Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Now that “Takes the Cake”….

Hi ya! I’m feeling kinda loony right now. I think lack of sleep and Cedar allergies will do that to you. Nothing a glass of wine can’t cure, right?
Anyway, lets talk about today! I took the hubs to the airport early this morning (5am). He had to leave early for 70.3 World Champs in Clearwater Florida. Due to work, I stayed and will fly out to meet him tomorrow. Now, about 3 weeks ago, our plan was for the hubs to race with the rest of the pros and try to make top 10 in order to finish the season with a bang. Sounded like a GREAT plan to me! Little did I know what was lurking around the corner. Two weeks ago, the hubs was feeling a little “pain” in the knee. He played it safe and didn’t run for a week. Then once he felt ready to run, he went at it still being cautious. The pain came back and once again he stopped running and then eventually stopped biking. We knew that this little pain (bursitis) could easily get a temporary fix with a cortisone shot, but what would that entail for the off season? It might just make it worse after the race! After much prayer and thought, he (we) decided that it wasn’t worth the risk of racing. It was time to heal, recover, and focus on being at his best for the 2011 season!! Thankfully the hubs has great PT and Massage therapists working on him and he’ll be back to training in no time. But for now, we decided that we would still go to Clearwater and support sponsors and fellow athletes that are competing! We were going to “take the cake” (in a good way) on this trip.
Let me expand on that. According to ANSWERS.COM the expression Take the Cake means: to be the most outstanding in some respect, either the best or the worst.
So there you have it. What was suppose to be the “grand finale” of races for the season has been taken away from us. Are we disappointed about the situation, of course! It’s only natural to be, but what’s really important now is how we handle this situation. And taking the cake it is! We will actually have a trip that does not involve training or bike fees. Our time will be spent with good people and thanking those who have supported James’ career. We will see old friends and laugh about good times! We will enjoy each other and the walks on the beach. But most importantly, we will embrace the time we have to heal (physically) and reflect on what God has blessed us with.
If that isn’t taking the cake, I don’t know what is. Hehe!
Speaking of Cake…..I don’t travel without homemade goodies in tow. Therefore, I decided to make a batch of protein bars to have at our condo. My friend Kelly sent me THIS recipe a while back and today I decided to tweak it “Cotter Style!”

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Bars (gluten free and lactose free)

 Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups vanilla protein powder (whey)
    • 3/4 cup whole oats (I used Bob Mill's GF oats)
    • 1/2 cup brown rice crispies (you can substitute other cereal)
    • 1/5 cup honey
    • 2 heaping tbsps. ground flaxseed meal 
    • 1 cup strawberries (thawed and purred or chopped)
    • 2 tsp sugar substitute (I used stevia)
    • 2/3 cup milk ( is used unsweetened almond milk)
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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Chop oats and crispies in food processor or blender
  3. In large bowl, add all ingredients, mix well.
  4. grease a baking dish or small cake pan and line the bottom with foil (to prevent sticking).
  5. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 22-25 minutes.
  6. Let cool completely before cutting. I used a bigger pan in order to make a thinner bar.
Makes 15 bars. Calories: 88.2 Total Fat: 1.1 g Total Carbs: 13.6 g Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g Protein: 10.0 g
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yummm, cake! Best served covered with Greek yogurt. I’m off to pack and finally get some sleep. But I must ask, how do you take the cake? And what kind of cake would you be? Ya, its corny, but I’m still loony here ya know!
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
The Mission Makeover results are in!! Bre cooked up a storm and made the GF pudding from my last post. Her recipe has quite the twist and sounds amazing! I’ll post her recipe up on the blog soon but for now, go check it out!

40 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow! These look fantastic!! Thanks for posting the recipe!

Bre said...

YUM- I can't wait to test out those bars!
Stay positive and enjoy the beach and sunsets with some wine! Ahhh so cliche but so good! James had a phenomenal season and next year Clearwater will be even better because he has taken the time to heal properly!

Abby said...

I'll be praying for James's knee!

Dorry said...

I love your attitude! I know that y'all must have really had a hard time making this decision but now you get to go enjoy yourselves. I hope you have safe travels and an amazing time!!

Hmmmm, I'd be a strawberry cake with white icing or maybe something with dark chocolate chips. :)

Maggs said...

Yum. I'm a carrot cake gal.

Maggs said...

Oh, and sorry about his knee. I did the cortisone shot route one time...and ran on it (because it felt awesome). I was then laid up for 10 weeks.

april said...

You all have such a great attitude! I think it's great to change negative things to positive..way to go!

And yum!! Those bars look great!

Lets see, if I was a cake..hmm..probably some sort of pb chocolate!

Alisa Cooks said...

Sorry to hear about your husband, what a bummer! Hopefully it will be a speedy and complete recovery!

Enjoy the trip regardless and those yummy, looking bars!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

What a bummer, but seriously you guys have the best attitude about it! I hope it gets better and that is so smart that he is taking it easy and resting for next season! Those bars look so so good!
I would have to say I am devils food cake muhahaha
Get some sleep girl:)

Anonymous said...

