Aaaaaand just like that, the weekend is over. Happy Monday!
Did you know that Friday was National Donut Day? I didn’t celebrate because 1) I’m not a huge donut person (I still need to get my hand on a cronut, though!) 2) I don’t own a donut pan, and 3) I’m 110% certain I couldn’t make a gluten free version myself.
I did celebrate National Cinnamon Bun Pancake Day on Saturday, though!
Okay, I totally made that up. According to this list, no day is dedicated to the buttery, soft, sweet, syrupy amazingness that is cinnamon bun pancakes. Talk about tragic. They totally deserve their own day! I did, however, dig into a stack of cinnamon bun pancakes Saturday morning. And I’m not making that up.
Cinnamon Bun Protein Pancakes
serves one.
Ingredients
1/3 cup oats
1/2 scoop cinnamon swirl whey (or vanilla)
2 egg whites
1 T. coconut flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 T. Greek yogurt
2 T. applesauce
1 T. almond milk
1/4 t. cinnamon
10 drops vanilla or cinnamon stevia
Directions
1. Mix ingredients for the pancakes in a blender.
2. Use your MASTER pancake-cooking skillzzzz!
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Those pancakes may have been my favorite meal all weekend, however they had some serious competition.
Oh, hello, ooey gooey grilled cheese!
I ’m probably the only 27-year-old nutrition student and wannabe foodie who eats grilled cheese sandwiches with carrots and ranch dressing dip. This is embarrassing.
But in my defense, the bread was whole grain; the cheese was organic; and the dressing was made with Greek yogurt. Does that redeem me as a healthy living blogger?
Actually, don’t answer that. 
The very very best meal I ate over the weekend, however, happened Friday night, when I met my high school bestie (and bride-t0-be) at Barbacoa for a two hour gab, gossip and wedding planning sesh (the big day is just two weeks away!).
Barbacoa is my favorite restaurant in Boise for multiple reasons.
1) An absolutely GOOOORGEOUS location.
2). Servers accommodate strange drink orders.
I asked for a mojito made without sugar, extra lime, and light alcohol. Because one drink is more than enough to do this lightweight in for the night.
3). Guacamole carts (and guapo guacamole-makers) are wheeled to your table.
Ohmygaw, so good.
4). The serve up the largest, most succulent shrimp ever.
You may remember me ordering it a few months ago when I visited Barbacoa with my dad. I may be mistaken, but I think they were even bigger this time around.
5). Fresh seasonal salads!
6). Crazy creative desserts.
Okay, so we didn’t order dessert this time, but I tried Barbacoa’s fried ice cream pops last summer, and they were absolutely incredible.
Katie and I had some major catching up to do because we hadn’t seen each other since December. I’m the maid of honor in her wedding, so I’ve been busy planning bachelorette festivities the past few weeks. I love this girl so so much. Even though we’re not able to see each other very often, when we get together, it feels like we never spent a minute apart; we’re able to pick up right where we left off!
I feel so blessed to have her in my life, and can’t wait to celebrate this huge milestone with her. Montana barn wedding, here we come!
*****
Saturday morning kicked off with an early easy four mile interval run.
But the running didn’t stop there; I ended up running errands all day. The highlight was hitting the farmer’s market for fresh produce, where I also managed to snag a few samples…
and a pretty awesome lunch.
Tilapia tacos! These were made with fresh-caught tilapia, salsa verde, queso fresco, and cilantro. The only thing that could have possibly made them better would have been a healthy helping (aka: huge blob) of guacamole.
Later that evening, I enjoyed my weekly ice cream fix. However instead of going out, I opted for a more intimate experience with Haagen Dazs.
So indulgent. So worth it.
I bought this new-to-me flavor a few weeks ago, and now it’s all gone. Sigh. I guess all good things must come to an end. But only for the time being. I will definitely be buying another pint soon!
Another good thing that must come to an end, but only for the time being, is….this blog.
Okay, not really an end…more like a vacation.
Over the past three years this space has become my creative outlet, my baby…my love. Sharing my life —eats, workouts, pins, crazy rambles and all—-with you brings me insurmountable JOY. More importantly, though, are the connections and friendships I’ve made in the blogging community.
HLS 2011
These friendships are true blessings.
However I’ve realized that this summer, I need to focus on the things and people who need me most right now, where I am right now; I need to spend more time making long-held dreams become reality; I need to refocus, re-prioritize, rest, grow, pray, and simply LIVE more life away from the computer screen.
But only for a few months. I can’t imagine life without you guys! The blogging community makes me complete. Your comments, tweets, and emails bring huge smiles to my face every single day. Writing, sharing, and cultivating friendships here is my passion!
HLS 2012
Sidenote: are any of you going to The Healthy Living Summit this year? I am! 
HLS 2012
Which is why this will merely be a break. I promise I’ll be back. With 110% certainty.
Unless, that is, Prince Charming comes galloping to my door, swoops me off my feet, and we elope in Fiji. If that happens, I might not return.
Initially I considered taking acomplete break, but the thought of disconnecting completely made me want to cry a river! So instead, I’m merely going to scale back.
Deep breath. I can do this.
So here’s the plan: instead of posting three times/week, I’ll pop in once or twice during the months of July and August, and then return to regular blogging in September.
When I come back full time, I’ll likely be living in a new apartment (in a new city!), and embarking upon a new journey.
Even though I won’t be blogging regularly this summer, I will be popping into Twitter and Instagram, and sharing recipes and workouts on a regular basis. If you have an IG account, please please please stay in touch with me there? And if you don’t have an IG account, please please please get one right this second, so that I can keep telling you you how much I love you.
Pretty please with a cherry on top?
No words can describe how difficult this decision has been. Blogging brings me infinite happiness, and sharing in your happiness is something I value so so much. For those of you who blog, don’t worry; I’ll still be stopping by your blogs from time to time to gawk over the amazing food you create and the inspiring lives you lead.
I PROMISE I’ll be back to say hi in July…and back back for GOOD in September. Just promise me you’ll still be here?
I love you all!!!
HUGS!
This post was part of Marvelous in My Monday, hosted by the beautiful Katie at Healthy Diva Life. Make sure to swing by and say hi to the marvelous (about to have a baby) mama!
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I want to know…
What’s your favorite “this could totally discredit me as a healthy eater” meal?
Grilled cheese (with lots of butter on the bread) or macaroni and cheese. I can’t decide!
Bloggers: have you ever taken a break from writing? If not, have you ever been *tempted* to take a break? Do you find it’s hard to keep a good balance between “real life” and blogging life?
What’s the best thing you ate over the weekend?
Will you be attending HLS this summer? Tell me YOUR summer plans!
{ 62 comments }
crunchy.
