#MeatlessMonday: Coconut Lime Curry Chickpea Stir Fry & a THRIVE Fitness Book #GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday friends!  I had a freaking awesome weekend!  I went for an amazing hike with my favorites Alexis and Jenn.  It was great fun!

And then, Saturday night, we celebrated a friend's 50th birthday party and SD Dad and I enjoyed a night out!  Adults only!  Thanks Mom!

But what you are all here for is this!  I had the honor of reviewing the second edition of Brendan Brazier's book - THRIVE Fitness: The Program for Peak Mental & Physical Strength fueled by clean plant-based whole food recipes!  And I am giving away a copy!

So who is Brendan Brazier and why do we care?  Most important to me, he is the co-founder of my favorite protein brand - Vega!  He’s also a former professional Ironman triathlete and a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion. Brendan is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on plant-based performance nutrition, and therefore works with several NHL, NFL, MLB, UFC, and Olympic athletes. 

As an introduction to the book, I decided to make one of the plant-based recipes he has in his book for #MeatlessMonday!  I love cauliflower, chickpeas and coconut so my selection of the Coconut Lime Curry Chickpea Stir Fry was easy!

It was super easy, super delicious and TASTY!  I modified the above recipe slightly based on ingredients I had at home.

1TBS coconut oil

1 TBS ground ginger

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 a white onion cut into strips

2 cups sliced cauliflower

2 cups torn baby spinach

1/2 tsp each curry powder and turmeric

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp red chili flakes

1/2 tsp salt

1 whole can (15 oz) of chickpeas / garbanzo beans

1 cup coconut milk (full fat)

1 TBS fresh lime juice

1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro

Heat a frying pan to medium-high.  Add the ginger, garlic and coconut oil.  Stir until fragrant but not smoking.  

Turn heat to medium-low and add the vegetables, spices, salt, chickpeas and coconut milk.

Cover and cook for 5 minutes.  Then stir in the lime juice and cilantro.  And serve over rice or quinoa.  

I don't even need to tell you how good this was!  It was spicy and hearty!  By the way, the recipe says 4 small servings.  I liked to call it 2 LARGE servings instead!  

So, now you can win a copy of the book too!  Just follow the easy entry options in the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Contest runs 2/29/2016 to 3/6/2016 at 11:59 P.M. PST

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US & Canada 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  

Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post and/or Rafflecopter display, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.

All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from Vega.

For the first time ever, I am linking up with Deborah and Sarah for Meatless Monday!  Exciting!

I am also linking up with the Weekly Wrap hosted by HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin.  And also with Megan!  

I am back to running and Runching starting on the Leap Year!  I love that today is the 29th of February!  Makes it feel special somehow!  So, do you do Meatless Mondays in your house?  Have you ever heard of Brendan Brazier?  Why do you want to win this book?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

FridayFascinations: Things I am Loving this Week!

TGIF My Friends!  I am super excited because tomorrow, I am hiking with some super special friends.  I am excited because I haven't been outside and sweaty (is that weird?!) since the LA Marathon!  That said, I am excited to bring you the 5 things I am loving this week!

1.  SunButter!

I am so honored to be a SunButter Sunflower Butter Official Blogger.  Ever since I was diagnosed with the peanut allergy, I have become a huge SunButter fan.  In fact, my kids now PREFER it over peanut butter for their lunches!  With my new role, look for recipes and giveaways of SunButter!  YAY!!!

2.  THRIVE Fitness by Brendan Brazier

It is an all new edition of Brendan Brazier's book with a completely new fitness workout plan.  Did you know that Hugh Jackman is a Brazier devotee?  My favorite thing about Brendan?  Yes, he is the guy behind Vega!  And the recipes in the book?  Oh my YUM!

3.  Baked Chicken Breast recipe from Gimme Some Oven

I do meal prep on Sunday nights and I like to make a big batch of these chicken breasts for the week. Instead of the seasoning Ali describes, I use the taco seasoning from Trader Joe's.  Ali's method for cooking these chicken breasts makes them so tender and never dry.  We use them in many ways.  On salads, homemade burrito bowls or as added protein to a grain.  The kids love it too!

4.  The Captain Obvious Runs for President Campaign

This tongue in cheek take on the Presidential Campaign is pretty awesome.  He is all about the photo bomb and live tweeting the debates - all in running shoes!  Check him out!  He is sponsored by Hotels.com.

