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Back-to-School Roundup: Kickstarting a Healthy Semester!
I’d be a big liar if I said I wasn’t a little jealous of you collegiates heading back to school in these coming weeks. Ever since pre-school, I love being a student. Starting fresh new courses, with new groups of people, figuring out a new teacher with their new system. Learning a new subject, a new challenge. Not to mention making your own schedule for homework and study sessions in the comfort of your room. It sure beats the monotony of a desk job. Although there is that whole aspect of making money rather than spending money which is pretty nice.
I’m trying to tell you to enjoy it while you can! Because even though you may feel overwhelmed or stressed with classes and exams (or worse, group projects) once you graduate and you experience bills, unexpected medical situations, 40-hour works weeks, commuter traffic and these weird things called “taxes” and “insurance policies” you will be as nostalgic for back-to-school days as I am right now. ;)
When I started this blog three years ago, I didn’t have a specific vision or theme in mind. My daily life has a pretty consistent focus on eating nutritious foods as well as finding balance with being a social student and a training athlete. Overtime, Strong Like My Coffee naturally evolved into a “health and fitness for college students” blog (even though most of the content is applicable to anyone, college or not!).
Several blog posts from the past three years are so appropriate for this back-to-school season we’re in, so I’ve compiled a list here for you! *Each link will open in a new tab :)
While I’m writing this, there are several other points I want to hit on about setting yourself up for success in the first few weeks of school that are unrelated to health, nutrition and fitness. I’m thinking I’ll write a whole separate post on this later this week :)
In other news, I’ve been called an “expert” by a fellow blogging site. A few months ago, a PR and online media executive reached out for some healthy snack ideas to add to an article on a gaming website. The Empire City Casino online gaming site has a blog with a wide variety of content for it’s users, including this health and nutrition piece. I happily offered my insights and I’m excited to share a link to the finished product with you:
Power to the Brain: Stimulating Gaming Snacks
This weekend I visited one of my college buddies for a beach trip and had my first experience with surfing, acai bowls, and cold brewed coffee. Full recap coming up on Wednesday :)
XOXO
Mammoth Lakes Adventures
Hope you’re not too sick of hippies and hiking and tree pictures just yet because I have one last blog post about my week in Mammoth Lakes! There were plenty of adventures unrelated to running & coffee to share :)
I was so ready for a week in the mountains, and the half a dozen lakes we visited were just the therapy I needed. Transitioning from a full-time student/intern/athlete into a full-time corporate employee has been a little challenging for me and my schedule is still getting worked out so my sanity is dependent on these little getaways.
Last Saturday morning, we caravanned up to 9,000 ft. elevation and checked into our penthouse condo for the week. Dave McCoy, the founder of Mammoth Mountain Ski Lodge, used to live in the condo that we rented. It had gorgeous views at the foot of the ski lifts, a fireplace, a bar, and a loft for me! Everyone was ready for “vacation mode” and we had TONS of snacks and drinks, constant music, trips down to the pool and jacuzzis, strolls through the village and some “family” game nights. There were some definite stand-outs through out the week, so here are my Top 5 Mammoth Moments:
1.) Star-Gazing on the Ski Lift Deck during the Perseid’s Meteor Shower:
Five of us made decaf coffees and hot chocolates to-go and walked to the ski lodge deck where it was pitch black dark to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Once our eyes adjusted to the total darkness, I could make out the shapes of everyone in front of me. That’s how I noticed a figure moving a hundred feet ahead of us. Panicky, I said “There’s something out there moving! I can see it’s shape! It’s coming towards us!” Everyone else spotted the figure too, and pulled out the flash lights. “It’s a coyote!” “It’s a bear” “Whatever it is, it’s walking on its HIND LEGS!”
That’s when the figure talked back to us: “It’s a guy walking his dog!” ………….Well don’t we feel like idiots.
After that near-death experience (I don’t know why people call me dramatic) I was less eager to sit in the dark on a moutain so after a couple shooting star sightings, we headed back to the condo.
2.) Picnic at Chickenfoot Lake:
This was one of my favorite days! After I ran a few miles in the morning, the rest of our group packed picnics in backpacks and drove 30 minutes down to Tom’s Place. You can’t really describe the scenery around this area of the Sierra’s. We pulled off into a dirt parking lot across from Rock Creek Lake into a little cafe called Pie in the Sky.
