Gluten Free Orange Oat Muffins

Since I royally messed up this recipe a couple months ago, I'd thought I'd give it another go now that I know a little more about gluten free baking. This time I used these ingredients:

• 1/4 cup grape seed oil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp orange carrot juice
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp minced orange peel
• 1 cup almond flour/meal
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup all purpose gluten free baking flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup raisins

Original recipe and cooking directions can be found here.

This muffin recipe really is incredible, definitely my favorite. Sorry blueberry almond meal muffins- I love you but you're in second place now.

Mmmmm Baked Tofu

Tonight I tried baking tofu for the first time. And I'm glad to say it turned out great! I could have eaten the whole pan.

The fried rice recipe is super easy. I made some jasmine rice (1 cup uncooked). Then I heated about 1/3 cup frozen peas and carrots in a wok with some sesame oil. Once hot I added the cooked rice, sweet potato (I baked this while the rice was cooking. Just peel, chop, lightly coat in olive oil and sea salt, and bake at 375 for 20 minutes), 2 tsp sesame oil, and 2 tbsp soy sauce to the wok, and heated until well mixed.

For the tofu I followed these directions, except I marinated in hoisin sauce and baked at 375 degrees.

Fitness Goal Update

I realized it's been quite a while since I mentioned my fitness goals and thought I'd give an update. The one I'm closest to reaching is the half marathon, which is on the 21st. It's been a really rough couple months of training due to knee and foot pain. The last time I was able to run was over a week ago so I decided to cross train while I let my foot rest. Cycling, weight training, and yoga have been helping, along with a new pair of badass shoes. Hopefully I'll be good as new in a couple more days and kick that half marathon's ass!

 Isn't Fort Collins pretty?

In May I'll be part of a team riding in a 12 hour mountain bike race. I've always wanted to do one so I'm super excited! Plus, the western part of Colorado has some of the best mountain bike trails I've ever ridden.

As far as rowing, I've been way too preoccupied with my training to even think about it. I still really want to learn, but it might be an adventure for next Summer. And the Dirty Dash isn't until August so I still have plenty of time to register.

On top of my fitness, I'm still working on getting my tummy to a healthy place. I started seeing a dietician and she has helped me tremendously. I'm finally starting to feel good more often than bad, and it's a lot easier to pinpoint the foods that irritate my gut. And through this whole journey, although extremely tough, I have discovered something pretty awesome... I want to become a Wellness Coach. During the past 5 months I have been at rock bottom and also the most inspired. All I want is to be able to help other people feel good and give them the tools they need to live healthy and balanced lives.