5.  Tropical Tundra & Vivacity from Spandits

Picture credit: Carrie & Melissa

The newest prints from Spandits have me excited for spring.  What am I talking about?  It is 80 here everyday!  But look how cute these prints are?  Don't you think that the Tropical Tundra would be super cute for a St. Patricks Day run?  And Spandits is talking about letting us order these thermal prints as skirts!  Say what and how cute?!  Remember, if you want to order anything on the site, use code SPANDITSLOVE for 10% of your first purchase.  And tell them Smitha sent you!

Before I forget, I am linking up with  Mar, Courtney and Cynthia - AKA the DC Trifecta, Nicole for Fit & Fashionable Friday and Jill for Fitness, Health & Happiness Link-Up!

So tell me, what are you loving this week?  Make any good recipes you want to share?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Captain Obvious is Running For President! #ObviousPresident

So we have all seen our Facebook and Twitter feeds (somehow Instagram seems immune) fill up with posts and tweets about the Presidential Election happening this year.  While I have very strong opinions on who I will and will not vote for, I have kept it out of the blogosphere.

Instead, I am going to tell you about a man that gives "running" for President a whole new meaning!  He is actually RUNNING!  How can we not LOVE Captain Obvious?

So what does Hotels.com have to do with Captain Obvious and his campaign?  They are helping Captain Obvious during his race because they know he'll need a place to sleep at night. They are providing him everything he needs for his run, including running shoes.

He is literally running from state to state.  You can read all about what he thinks of your state here.  Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have made it to Southern California!  But you can check out his video where he announces he is "Running" for President!

You can also follow Captain Obvious on Twitter as he launches a campaign for the White House - all while wearing running shoes.  See why I love him?  He will be photo bombing newscasts and live tweeting the debates.  Make sure to follow him on Twitter too!

So, see?  He is the ideal candidate!  He doesn't take himself too seriously and wears running shoes.  Check him out and see where he will pop up next!  It will be great fun following him around the country!

So did you see what Captain Obvious said about your home state?  Have you ever used Hotels.com?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Wednesday #GIVEAWAY Roundup - #WinAllThePrizes

Happy Wednesday Friends!  You guys are KILLING it with these giveaways!  We had 58 giveaways linked up with us last week!  How fun!

I have a couple GIVEAWAYS on right now!  The first is for GO CUBES.  You can win them before you can actually buy them!

What are GO CUBES?  Chewable coffee.  30 calories.  2 cubes = 1 cup of coffee.  Like a coffee flavored gummy square.  They come in three flavors: drip, latte and mocha.  I am not a fan of the drip but I like the other two.  They work great for a pick me up at the afternoon slump!

Enter today because this one ends on 2/25!  Enter over on Instagram here.

I am also giving away 3 JARS OF NUTTZO!  In my past peanut eating life, this was the best stuff on earth.  And so my loss is your gain!

Enter to win here.  (ends 2/28)

Okay, now on to the Giveaway Roundup with me and Erica where all the best giveaways on these inter webs reside.  So make sure you link up your giveaway and enter to #WinAllThePrizes!  Remember, the rules can be found here.

If you link up, please make sure to add the end date!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom   

An InLinkz Link-up

Race Etiquette: How to run a race without PI$$ING anyone off!

Hi Friends!  As you know, I ran the LA Marathon on Valentine's Day.  Something super cool about the LA Marathon?  They had 100s of students running the Marathon as part of Students Run LA or SRLA.  We saw hundreds of kids in their bright yellow shirts / tanks running the marathon distance for the first time.  They had to be at least 16 on race day in order to run.

I got to thinking how there are a few things you don't learn while marathon training.  Sure, you learn how to put in the miles but you don't learn runner etiquette.  That comes with experience.  So with that I bring you my Rules for Road or how to Run a Race without PI$$ING anyone off!

1.  Run in the middle, walk to the side!

This is a simple one.  If you are going to run, stick to the center if you can so the walkers can pull over, so to speak.  If you decide to slow to a walk or even a stop, PLEASE for all that is holy in the world, don't just come to a dead stop!  Look around you and just as you would in a car, slowly make your way over to the side before slamming on your breaks!

