Uber winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered my uber bars giveaway!

I used random.org to select a winner from all of the eligible entries and that winner is . . .




runodonnell



Congratulations!!! Email me at felicehalf [at] yahoo [dot] com and I'll get your bars mailed out to you.

I have a big running giveaway coming up next week -- be sure to check back. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

Paleo brownies.

You need these in your life.

For real. These brownies are soooo good and when you eat them, you will swear that there is no way they are sugar-free/grain-free. And yet they are!

I found a recipe for these Magic Brownie Bars on the PaleoOMG site. They looked delicious and since I've been craving dessert, I had to try them. Still wanting to be basically sugar-free with my eating, and not having any coconut flour on hand, I had to change up the recipe a bit but it didn't matter. I've never had the original so I can't compare my version but I do think they are great and they don't miss the extra honey called for in the original recipe.

So . . . here's the recipe:

Ingredients

Brownie layer:
15 dried medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup coconut manna (liquified)
1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa
2 tbs almond flour
3 eggs, whisked
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

Coconut layer:
1-1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
4 tbs coconut manna (liquified)
1 tbs honey
2 egg whites

Directions

Preheat the oven to 365 degrees (yup, that's 365).

Put dates in a food processor and process until they form a clump. Add coconut manna and cocoa and process until smooth.

Add remaining ingredients and process until combined and smooth.

Spread into an 8 x 8 pan lined with greased aluminum foil.

For the coconut layer, mix first 3 ingredients together in a bowl. Add well-whisked egg whites and stir to combine.

Pour topping over the brownie layer and spread to cover the whole surface.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars and enjoy!

YUMMY!

And, OK, OK. They aren't 100% sugar free. But, look, there's only one measly tablespoon of honey in the whole batch. And when you think of that one tablespoon of honey spread across the entire pan of brownies . . . well, that means there's hardly any honey in any given bar. So, really, basically sugar free!

Yes, I am justifying the use of honey!

Try them out for yourself. And let me know what you think!

Have a great day, everyone!

über® bars giveaway.

I have a quick, fun giveaway for you today! 

Do you watch The Biggest Loser? I do. And last week, trainer Jillian Michaels introduced one of the contestants, Danni, to LARABAR's über® bars. 

The super yummy über® bars. These bars are great. I had the opportunity to try the bars out when they were first released and . . . yum! I love the Cherry Cobbler bar. Love.

Anyway . . . in celebration of the shout-out on The Biggest Loser, LARABAR is offering up a giveaway for my readers. Lucky you!

The giveaway

One reader will win 4 über® bars -- 1 of each flavor:

To enter: Just leave me a comment letting me know you want to win. 

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! And, yes, I'll check. (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count) So, here's what to do:

• Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 
• Follow me on Pinterest, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment)  
• Pin the image from this post to share the giveaway on Pinterest (leave a comment)   
• Follow me on Twitter, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 

• Share this post on Twitter using this tweet:

I just entered to win uber bars from @TheHappyRunner and @larabar http://tinyurl.com/bc6444z #giveaway

• Follow me on Instagram, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 
• Link to this giveaway from your blog  (leave a comment)  

This giveaway will run through Thursday, March 7 at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Friday.

Good luck!

February recap.

I'm pretty happy with my running in February. Although it was a short month, I logged over 100 miles, with two 27+ mile weeks. I also got in a few solid interval workouts that I hope will help me run well in my upcoming 4-mile race in March and my half-marathon in April.

The only down-side was my treadmill. I rely on my 'mill for many reasons and I would be devastated if it broke down. And I guess I should get ready for some devastation because my 'mill has started breaking down. 

Ugh.

Twice this past week I tried running fast intervals on the treadmill and both times it konked out. As soon as I sped up to a 7:00min/mile pace, the treadmill just stopped. Completely. After turning the treadmill off and then back on again I was able to run, but only at a slower speed. If I tried to go fast again it would stop. 

So, I don't know what I'm going to do. I need my treadmill for right now and I hope we can get it fixed!

Anyway, here's a look at my month.

February stats:

Running (miles): 102.3
Racing: none
Cross training: 9

Not bad! I'm looking forward to March and getting going with some spring races.

Have a great weekend, everyone!