Friday Favorites 10/17/14

Hello friends!

Hope you're taking some time this weekend to rest and recharge. Although I'm working Saturday, (which really isn't a bad thing when you love what you do) I've got Sunday all to myself. Scott and I are planning on camping with the pups somewhere nearby - would love any suggestions! Of course, I've got a healthy take on s'mores already planned.

I won't lie, I kind of feel like wonder woman this week. As I mentioned before, I'm not exactly the most athletic. Healthy eating habits are ingrained in my daily life, but exercise is something I struggle with doing consistently. For the past two weeks, I've managed to work out every day (except today, whoops!) and even pushed myself to try new workouts. Last week, a friend and I got our hineys out of bed at 5:30 for an early class at Barre3's grand opening. Holy burning thighs it was a workout! This week, I took a couple hot yoga classes for the first time. I've been practicing yoga a couple years now and this was by far the most challenging class I've ever taken, but in a good way! I had no clue I could hold a steady standing bow while dripping with sweat. Only negative - I'm pretty sure I have to burn my yoga mat. But on a positive note, my post-Bikram boiled peanut cravings gave me a great idea for a hot new sports drink - boiled peanut juice! Patent pending, y'all.

Check out my favorite recipes and links from around the web. For more throughout the week, follow me on facebook and twitter.

Photo Credit: Kristy from Keepin it Kind

Chipotle Chile Con Tempeh (Keepin It Kind) --> Most recipes for vegan chile just taste like spicy canned tomatoes and beans. Booo-ring. This chile, with all sorts of goodies like sriracha, liquid aminos, chipotle chiles, molasses, and liquid smoke seems pretty fantastic.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Bars (Uproot from Oregon) --> With less than 1/2 cup of sugar in the entire recipe, these bars are surprisingly healthy!

Photo Credit: Marisa of Uproot From Oregon

Maple Pumpkin Parfaits (Oh My Veggies) --> I'm enabling this whole pumpkin thing, aren't I? This one is made from layers of cashew coconut cream, pumpkin-maple cream and plenty of crunchy bits.

Photo Credit: Lindsay of Oh My Veggies

Black Beans With Salsa Roja, Kale Salsa Verde And A Poached Egg (Not Eating Out In New York) --> I want to eat the computer screen.

Photo Credit: Cathy of Not Eating Out In New York

Butternut Squash Stuffed Mushrooms With Goat Cheese And Balsamic Glaze (The Clever Carrot) --> Most people will eat portobello steaks in lieu of meat. Stuff it with butternut squash and goat cheese and even the biggest carnivores won't turn it down.

Photo Credit: Emile of The Clever Carrot

30 Days Of Five Ingredient Vegetarian Dinners (Oh My Veggies) --> See, eating healthy doesn't have to be difficult.

Turnip For What (Instagram via FLOTUS) --> I'm easily entertained. Watched this video at least 6 times (and maybe danced a little bit)

11 Surprising Facts About Eating Protein (Buzzfeed) --> For a Buzzfeed article about nutrition, this is surprisingly accurate. Protein is important, but chances are you're already eating more than enough, even on a plant based diet.

Mediterranean Diet, Olive Oil and Nuts Helps Reverse Metabolic Syndrome (Science Daily) --> If I had to pick a mainstream diet to follow, the Mediterranean diet would be it. Just make sure it's the real Mediterranean diet, not the Olive Garden version.

8 Things Happy People Do Each Morning (Mind Body Green) --> A happy day starts with a happy morning. I do 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and sometimes 5 and never 6. What about you?

The Survivors: Liberians Who Recovered From Ebola (Yahoo) --> Everyone seems to be flipping out about ebola. It's understandable to a point, because it's a horrible disease. Luckily, it's something 99.99999% of us don't have to worry about - but not if you live in West Africa. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is one of my favorite organizations and they are doing incredible work, risking their lives on a daily basis. I highly suggest looking at these beautiful portraits of survivors that wouldn't be here without MSF, then donate so they can continue to save lives.

This week on Avocado:

When Is It Worth It To Splurge On Unhealthy Food?  
Crispy Potatoes With Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Saturday Six (Oh My Veggies)
Bean Bytes (The Lean Green Bean)