2.  Trash goes on the side of the Road

Again, this should be an easy one.  When you run by an aid station and grab water, you drink the water and then throw the cup on the SIDE of the road.  Not in front of you.  Never in front of you.  If I had a $1 for every time I saw a banana peel or a water cup or a GU wrapper right in front of me in the middle of the road on the course, I could run LAM lifetime for free!  And if you can make a trash can, extra points!

3.  Thank the Volunteers!

You think you woke up early to go run the course?  Well, the volunteers did too and they don't get a big shiny medal at the end.  They aren't getting paid.  All that course support? Completely voluntary! So thank them for it.  Every time you stop at an aid station, thank them.  Without them, the race isn't possible.

4.  Fast Runners: Don't Take All the Goodies at the End!

As a middle to back of the pack runner, I am constantly reminded that there were better goodies available if I had just crossed the finish line a little bit earlier.  And why?  Because the faster runners load their arms with all the goodies.  I know not all fast runners do this and I know that some of the fault lies with the race directors for not stocking enough, but please leave some of the popsicles / space blankets/ protein bars for us slower runners.

5.  SMILE!

If you see someone struggling towards the end of the course, smile at them.  It goes a long way!  A smile doesn't cost you time and this running thing is supposed to be fun.  So let's do these miles with smiles.  Sounds cliche I know but sometimes a smile during a long hard run or during a race is all I need to be able to run just 1 minute more.  A smile goes a long way!  So just like the take a penny, leave a penny dish, Take a Smile and Leave a Smile too!

I am linking up this post with Tuesdays on the Run blog link up with My No-Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs and Marcia's Healthy Slice!

So tell me, what are your thoughts on the above?  What would you add to this list?  Do you fast runners hate me now?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

My Favorite Finds from the Gluten Free Allergy Free Expo and a Nuttzo #GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday my friends!  I am a little embarrassed to tell you that I ran ZERO miles this week.  But I will tell you - I feel good.  I have been sleeping the full 7 and resting.  Which means, when I come back, I will be refreshed and energized!  Right?!

I did get a chance to squeeze in a haircut and head to the Gluten Free Allergy Free Expo on Saturday. I won tickets thru SunButter and my eyes are now WIDE OPEN!  If there is one near you, I highly recommend it!  The best thing about these fairs is being able to try products that you normally wouldn't find in a store near you.  

The fair happened at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and was held Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I was recently diagnosed with a moderate wheat allergy and a mild peanut allergy so this fair was perfect for me!

So I am going to walk you through my experience at the fair and highlight my favorites.  

And read all the way through for the GIVEAWAY at the end.

They had goody bags for every single attendee.  (Single day tickets started at $15 for adults)

And a photo booth...of course!

My first stop and my newest peanut free love - SunButter!

1.  SunButter

I met the super awesome Juli at the booth.  Which means - GIVEAWAY coming soon!

Have you ever tried SunButter?  It tastes just like peanut butter except a little saltier.  Ever since we replaced peanut butter in our house, the kids have LOVED it and ask for it even when PB is an option.  (Both my kids' best friends have peanut allergies and they have to have an alternative if they want to sit with them at lunch)

2.  SuperSeedz

This time it is pumpkin seeds and not sunflower seeds.  I tasted these SuperSeedz for the first time after the Phoenix Marathon. I think back then they had three flavors.  Now they have a ton including Tomato Italiano.  Great alternative to eating nuts.  They are gluten and tree nut free.

I buy mine at Sprouts but they are available on Amazon.

3.  Feel Good Foods

One of the things I miss most about being wheat free is soy sauce.  And with soy sauce comes my favorite - Chinese food!  I miss pot stickers and egg rolls.  No worries any more!

How good do these look?  And the veggie versions are vegan too!

4.  Beanfields Snacks

These are not new but they are delicious.  When you need a snack or a delicious crunch, these are awesome.  They have 6 grams of fiber and 5grams of protein.  They are vegan and gluten free.

Lots of fun flavors including Pico De Gallo, Nacho and Salt & Pepper.  (I am a sucker for salt & pepper anything!)

5.  LIVE Kombucha

This isn't really a peanut or wheat substitute but it is a healthy alternative to soda.  Kombucha is a fermented average which means it has tons of good gut bacteria in there.  LIVE makes their kombucha taste like soda and makes different flavors including my three favorites - Cola, Ginger and Root Beer.

