TGIF! I am psyched the weekend is here! Mostly because I have a bunch of fun things planned, but also because Mal has all next week off (school vacation)! Woohoo!
On the agenda for this Friday morning: a trip to the dog park. It was a busy week for Mal and me, so Murphy didn’t get in his usual long walks. A trip to the park was much-needed today. This dog had energy to burn!
On the drive to the park, I took a quick pit-stop at Marylou’s for a Maple Walnut iced coffee, which was pretty tasty, but I like the Almond Joy and Peanut Butter Wonderful flavors better. I’m glad I tried it though!
Murphy and I explored a new trail at the park today.
This one led us into a big, open field.
Which Murphy found very exciting.
And proceeded to sprint around and elephant butt like a crazy pug.
What a freak.
Snack
After the park, I snacked on some almonds.
Lunch
For lunch, I made a big salad, which I topped with a can of tuna, balsamic vinegar, and truffle salt.
After lunch, I did a little baking and ate a bunch of cookies. Hey, it’s Cookie Friday! And at least these ones had some protein in them!
Blueberry-Vanilla Protein Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups almond flour
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375*F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until batter is blended evenly.
- Roll batter into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake cookies for approximately 12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.
- Eat and enjoy!
Makes 12 cookies
—
Off to CrossFit and then some beer drinking!
Happy Friday!
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Those cookies look stinkin’ awesome!! I think I should start cookie Friday! Enjoy your week with your honey!
I love watching my dog run around the park when I first let her off the leash. She’s such a spaz, racing around in circles and I swear she has the biggest smile on her little face. Elephant butt is the best!
Murphy blends into those fields so well, it’s almost like pug camouflage!
mmm the cookies look delicious! i have some almond flour on hand so i’m definitely going to try making them soon!
since you brought up cookie friday (i read about it in your book, which i LOVE!), do you still regularly partake in “cookie friday”? i realized you don’t bring it up much on the blog, so just curious!
Yay for a whole week off! I am a teacher & am excited about a four day weekend — But a week sounds even better!!! Enjoy Tina & Mal!
Happy friday indeed…here’s to healthy treats and a relaxing weekend!
That’s funny, when our pup was still with us, we’d call that the “butt tuck run.”
Enjoy your weekend and those cookies!
Oooooo those cookies looks so good! And Murphy is adorable, haha, I’d go crazy too if got to run around a park!
those cookies looks delish! love when there’s some protein in the recipe, makes it easier to justify 2… or 7!
hehe Murphy is so cute
I LOVE that your pug does the “butt tuck” Mine does too! Cracks me up every.single.time!
Hooray for Friday, seriously TGIF! Marylou’s, the park, and cookies looks like a great start to the weekend.
I’m jealous of all the teachers with next week off, but it works out well because when I’m on vacation the following week it should be much calmer
In your cookie recipe, I wonder if you could use whole wheat flour instead of almond flour?
Hey Tina! I love your blog. Quick question – I’ve noticed you dress your salads with vinegar/salt but don’t use any olive oil. We’re obviously all aware of our fat intake. But I have repeatedly read that you retain more nutrients from the vegetables in a salad when you eat them with a bit of fat such as an oil based dressing (even a reduced fat one) or avocado, etc. I’m just curious if you’ve ever thought about this.
Yep! And I had healthy fats to my meals just for that reason! Plus, they’re so satisfying!
Murphy must have had so much fun! Those cookies sound really great. Are they dry at all? Baking with protein powder can be tricky..
Cookies, crossfit and beer drinking. Sounds pretty awesome to me!!
Murphy looks like he was having a field day in that field
Wild and wonderful!
P.S. Your cookies look tasty! Random thought, but since it’s Cookie Friday, have you ever made puppy cookies?!
Haha this reminds me SO much of my Pug at the dog park.
Marylous looks like the cutest place ! I get a retro vibe from it…also cookies look DELISH !
Happy Friday !
What a pretty park- lucky to have it so close. Happy Friday!
Today is the perfect day for the dog park!! Unfortunately there’s aren’t any near me, but I’m traveling out of town this weekend with my pup and we will definitely be going to the dog park!
I love when dogs get super excited and run in circles. So cute!
There’s a Marylou’s near my mom’s house (in Smithfield, Rhode Island), and I cannot wait to get the chance to stop in there one day. I have been drooling over those coffees of yours for a long time now! Have a fun night!
What flavors do you like there?
Hahaha cross fit + beer drinking. Sounds like a perfect combo to me
Cookies look delicious! I’ve seen lots of recipes lately that use protein powder. I’ve never tried it but it looks like I might need to invest in some.
Haha, Murphy is so adorable!!! I hope that I get a dog soon–trips to the dog park always sounded so fun to me!
Mmmm….cookies and walking…good Friday if you ask me!
The coffee sounds amazing and the cookies look wonderful!! I feel like Murphy, I had to go for a walk today, so much pent up energy!!
Aw Murphy looks like he’s having a great time running free!
Yum! Those cookies look so good.
Mmmm those look delicious!!
Those look simple and delicious! Enjoy the weekend!
I need to make more cookies. Those look delicious! Have a great weekend!
I forgot to celebrate cookie Friday…only way to redeem myself is to make up for it today
I knoooow you are probably up to your ears and so sick of diet comments, but I can’t stop thinking about sharing my experiences with you. I am currently sitting (quite tipsy) in front of a pile of pistacio shells. yes, this may seem quite innocent, but 2 weeks ago, I would be sitting (quite tipsy) with an empthy half gallon of ice cream and an empty jar of crunchy honey-roasted peanut butter. Roman used to have to hide his pb so I wouldn’t eat it all before he got a chance to use it! When I lived with my fam, they had to do the same thing with boxed cereal before I went gluten-free. I have been following you for over 3 years and I have always noticed similarities in our eating habits and cravings and when you were diagnosed with colitis, all I wanted to do was help you feel better. I saw you try the gluten-free thing and make your way off. I have been GF since July 2011 and only have painful bloat after a night of drinking + disgusting requests of fried potato wedges and chex mix. I drank a beer after my friend’s October wedding and had a stomach ache for 2 days!
Anyways, I feel like we have extremely similar eating habits and set-backs and I have noticed your increased interest in CrossFit, so i was just wondering your reasoning behind not going full-force into Paleo. I have been following for only 4 days, and I already feel the need to share it’s benefits like Elton feels the need to share “Crocodile Rock”. Anyways, I hope you take care, whatever diet you follow, but am very motivated by the idea of the Paleo lifestyle and how it effects our day-to-day ailments.
Take Care!
Megan
It basically comes down to oatmeal, cookies, cheese, and beer. They’re some of my favorite pleasures in life, and I have no interest in giving them up. I am, however, incorporating more protein and veggies in my life like the Paleo diet promotes.
@Tina: good response
Pictures of Murphy always always make me smile!!
mmmm that coffee sounds fabulous! I totally forgot about February vacation up north. Hope you enjoy all the extra time with Mal
Yummm! Those cookies look delicious, as I’ve been wanting to make some kind of blueberry scone type thing~And Murphy’s so adorable! Funny how we can never tell how happy/sad he is just by looking at his face expression lol
Sounds like an awesome Friday! Have a nice weekend
How awesome are those cookies!!!
These are so good! I had to make a few changed though because my kitchen is seriously lacking right now. Instead of blueberries, I used some dried cranberries I had. I also added some almonds
tasty cookies!
Mmmm cookies + iced coffee in the same day? I can’t imagine a better start to the weekend
Did I miss the winners of the giveaway?