cute as a button!

these little guys have been stirring up quite a buzz around crossfit for those participating in the 60 day paleo challenge. i figured i better give them a try and let me tell you, they did not disappoint!

i tweaked the original "paleo almond joy" recipe a fair amount but i dont think you can mess up too bad when your main ingredients are chocolate, coconut, and almond butter :)

im gonna call 'em...

mini paleo almond butter cups?

yea!

mini paleo almond butter cups

one bag dark chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher)

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil  (or coconut oil)

2 tsp. natural light agave (or honey)

3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup almond butter

1/2 tsp. almond extract (or extract of choice)

toasted almonds

microwave chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. (i started with 1/2 the bag) 

line a mini cupcake pan with paper liners. (i didnt have liners, so i simply sprayed it with pam olive oil for easier removal)

use a spoon to drop about a teaspoon of chocolate into each cup-enough to coat the entire bottom and sides.

place in refrigerator to harden for about 5 minutes.

combine oil, agave, coconut, almond butter, and almond extract until smooth. (i used a small food processor and it worked great.)

spoon this mixture into the center of the hardened chocolate.

place in fridge to harden about 10 minutes.

melt the rest of your chocolate in the microwave.

top each cup with chocolate and a toasted almond and place back in the fridge to harden.

eat any extra filling or chocolate by the spoonfull :)

and enjoy!

how cute are these!?

...i may not have let them get quite hard enough. so what. i wanted to try one!

killer monday.

or monday killer? yea. thats more like it.
oh monday, how i despise you. especially when i find out this is how my day is going to start:

"EVA" 5 rounds for time

800 meter run

20 kettelbell swings (35#)

20 pull ups (jumping)

completed in 32:06--ouch! now that's a 6:00am wake up call :)

rushed home to get ready for work, made a quick breakfast of veggies and scrambled egg whites, gathered leftovers from last nights dinner for lunch, and flew out the door.

i hate being rushed. but such is life. i dont think it will ever change.

but it felt so nice come 5:00pm when i was off the clock to know that i could go home and had the rest of the evening to do whatever i want. i hope i can stick to these early morning workouts as much as my schedule allows for it. my work schedule is inconsistent, so i am going to do the best i can!

i never tried salmon until a couple of months ago and man, was i missing out! this stuff is go-ood!

dinner is served!

with a side of asparagus.

i bought a bag of individually wrapped salmon filets. just defrost, microwave, bake, or grill.

so quick and easy! tonight i baked the filets in about 20 minutes. easy peasy! but they're goin on the grill next time! the asparagus i prepared in a frying pan with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

some other eats this past week that are worth sharing:

veggie kabobs: green and red pepper. mushrooms. red onion. olive oil. and some seasonings.

and pork chops on the grill. so good! thanks to my master griller boyfriend :)

earlier last week i took my sister taryn out for lunch for her birthday!

chipotle!!

she went for the burrito as big as your head-as i normally would too!

but i opted for a "salad" as they call it which consisted of romaine lettuce, chicken, fajita veggies, salsa, and guac. this was surprisingly fantastic! i usually go for the burrito bowl-in which i then have rice, black beans, and cheese. but i honeslty couldnt believe how much i actually enjoyed my salad without those "non-paleo" additions. i dare ya to try it ;)

well my bed is calling my name. another early morning workout coming my way!

i've got a good little recipe to finally share with you tomorrow!