The First Annual Nor-Cal Fit Bloggin’

Yesterday was seriously a whirlwind, but, ridiculously FUN day! My morning was ultra-productive. 

I cleaned the house, did laundry and kept up with my commitment to my AMAZING friend to do the Couch to 5K. 

She is running her 1st 5K (Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving) and I am doing the C25K with her. SHE is the reason I get my run on most mornings and she is 100 million % rockin’ it!

After running, I was craving the craziest, but, tastiest breakfast I’ve had in a awhile.

I knew TWO things I wanted…..my FAVORITE hummus ever from The Hummus Guy.

I pick this Black Bean with Chipotle Harissa Hummus up at my local Farmer’s Market.

1 points+ for TWO Tablespoons.

Plus a “Crispy” Morning Star ChikPatty ~ I LOVE these because they really do taste like “fried chicken”. (4 points+)

All on top of two slices Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain Bread (8 points+).

It’s totally like a Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich with a creamy sauce and sweet bread.

After breakfast, I was off to pick up Tracey of TJ’s Test Kitchen to head off to the First Ever Fit Bloggin’11 Nor Cal Meet up.

The Fit Bloggin’ Local MeetUp is an extension of the annual Fit Bloggin’ Conference held by Roni.  She encouraged everyone for all over the world to host their own local meet up on July 9th to continue the fun.

Thanks to Susan ~ Foodie McBody for hosting it at her house.

Her house is absolutely amazing ~ it’s totally like being in a cabin in Lake Tahoe.

If this was my table, you would totally see so many of my food pics on it ~ I LOVE it!

Then again, I pretty much want her kitchen too   Is it funny to say that the kitchen (especially if it has a pantry) is my FAVORITE room in the house.

After everyone came back from a 3 mile hike around the park, the food came out. 

We decided to do a “Potluck” so everyone could bring and share one of their favorite HEALTHY treats.

Oh….all the cameras came out as soon as the food hit to table too.  I LOVE Food Bloggers!!!

Here is the lowdown on all the deliciousness that was served.  I WISH I had room to try it all, but, I really tried to focus on the things I couldn’t get all the time and that I really wanted.

Chobani showed up for the party too

Plus some Booty!

I was intrigued by the little notes/recipes that everyone put up to show how to eat their treats.

I am ALL over trying anything that will change my life!

I have to admit that the combination of the creamy, yet, tart greek yogurt topped with the caramel like brown sugar and crunchy, sweet strawberry is incredibly delicious.

It might just be my new thing to eat this summer.

My Vegan Pasta Salad ~ only 4 points+ a cup.

Brown Rice ChickPea Salad

I will be the first to admit I was a little scared to try Shrimp Ceviche because it made me think of Gazpacho which I do not really dig too much.

However, I have to say I am  HUGE fan of THIS Shrimp Ceviche from Cooking Light ~ it was slightly spicy, slightly sweet and totally refreshing like shrimp cocktail.

Tracey’s fantastic fruit display with marshmallow yogurt dip!

You when Tracey & I first met, I knew we were meant to be really great friends because together we have a matching place setting.

She has the bowl and I have the coffee cup, salad plate and dinner plate.  

The ironic part, we both only have one each that we bought to show food pics ~ ;like minds!

Desserts!

I do LOVE that we unintentionally put the veggie tray in the midst of all the desserts….lol.

Angel Food Cake!

Banana Nut Bread topped with Nutella!

Fresh Strawberry Pie!

Lemon Bars!

The Red, Dark & Blue + Red, White& Blue Cookies Tracey and I made (2 points+ each)

My Plate #1 ~ everything I was craving and that I knew the points+ for. (4 points+ for all of this!)

LOVE!!! I am totally making this…..I wish I could give you all a sample right here to try.

BBQ Chicken Mango Aidell’s Sausage (4 points+) plus a little taste of the brown rice salad.

Dessert!  What can I say ~ I am IN LOVE with the Red, White & Blue Cookies….(4 points+)

I think what it is that makes them so good is that it’s like having this buttery, melt in your mouth oatmeal cookie with yogurt covered cranberries and blueberries ~LOVE!

After lunch, I did my little presentation that was about Taking Your Blog To The Next Level.  It was a combination of everything I have learned from all my conferences and tips that I received to share from Zesty Cook.

I had a blast meeting everyone and having new friends that live near by to meet up with.  I cannot wait to get together with these girls again for lunch, shopping, blog chats and more.

Thanks again Susan for being a fantastic host!

Make sure you check out all their blogs ~ if I missed anyone, please let me know and I’ll be glad to add you to the list.

• TJ’s Test Kitchen
• The Healthy Engineer
• Pancakes and Postcards
• Food food body body
• Journey To Marvelous
• Marlene’s Mantra
• Attune Foods
• Terre Pruit ~ the NIA Instructor!
• Weight for Deb
• Way To Wild

Annielies at Attune gave us all these super cool BPA Free Recyclable bowls and Attune Food Pro-Biotic Chocolate Bars!

If you all know Tracey, she LOVES coffee….especially in the afternoon.  But, I learned today she LOVES The Apple Store more….she wanted to go there BEFORE we went to Starbuck’s.

Venti Iced Coconut (2 pumps with 1/2 & 1/2) Americanos (2 points+).

Tracey took me to Eco~Shoppe…I think I might be IN LOVE with store.  There are so many great, environmentally friend things.

We both ended up buying these super cool BPA Free Iced Tea Makers….but, what I LOVE is that you can use them for so much more….INFUSED Water, Lemonade, etc.

After our shopping excursions, we realized we were next to the BEST SUSHI PLACE of all time ~ Yokoso Sushi.

Even on a summer day ~ Miso Soup seems to always hit the spot (2 points+)

Japanese Miso Salad ~ Their dressing is SO GOOD I almost think I could lick the bowl the way I want to every time I have Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette…..it’s probably a good thing we were in public or I might have (3 points+)

We shared Edamame ~ I think its AWESOME you get 1/2 cup edamame in their pods for only 1 points+.

This is the roll I DREAM about…..I could eat this a couple of times a week and NEVER get tired of it.

TUNA STEAK ~ Spicy Crab Meat Topped with Ahi, Avocado, Green Onions, Tobiko SRIRACHA and special sauce made extra spicy for me = LOVE!!

I estimated this based off a Spicy Tuna Roll at 1 points+ a piece.  (8 points+) 

We are busy helping our friends move into their new house today so menu planning may happen tomorrow.  My goal is going to be to shop from our fridge/freezer!

See you all tonight over at Friends for Weight Loss for our 1st challenge to help reach our Labor Day Goals, a new tip and guest recipe.

Have a fantastic Sunday all ~ off to burn some calories movin’ it !