastries come in that foil wrap and we eat both leading to ~380 kcals of lots of sugar and little nutrients. Not to mention, who is really satisfied after two little pastries? 

Now I am going to switch the topic. Take a look at some snap shots of Baltimore I captured on my walk today. If you have not seen the Inner Harbor, you should really make a trip. 

Taken near the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. Shows part of Federal Hill and The Rusty Scupper Restaurant.

Panoramic capture at the Inner Harbor, outside the Science Center.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Goodnight.

Liz