And yes, they taste like their soda counterparts.  I get mine locally at Jimbo's.

6.  SAN-J Tamari

Remember when I aid I miss Chinese food?  Well, I am so thankful for San-J's tamarin based products including their Tamari (wheat free soy sauce - side note: traditional soy sauce is wheat based.  Check your labels!).  We use the Tamari Ginger or Tamari Sesame at least 1-2 times a week.  Their sauces are delicious and gluten free.  

They are also peanut free with the exception of the Tamari Peanut.  I buy them locally at Ralph's Grocery.  

7.  Smart Flour Pizza

Of course the food that every newly minted Gluten Free person misses is Pizza!  Well, Smart Flour was my favorite of the three different pizzas we tried at the Expo.  They use a blend of amaranth, teff and sorghum to create a pretty darn good facsimile of pizza.

My favorite flavor was by far the Tuscan Two Meat.  It had peppercinis in it!  It is available locally at Sprouts, Bristol Farms and Ralphs.

8.  Glutino's Pretzels

So during really long runs, Jenn likes to eat pretzels.  And before I was diagnosed I would always beg her for some.  A salty carby snack while running is key!  Thanks to Glutino's I won't have to go without pretzels.  

This was one of the foods I ate where I was surprised they were gluten free.  "These don't taste gluten free."  Whatever that means!  These are available locally pretty much anywhere.

9.  Udi's Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan

This was probably the best savory new thing I tasted at the Expo.  Holy YUM!  You couldn't tell it was gluten free at all.  Really good flavor, cheesy and delicious.

I couldn't get a picture of the actual food because there was a crowd around the booth but suffice it to say that the food looked and tasted better than it looks on the package.  I get mine locally at Target.

10.  IG Bakery Carrot Loaf with Cheesecake Topping

Carrot Cake.  Don't let them fool you and call this a loaf.  It is cake and it is delicious and all the words that cake should be.  Yes, like MOIST!  

This one is available locally at Whole Foods but there isn't one real close.  Luckily, they do an online sales too!

11.  Honey Stinger Gluten Free Waffles

I have loved these forever and I have been DYING to try their gluten free version.  And yes, they are every bot as delicious as their regular variety.  I think their maple flavor is my favorite.  

I like to have 1/2 a waffle about 1 hour before I work out and the other 1/2 at the halfway point of a super long run over 20 miles.  

12.  Potapas

These are amazing!  When I was in law school, we went to a bar called Nick's in Pacific Beach and they had these amazing potato quesadillas.  That is what these taste like except no cheese and gluten free.  A little healthier and made out of potatoes and garbanzo bean flour.  So more protein than a regular tortilla.

They are a local San Diego company and I love them.  The people are super nice and their tortillas make me want to cry with joy!  They even have a sweet potato version.  You can find them locally at Jimbos and Sprouts!

There were so many other awesome products there.  I wish I could go back again and again to make sure I give each booth fair time.  But I think I tasted everything once and the above 12 are my favorite takeaways.  BUT WAIT!  A little tiny story about Nuttzo.  

Bonus: Nuttzo

For 2014-2015, I was lucky enough to call myself a Nuttzo Ambassador.  Unfortunately, since I was diagnosed with my peanut allergy, I had to step down.  Not fair to promote a brand that I couldn't eat. (Yes, Nuttzo has a peanut free version made in a completely peanut free facility!).  

I am heartbroken.  The stuff is delicious.  Especially my Peruvian chocolate Nuttzo.  But my loss is your gain.  I am giving away 3 jars of Nuttzo for you to enjoy!  (I will be sending coupons so there should be a store that sells Nuttzo near you.  In my area, Sprouts and Whole Foods sell them)  Enter on the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 2/22/2016 to 2/28/2016 at 11:59 P.M. PST

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  Winner will receive the 3 coupons for 3 free jars as mentioned above.

Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post and/or Rafflecopter display, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.

All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from SD Mom.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of the US Postal Service to deliver product.

I am again linking up with the Weekly Wrap hosted by HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin.  And also with Megan!  

So tell me about your weekend?  Are you tapering?  Have you found any wheat or peanut free products you want to share with me?  Have you tried any of the above?  What is your favorite Nuttzo flavor?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom