Happy Monday everyone! It’s especially marvelous for me since I’m headed to Hawaii today!
Since I haven’t posted in a few days, I have lots of wonderful things to share with you guys, notably this healthy (er) banana nut muffin/bread recipe! Trust me on this one, it’s actually REALLY good. I sometimes feel like people try to over-healthify recipes, which result in things that taste a bit like cardboard and take away from the treat itself. While these don’t have the nutritional profile of kale, they taste fabulous and are filling to boot. They’re even better as time goes on and the flavors start to develop. I’ve been enjoying one or two each day with breakfast or before a workout! Try them!
Ahhhhhh! Rogue muffin on the loose! Hide yo kids, hide yo wife.
Marvelous is relaxing beach runs!
Since I live by the coast in California, I’m lucky in that I get to escape a lot of the summer heat! I enjoyed a 4 mile run on the beach with my younger cousin. He’s actually ridiculously fast (think a personal record of 4:40 minute/mile), but asked me to take him on a nice and slow recovery run. The breeze was a dream and we got to watch a beautiful sunset! I love it when runs leave you feeling worked out, yet wonderful at the end 
Marvelous is spending time with family!
I love family BBQs and spent some time with my younger cousins by the pool. There’s something about little kids that bring out the life and excitement in everyone.
My youngest cousin is sure to be a pro athlete when he’s older. He’s already learning how to use a foam roller ;). (It’s bigger than he is! Aww!)
Marvelous is date nights!
Kyle and I grabbed some asian food before seeing Pacific Rim. I actually thought it was a really fantastic movie! To be honest, I usually get bored during longer movies, but this one really held my attention because of its interesting plot and great effects.
Marvelous is a chocolate pie made with a twist- tofu!
I can’t stop raving about how delicious this pie was. Everyone was stunned to hear that this smooth and rich dessert was made with tofu as one of the main ingredients! I hardly could believe it myself- it tasted like it was made with heavy whipping cream! Unbelievable. Recipe to come soon
Marvelous is crafting with Kyle!
We spent some quality time shopping at Home Depot and making some backdrops for my photography. The project turned out really well and we got all of the supplies for less than $20! Score!
Hope everyone has a fantastic week!
xo Christine
Aw looks like you had a great time! The run on the coast must have been beautiful – 4:40 min/mile um wow!!
I can’t believe that chocolate pie has tofu in it as well! It looks amazing – looking forward to seeing the recipe
Have a great time in Hawaii!
The pie was absolutely ridiculous! There is no way I’d ever be able to guess it had tofu in it :). Thanks love, it’s gorgeous over here!
Have an absolute blast in Maui!! How fortunate you are to be able to run near the beach! I have an awesome…freeway to run next to. And my gym where I lift is next to a garbage plant. Amazingly motivating views to match yours 😛
And as if there is tofu in that pie…. :p
Hahah go freeways! Maybe the cars will inspire you to run faster so you don’t get hit ;).
You cousin is such a cutie! That pie looks super delicious, I love tofu but wouldn’t expect to find it in my dessert either
Isn’t he?!? It honestly was SO delicious
Aw what a fun weekend! And super exciting that you’re going to Hawaii!! Hope you have a great time! I love weekends and time with the family, those are always fun times
Plus, I can’t wait for the pie recipe…it looks just as decadent as you described it!!
Thanks Elise, it’s beautiful here! It is delisshhh!
I LOVE your running spots! They are stunning! Your tofu pie looks amazing! Can’t wait until you post the recipe!
Will be posting it soon! YUM!
Beach runs are the best!! If only I lived next to a beach, I would do them everyday!
Those muffins look wonderful! I agree that sometimes things are too “healthified,” but those look like the perfect balance! Yum
Oh and that chocolate pie… omg it look incredible. SO can’t wait for the recipe!
The breeze and view make the run go by so fast :)! Can’t wait to post the recipe so others can try it!
Wow. Your cousin really is ridiculously fast! A sub 5 minute mile is just amazing.
That chocolatey pie looks wonderful
Excited to hear more about your photography backdrops!
Isn’t that crazy? I tell him that every time I see him 😉
Sounds like a great time! I would love to be able to go for runs by the beach, that looks gorgeous. Have fun in Hawaii!
Thanks Kelly! I definitely will 😉
So extremely jealous, but I hope you have a great trip!!
Thanks, Beth!
Have a great time in Hawaii, I’m so jealous! I can’t wait for that tofu pie recipe. Tofu makes desserts taste so creamy and delicious, I’m sure it was to die for.
Thanks, Christine! The pie was outrageously smooth and creamy! I’m counting the minutes till I can eat it again 😉
YUM!!! This post is filled with delicious food and beautiful people…WIN! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
xoxo
Let me know how it goes!
Mmmm, I can’t wait for the pie recipe. I’ve heard of putting tofu in chocolate pies, but I haven’t tried it myself yet.
You need to get in on the action!
You two are a HOT couple! LOL You’re gorgeous! And I definitely love to spend time with little kids because everything is so new to them (like the foam roller). They just have fun with every little thing! And I looooove chocolate pies made with tofu! It tastes SO rich and since it’s relatively healthy, it makes it okay to eat half the pie! 😉
Hahaha thanks, Lauren! That’s such a great way of describing it! Their joy is your joy and things like foam rollers become the most exciting things ever :). Oh my gosh, that’s exactly how I think of things too! Make is slightly healthier and eat 5 times more! HAH!
The muffins look amazing and can’t wait for that recipe for the pie!
They were great! Pie recipe will be coming asap
Have a great trip! That chocolate pie looks good. I wonder if I would taste the tofu…
Trust me, you wouldn’t be able to taste it at all! We tested it with a huge group of people and when we told them it had a base of tofu, they were stunned!
Holy fast! I think my personal record is like 8:50! These banana muffins sound really good! I love healthified banana muffins, they really do make a great post workout snack.
Haha I know, right? That boy is cray cray ;). Yum, I agree!
Those muffins look really good! I’m super jealous of your run photo! I wish I could be near a beach this week!
Mhmm they were delicious! Hopefully you can get yourself out by some sand soon :D!
The muffins look delish! I love spending time with family! Your little cousin is such a cutie! I have a lot of little cousins in my family and they’re always so fun to be around! Mmmm…I totally want a slice of that pie!
Haha isn’t he? He’s such a character ;). I’ll mail you some! 😉
Those muffins look delicious! Can’t wait to try them out this week. Looking forward to the pie recipe as well
Let me know how they go for you!
Have a great time in Maui!
Thanks, love!
Have a blast in Hawaii! Those muffins look amazing. I loved Pacific Rim too!
It was such an interesting movie!
Aw, have a blast in Maui for me! Eat lots of ahi poke & pineapple! 😀
Oh, you know I will! 😉
The muffins look amazing! (Minus the walnuts) – and I am so jealous of your beach run! That is on my bucket list!
Your little cousin is adorable … btw, where did you get the foam roller/how much did it cost?
A 4:40 mile? What the Fiddle? I could run a half mile in like 3 minutes … nowhere close to his time. He should run the 800 – or at least try it.
Can’t wait for that recipe and the nutrition facts for that tofu pie! Yum!
WHAT! You don’t like walnuts? You’re crazy girlie ;). I think the foam roller was around $20 at sports chalet
I’ve been wanting to try tofu pie for forever! I actually want to make it myself, but haven’t had the courage yet. Your date night looks so fun, and your little cousin is adorable!
Happy Monday honey!
xox
It’s ridiculously good! Like, I would have thought it was just a normal and rich pie. No tofu taste AT ALL! Thanks love! 😀
The muffins and the pie look fabulous! I want to hear more about the photography backdrops that you made. I really need to do that too and I’d like to hear what you bought and how it’s working out.
I’ll include them in a post onceI get home! They were so easy and cheap
Your little cousins are too cute for words! …Ooo and a 4:40 min/mile.. um I want to drink what hes drinking!
Isn’t he :)? Hahah I’ll let you know if he ever give me his secret 😉
So jealous! Have fun in Hawaii. My sister lives on Oahu so I’ve been there a few times, but never to Maui. I’m sure you will have a blast.
Thanks, love!
Gorgeous photos! I just popped in hoping to find some updates about your trip! I’m totally living vicariously through you!!! Have fun!
Just updated a new post! It’s a bit short, though! Hahah I’ll be sure to have extra fun for the two of us 😉
So can I come live with you? No seriously – I am DYING to move out to California. I am hoping/dreaming of getting an internship out there after graduation next year! Anyways, those Banana Nut Muffins are adorable and I have a thing with eating cute foods! Haha.
PS – you have gorgeous hair girl.
Come on over! It’s such a beautiful place and the weather can’t be beat. Haha thanks! I am in bad need of a haircut, though 😉
I’m already anxiously awaiting that pie recipe!! Very jealous of the run on the CA coast. I live in the south where you start sweating pretty much the moment you step out your front door. The humidity is nuts!
Mhmm it was unbelievably good! Yuck! Humidity drives me crazy
KYLE IS A STUD.
I WANT THAT SUSHI.
I WANT TO BAKE BANANA MUFFINS IN MY HOUSE SO I CAN SMELL THEIR DELICIOUSNESS.
Yep, that’s all! ha ha ha ha! 😉
Hahaha I love this comment!! Mhmmm freshly baked muffins=my life 😉
Omg, I am so jealous you are going to Hawaii. Please take lots of pictures for me to drool over, k?
Actually, I am drooling over your muffins right now. I want to reach through the screen and grab one to smear with some peanut butter and shove in my face. Lol, hide yo kids, hide yo wife!
I can’t wait to see the recipe for that pie and how your new backdrops turn out!
I definitely will! Haha that would be the best marketing technique! Reminds me of the chocolate bar in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ;).
Those muffins look wonderful! And anything that is healthier version of carbs, I am all about it!
I laughed out loud when I saw the rogue muffin comment!
I think I’m going to go see Pacific Rim because you said it was good. I also get bored during long movies! 😛 BTW, you look stunning and love your hair! And I love tofu based desserts, no one ever knows what the secret ingredient is !
PS – Your cousin is so adorable…I love Asian babies! 😉
I love your view on healthifying recipes- it’s okay to have a little sugar! And man, am I excited for that pie recipe;)
Just came across your blog, totally saving this muffin recipe. I’ve been looking for one, I’ve tried a few but they were kinda “meh” so I’m still on the hunt. These look yummy!!
I like looking through an article that will make
men and women think. Also, many thanks for permitting
me to comment!