The sweet Labrador played with us and a nest of baby birds sat chirping on the patio. We decided to come back after the hike so our friends could get a couple slices of pie and we could check out the lake. The actual hike started a couple miles up the road. The parking lot was full for this popular trail! We took rest stops at all of the pretty outlooks, lakes and marshes. It took us just under 2 hours to get to Chickenfoot Lake for our picnic.
Boys were being boys and skipping rocks.
Girls were being girls and using the selfie stick ;)
3.) Early morning Fishing:
This was one of those outtings that was fun after it was over. Even though it was the middle of August, it gets COLD on the lake in the early early morning. I wore workout capris and a light sweater and shivered for two hours. It was one of those “bonding experiences” that you go through together. :) I treated everyone to hot lattes from the Old NY Deli at the village and we played a little morning corn hole and ladder ball before heading back to the condo to be lazy. We did wake up at 5:30am on vacation, after all!
4.) Chasing Waterfalls:
The hike to Rainbow Falls isn’t too long, since we use the Red Meadow Shuttle to take us to Devil’s Post Pile. It’s 2.5 miles from Devil’s Post Pile to the Falls, another 1.2 miles to Red’s Meadow, and the shuttle took us back the rest of the way. Once we crested the last hill, Rainbow Falls came in to view below us. We looked down on the awesome waterfall where the light reflections on the mist give it it’s name. Pictures can’t quite capture the real-life view.
5.) Chipmunk Rescue:
Okay in actuality, this probably was not in the Top 10 moments from the trip but it was too cute not to share.
While we were lounging by the pool, my mom saw that a chipmunk had fallen in the indoor hot tub and couldn’t get out. She and my dad used the life preserver to coral him into the corner, and then created a “ladder” with a towel. He climbed right out, scared to death, and ran as FAST AS HE COULD……right into the big pool :( He went from hot tub to cold pool, and they had to repeat the whole rescue over again! He finally just sat in a sunny corner to dry off, poor little guy. And of course I was just hanging back snapping pictures ;)
Obviously there were many more fun times on the vacation but I can’t blog about every single second so I’ll wrap up this recap here. This week I’ve been reuniting with the gym and trails, packing my lunches again, falling asleep before 10pm and waking up before the sun…..vacation’s over.
Mammoth Lakes Local Coffee Shop Favorites + Basin Bowl Recipe
Good morning! I’m still in catch-up mode from my Mammoth Lakes vacation but I’m excited to share some reviews of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) local coffee shops.
You might remember from my Southern Road Trip earlier this summer that I have a travel rule: NO chain restaurants on vacation. You can get Olive Garden and Subway at home, so why not try out the locally-owned businesses that are specific to your location while you’re there? The rule applies to coffee too, so we keep the Starbucks to a minimum when we’re away from home.
Like the southern road trip, we intended to try a new coffee shop each day. That was going good and well until we walked into Stellar Brew Coffee House on Main St…..and came back 2, 3, 4, okay 5 times. #oops. The atmosphere, coffees, baked treats, breakfast bowls, staff, and charm made it the perfect morning pick-me-up stop.
But we’ll begin from Coffee Stop #1: Looney Bean
Loved it! The store was pretty crowded and dark inside, but there is a fireplace and outdoor seating. My hot americano was one of the better espresso drinks from a local coffee shop I’ve had. My mom splurged and got the raspberry white mocha which had the best flavors. Cute shop, great coffees, nothing super stand-out about the shop itself. All in all, it was a success.
#2: Side Door
Upon arrival, we were warned that the espresso machine was broken. That’s kind of essential for americanos/lattes….we were left with iced coffees as our only caffeinated option. We asked for a couple pumps of sugar-free vanilla and a splash on non-fat milk added to the iced coffees, but I’m not sure what the heck we got handed in our cup. The milk didn’t mix with the coffee, but rather left some stringy fiber-looking strands of white in the dark drink. We definitely tasted the sweetener but couldn’t taste any coffee. I also ordered 3 drinks, but the barista was finished with our order at 2. Rather than remind him that he still owed us another drink, we just tossed ours in the trash and walked out. :( I don’t think you can blame us for being “Coffee Snobs” with this one….it was just really terrible coffee.
#3: Schat’s Bakkery
(No, I didn’t spell that wrong. It’s European.) Oh, this poor barista was a hot mess. Schat’s Bakkery has amazing fresh bread and an adorable European store-front. My order was simple enough: 2 iced coffees with sugar-free toffee flavor.