I am definitely trying to take the cake in massage therapy school as the BEST massage therapist I can be! I would be yellow cake with some chocolate icing... a home staple of my family's growing up!

Kristina @ spabettie said...

these look amazing... I used to not be a strawberry fan, but I'm loving them these days...

you have such a great attitude and outlook!! you can still go and enjoy... and spend time with people in a different way, relaxed!

...and next year's season will be that much better because he is taking care of himself now.

I'd be a cheese cake. ;)

have a great weekend !!

Chuck said...

I'm glad you and James are still going to Clearwater! I'm hoping to qualify one of these days.

And those bars look great!

Oh yeah, I figured out which bike I'm going to get!

rhodespedal said...

Bummer about the hub's knee pain! Boo... But massive props on your attitudes toward it! I truly feel people are defined by how the handle adversity.

Um, big YUMMO to the recipe posted! Can't wait to try it out! I've been doing Matisse and Jack's so it'll be nice to switch it up!

Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice) said...

Now that is MY kind of cake! Thanks!!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Ok, protein bars sound delish! So sorry your hubby won't be competing, but it sounds like it's the right decision and you guys are going to make the most of the trip. I hope it's a great one and look forward to hearing about it.

Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen said...

Oooh I'm going to have to make those...NOW.

OK, well maybe this weekend. But you know what I mean.

Consider this post bookmarked.

Unknown said...

wow, this looks great. your tempting me to break my grain free eating routine. :) maybe i can tweak it...


Hopefully, James heals up quickly. injuries are frustrating.

Nichole said...

This is an awesome post. First, obviously crushed for your family. Second, so thankful he made such a brave decision - and VERY cool you all are still going, that's awesome. That's the sign of a true athlete:)

Those bars look friggin yummy.I have almost all the ingredients, I kind of think I want to try this out!

TheFitnessFreak said...

I'm glad you're man decided to play it safe and stay off the knee. My husband has bursitis in his knee as well and it bothers him when he rides. Oh, getting older, isn't it great? ;D

The cake looks yummy, thank for the recipe!

Have a great weekend!

Nicole

Anonymous said...

Those bars/cake look so good! I love a dense and hearty cake.

Enjoy your trip!

Anonymous said...

WOW these look great girl!
you are so awesome. i appreciated your email SO MUCH! love you!

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said...

Oh it sounds like you both have the perfect attitude for what must be a frustrating situation ! Take care xx

Mo said...

Those bars sound so good I might have to try them tomorrow.
Good decisions made for you and the hubs. Relax and enjoy the beach, and lots of vino. You both deserve it!

jthomas said...

hi! that protein bar recipe look good. i have been looking through blogs for a while now, checking out healthy recipes and what not. love how you are cooking so clean and healthy. i'm gluten intolerant, but it's SOOO hard to be gluten free!

Unknown said...

tough decision for sure, but a good one i bet. have fun with everyone this weekend!!

must try these bars, too :)

Anonymous said...

These protein bars look awesome!!!!!
xo
Mindy
http://fisilis.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

I HAVE to try those!!! They look and sound soo good :) You always have creative food ideas!

Kris | iheartwellness.com said...

Great blog!! OMG, these bars look freaking fab!

I will totally make these and replace the whey with a vegan source. Strawberries in bars is a wonderful idea :)

xxoo

Eden said...

These look right up my alley, but what is a 1/5 cup of honey?

Alyson @ Nourished Fitness said...

yum, this looks so good, and love the ingredients & stats!

Anonymous said...

How are breast implants a healthy choice?

Holley @ Lunges and Lashes said...

I am making those asap! I love a good recipe packed with protein. Thanks so much for including the nutrition info that is so helpful! Keep the recipes coming! :)

Elpi said...

Your recipe is really fantastic! I will definitely try this at home.

Alyson @ Nourished Fitness said...

yum, this looks so good, and love the ingredients & stats!

krull_etc said...

Lindsay, the paleo version turned out good! http://krullspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/11/paleo-ish-strawberry-shortcake-protein.html

jthomas said...

hi! that protein bar recipe look good. i have been looking through blogs for a while now, checking out healthy recipes and what not. love how you are cooking so clean and healthy. i'm gluten intolerant, but it's SOOO hard to be gluten free!

carascravings said...

Those bars/cake look so good! I love a dense and hearty cake.

Enjoy your trip!

rhodespedal said...

Bummer about the hub's knee pain! Boo... But massive props on your attitudes toward it! I truly feel people are defined by how the handle adversity.

Um, big YUMMO to the recipe posted! Can't wait to try it out! I've been doing Matisse and Jack's so it'll be nice to switch it up!

Dorry said...

I love your attitude! I know that y'all must have really had a hard time making this decision but now you get to go enjoy yourselves. I hope you have safe travels and an amazing time!!

Hmmmm, I'd be a strawberry cake with white icing or maybe something with dark chocolate chips. :)

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