On the Run: fitness made simple

Pomegranate-Persimmon Holiday Pancakes

• Vegan, Gluten-free, sugar-free option, yummy, and look how cute they are! =) 

Happy Holidays everyone! I am alive, well, and sleeping A LOT this week. I’m on winter break and planning to do lots of blogging =) First off, here’s a recipe I made for breakfast. 

1. 1/2 cup Wholesome Chow all-purpose gluten-free baking mix 
2. 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 
3. 1 persimmon
4. Seeds of 1 pomegranate 
5. Water
6. Cooking Spray
7. Brown sugar (sprinkled on top as an optional topping).

I had a sample of pumpkin pancakes made with Wholesome Chow’s baking mix at New Leaf Grocery stores (alternative Whole Foods in northern California) and thought it was really tasty and handy. All you really need to do is add almond milk to make some pancakes! Also, my new favorite Almond Milk brand is Califia Farms. They use pretty much all the same ingredients and preservatives as Silk, Almond Breeze, and Trader Joes, but it somehow it tastes smoother and fresher. It was on sale one day at Andronico’s (reason why I’m broke) and I decided to try it…needless to say I fell for the gimmick and now I’m hooked. I buy it even when it’s full priced for $4.49! -___- 

I love this recipe because the persimmons add natural, understated sweetness and a soft texture. Therefore, you don’t need to add any sugar or butter to make delicious, fluffy pancakes! I haven’t been eating much dairy so I appreciate simple recipes like this that doesn’t use fake butter or margarine (exceptions for dairy & eggs for my friends’ home-made baked goods infused with love and the amazing ice cream I just tried from Bi-Rite Creamery omgodddzz…good thing this place practices moderation through expensive prices and small scoops!).

TIP: Open pomegranates in a big bowl of water. The seeds will sink and the outside bits will float to the top! Learned this from my roomie!

I miss you guys, talk to me! I have lots of ideas and too little time. But, try this recipe out…persimmons and pomegranates are in season! They look festive and I’m sure the whole family will enjoy them. 

Merry Christmas my lovely friends. Let me know what’s challenging for you during the holidays and we can write a post about it! 

<3 Geralds 

Hi Everyone! This is what I’m packing for my main lunch entree this week. Making a salad-in-a-jar is so easy and you feel really accomplished for making such a pretty ensemble. There’s only a couple guidelines to follow: 

1. Dressing first. 
2. Add hardest items next.
3. Top with salad greens. 

Glass jars keep your salads fresher for longer so you can make a few of them at the same time and store in the fridge for each day of the week. I used Annie’s fat-free mango dressing, red beans, organic shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, 1/2 orange each, and organic baby kale. 

Show me your salad jars and have a great Monday!

~Geraldine 

Great guide for green smoothies! This is useful if you want to free-style your smoothies and use whatever that’s on hand. The proportions really help with the consistency and taste. 

Bursting cherry tomatoes make a great topping or garnish for any main dish! I like to serve it over salmon or brown rice to add more flavors and another serving of vegetables. 

A fruit basket is a sweet & classy way to show someone you care while being sensitive to their health concerns. 

It was my birthday yesterday and my thoughtful friend baked me a confetti cake. This caused me realize that if I won’t eat something because I think it’s unhealthy, then I shouldn’t encourage other people to consume it either. I used to give other people (my brother, coworkers, etc.) the cookies, brownies, doughnuts, & cake that I wouldn’t but wanted to eat myself. It was a sick and selfish way to eat vicariously through other people. We should practice what we preach right? I couldn’t bring myself to offer the cake to others because I know it’s not good for them. 

I should have asked my friend to bring me a “Birthday Bunch of Bananas” if she really had give me something edible…However, of course I was appreciative of her time and effort. 

(directions from eHow DIY Fruit Baskets) 

Yoga Mat Carry-on

Attach your yoga mat to the bottom of your backpack using a yoga mat harness strap. (http://www.amazon.com/YogaAccessories-Yoga-Mat-Harness-Strap/dp/B000MPC5WY) Exercise can be a great addition to your vacation! Mixing fitness with fun allows you to try new places and experience a city like never before. 

Labor Day Weekend: I’m going to San Francisco this weekend for my cousin’s wedding. Also, a new hot yoga studio opened up near my house with glowing reviews on Yelp, so I want to try it out! Also, tomorrow, will be my first long run around my hometown! Can’t believe there’s a new way to enjoy the city I grew up in.