While one barista worked on another order in front of the espresso machine, the girl making my iced coffees stood right next to her. So naturally when she poured the pitcher of coffee and the lid fell off, the coffee spill ruined not just my drink but those other two too.
When she cleaned up her mess and re-made our iced coffees, I noticed she “forgot” the flavoring. Instead, she handed me my iced coffee and a separate sugar-free toffee candy…… not exactly the same. When I clarified my order, you would not believe that she actually DUMPED THE WHOLE CUP OVER AGAIN. She spilled on their counter twice in one order! That’s when I’d call it a day (cry-laughing emoji). Poor girl, I hope she isn’t always this frazzled.
#4: Black Velvet Coffee Shop
This coffee shop is highly-rated on Trip Advisor and sits right along Main St. Seems like it’s set-up for success! I can’t accurately write a full review on this coffee shop because we never made it to the ordering part…
The sterile shop had the tiniest little menu board sitting on the counter. The barista didn’t greet us with a hello. The pastry box was almost empty. No customers sat at the tall tables. The vibe wasn’t what we wanted to waste our coffee stop on so we crossed the street to coffee shop #5.
#5: Stellar Brew
Before I start my rave, I’ll start by stating that I’m not incentivized to say this and I don’t know anyone who works here! Just in case you’re skeptical of online reviews ;) I honestly just believe in supporting high-quality local businesses and this one was awesome. Hippy? Yes. Worth coming back? Yes x 5.
The covered patio seating always had a couple dogs with their owners hanging out and enjoying the summer sunshine. The inside has just enough of that “cluttered chaos” look where it’s charming but not overwhelming. Unique jewelry, handmade body washes and oils, and recycled glass bottles sit for sale around the counter. The menu is huge and full of healthy options like fruit & yogurt smoothies, acai bowls, and “Basin Bowls” which we recreated at home Sunday night (recipe below). There were also tons of not-so-healthy bakery items like Almond Chocolate Bread Pudding, Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake and Morning Glory Muffins that were incredibly difficult to pass up. I did cave and get the gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookie though, and I’ve never had anything with that nutty, crumbly texture. Confession: I got a second one the next day ;) #vacationmode
I tend to stick with hot and cold americanos when I order coffee to-go and I’ll add in non-fat milk, but I couldn’t help but steal some sips of my parent’s more fancy drinks. The Stellar Brulee was all of our favorites, hot and iced. It’s a caramel white chocolate mocha latte ( so basically….dessert in a cup.) but another equally amazing concoction was the Trail Mix Mocha. There is definitely a hippy vibe going on and the service wasn’t particularly speedy but it was definitely worth the wait. By far the best coffee shop in Mammoth!
Aside from the 12 coffee drinks, two cookies and slice of coffee cake we ordered from the little cafe, we really loved the Basin Bowl (and apparently locals love it too. Someone was always ordering one each time we were in line!) The Basin Bowl is a power bowl of brown rice, kale, carrots, tomatoes, beets, Bragg’s liquid aminos, an over-easy egg, and some tzatziki sauce on the side. It was the perfect blend, with lots of garlic-y flavor and we thought it’d be easy enough to recreate at home. Sunday night, we blended up some raw cauliflower in the food processor to turn into a rice texture and lightly sauteed in a pan over the stove to replace the brown rice. It’s all about presentation ;)
Basin Power Bowl Recipe (adapted from Stellar Brew)
- 1 head cauliflower, rinsed and chopped into large chunks
- 3 cups of baby kale, rinsed
- 1 large carrot, grated into long thin strips
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 cup shoestring beets
- Bragg’s liquid aminos
- 1 Tbs. garlic
- 1 Tbs. black pepper
- Optional: rinsed black beans or garbanzo beans; protein source of choice (chicken, tofu, egg, cashews, etc.)
- In a large food processor, pulse the cauliflower until it turns into a rice-like texture.
- Heat a large skillet with a drizzle of olive oil or coconut oil and garlic, and sautee the cauli-rice for about 5 minutes. It will become slightly toasty. Add in the baby kale and pepper, then cover with a lid for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In your serving bowl, combine the cauli-rice, kale, carrots, tomatoes, beets, beans and protein. Add liquid aminos (if you do not have/like liquid aminos, I would recommend a vinagrette salad dressing!)
- Take a picture becuase it’s Instagram worthy ;)
So we’ve covered coffee & running in Mammoth….and I’ve got a few cool adventure stories to share with you tomorrow before we get back into normal everyday healthy living stuff.
XOXO.
