I feel a little funny. Why? Well, because my butt is not out completing a long run right now. Instead it is sitting and pondering grocery store lists. And yummy meals that will still fit a budget. I foresee a lot more beans in the FFF household this week. Consider yourself lucky that technology has not discovered how to share smells via computer yet. Although how cool?! I would stalk How Sweet all the live long day if anyone ever were to create Smell-A-Blogs. And then cry a river of sadness because you all would certainly not hang around my typically smelly ways.

Now, if you would please forgive my tangent. As I was saying, I’m putting off my long run until tomorrow to give my legs a bit of time to recoup from getting back my workout motivation this week. Yet somehow I still ventured on a family hike this morning?

I may not have much logic for how I rest my legs, but I do have logic when it comes to saving money on food. Free stuff = use it = save money = good. I’m a genius! I should patent this equation along with Smell-A-Blogs and become a millionaire. What’s that you say? Not likely? Now, don't go crushing my dreams!

Ahem. In the name of saving on food, I dug out some of my free Fitbloggin samples for breakfast this morning. A Click Mocha flavored protein drink and a serving of Coach’s Oats.

The Click protein drink serves up a dose of caffeine for energy and a decent balance of carbs (12 g) and protein (15 g) to have as an easy pre or post workout option. <--- We’ll just pretend I ran. 😉 I’m typically a fan of coffee flavored things and this sounded like something I would enjoy. In fact, in my past protein shake chugging days, I would always do a chocolate protein powder mixed with iced coffee. I decided on using the Click in a similar way by blending it up with 3/4 cup each decaf iced coffee and vanilla almond milk.

To balance this out for a full meal, I cooked up the packet of Coach’s Oats using my handy dandy microwave method – add just enough water to cover the oats, a few dashes of cinnamon, and microwave for 3:30 on 50% power. The 50% power is key. Then, I add a little extra almond milk to get it to the consistency I prefer, a small bit of maple syrup for sweetener, and the toppings du’jour.

Thoughts on these products? I liked the Click drink okay. Don’t think I would ever buy it because it didn’t blend into a super smooth consistency, which I prefer. Nevertheless, I’ll still happily use my 3 other packets.

As for the Coach’s Oats…LOVED THEM! They seemed much heartier than my regular rolled oats but still cooked up quickly. I find steel cut oats or a similar option hard for me because they don’t keep a creamy consistency unless you cook them for 10+ minutes on the stove top. And you saw a day in my life yesterday. No time for stirring stove top oats. Or cleaning an extra pan. Because then I wouldn’t have time to share the FFF Features and we wouldn’t want that now, would we?

point-where-you-pretend-to-agree-and-humor-my-self-indulgent-ways

So glad you’re so excited! I will now stop jammering and give you the FFF Features of the Week!

Featured Personal Post: Blog Tips from Fitbloggin

Featured Workout: Elliptical HIIT Session

Featured Meal: Chicken & Strawberry Salad

Featured Cuteness: Baby B Eyeing the Bottle of Mommy Milk

Featured Reading: If I recommend them, they’re good…so go check ‘em out!

Kelly @ Laughter Strength Food

Tessa @ Amazing Asset

Annette @ Enjoy Your Healthy Life

• On a scale of 1 – 10 (10 being vomit-inducing), how awful does something have to be for you to not eat it even though it’s free? I would say an 8.

Last night I had to make the saddening decision on whether or not to watch the Glee season finale or The Biggest Loser season finale.

As I have my weekly tradition with my sister, TBL won out. Besides, the finale is the best episode to see the changes people made all at once.

Before watching the show, we had a simple dinner that I prepped before her arrival. I won a coupon for a free package of Purdue Shortcuts chicken from Heather. I normally don’t purchase products like this (simply as personal preference in the meat we do buy), but free wins out in this house. And after wanting to get back to my normal eating habits, I knew it would make a great addition to a ginormous salad.

I included a mix of spinach and romaine lettuce, topped with a whole slew of yumminess.

• 1 whole avocado, diced
• 8 large strawberries, diced
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/3 package white button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 large cucumber, diced
• 4 oz goat cheese crumbles
• 1/2 package Purdue shortcuts grilled chicken
• 1/4 c Annie’s Lite Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.

The only downfall of the salad? It used up all those ingredients so I couldn’t make this all too incredible omelet Courtney posted this morning. It’s all good though as I needed veggies in my life. Just like I need my weekly sister time in my life!

sheesh I look tired!

And this week was extra special with our extra guests – the boyfriend and the pup!

Although I don’t know how into our choice of entertainment they were. Lucky for the men in our lives, TBL may not last long as our weekly tradition anymore. Did you hear about the new trainer?

Say WHAT?!!? I’m sorry but I do not agree with that decision at all. I have a hard time getting behind someone who does not have personal training certification or ever worked with people in the fitness condition in which the contestants will arrive. It doesn’t seem safe. Plus, in my honest opinion, she didn’t even look all that healthy herself.

The reaction I had to this announcement did get me thinking a little bit about us bloggers, though. Anna will train “based on her own experience”…and that is something I know we claim as bloggers. In fact, I mention that the information I share on FFF comes from my own experiences and personal knowledge. Does that make me just as in the wrong?

I know that readers could very well take what I express on the blog as advice. In a sense, I am giving out advice when I share suggestions on different workout ideas, foods I eat that I view as healthy, or ways I worked to improve my relationship with my body and food. I do hope to motivate others, whether in fitness or personal struggles. I do like the idea of inspiring new workout ideas or meal creations. However, I simply share my life. That is the basis of this blog. I do not put information out there for others to follow as a training plan, diet regimen, or anything of that nature.

I really enjoyed Tina’s post on blogger responsibility she shared earlier. I agree that readers have a responsibility when reading blogs to know and understand that most material presented bases itself on the personal life of the blogger. I personally will forever have gratitude for blogs and the ideas and motivation they provide me. And I like to think most readers think the same way – great source of inspiration, but not a professional source. C’mon…thinking readers view blogs as professional sources sounds a little narcissistic anyways! My desire to put myself out there for my readers prevails. I think that is my biggest responsibility as a blogger -  to let others see someone relates to them or that if I can live a healthy, balanced, joyful life, then they can too. Beside, it’s not like I’m a tennis star parading as an expert qualified to teach others how to overhaul their lives.

• What show finales have you been watching? Watching Glee on DVR tonight!
• What are your thoughts on blogger responsibility?