Peanut Butter Pancakes

Finally. I feel like Dr. Frankenstein. It's aliveeeee!! *thunder crackles mercilessly in the background*

After working hard for a whole week (that's some serious dedication for me people!), I've finally nailed my peanut butter pancake recipe! Unfortunately, now I'm so sick of pancakes, I don't think I'll be making them again for at least a month! Ahh such is life. However, you, my lucky friend, can make them today! I'm just so good to you guys.

(*Side note - Do you guys like the recipes posted like this in border or just normally through the text? Thought I'd try something new and I'd love some feedback!)

Seriously, these pancakes were phenom. The peanut butter made them so moist and fluffy! I actually used my new favorite White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut butter and I think these were taste tongue-numbingly good with white chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate, but sadly we were all out... cruel fate!! Still they were delicious!! And the best part? They're actually really filling! I messed around with adding a little protein powder to them, but honestly they are completely fine without it. This is my very first from scratch recipe!! Aren't you proud of me!? It's cool if you're not, I'm proud enough for the both of us.

fit happenings.
So this is only Day 3 of the Whittle My Middle Challenge and already my abs are feeling it! I'm surprised by how sore I am, but it's a good feeling. I haven't been sore like this in a while, I feel like it's making me want to do MORE strength training than normal (normal being none at all so really anything is an improvement lol).

I'm also not sure if I've mentioned that I have another race this weekend! It's the Memorial Day 5 Mile out in Youngstown and I'm pretty freakin stoked for it. I'm hoping to run it in at least 48 minutes, but as long as I finish I'll be happy. My aunt is once again coming with me too! My grandparents find it hysterical that she would never run a day in high school and now that she's in her 40s, I'm getting her to do a half-marathon!! We laugh about it quite often lol but hey, fitness can start at any age right?

Personally, I don't think my "fitness" really started until about 2 years ago. I mean, I've always been active I'd say. I did sports in high school and I'd workout sporadically in the beginning of college - I was never overweight, but I never had any set fitness goals and I think that's when I went from active to athlete. When I decided to do a 5k, when I decided to do a strength training program, when I decided to sign up for a half-marathon.

All these things are quantifiable, they're attainable. Before, I was doing the same 30-60 minute routines on the elliptical or the treadmill over and over again, zoning out while reading a magazine or studying notes. I never really noticed a difference nor did I get any stronger/faster, but I did it because it was what I was used to. I love the way I feel now, more recently especially and I actually credit it a lot to reading blogs. Seeing what goals other people are reaching and striving for makes me feel like I could do those things too if I just try. It's simply inspirational.

Where do you guys draw inspiration from? When did you start being fit instead of just active? And how did you stumble into the awesome world of health blogs?


Day 3 is calling my name! I'm gonna see if my poor little abs have it in them to do the plank for 1:30 today! And speaking of planks, my friend Angela at Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat is attempting to do a plank for 21 minutes!! This crazy girl's got abs of steel, no lie. I'll think of you when my abs are screaming out for mercy through my belly button lol have a good day guys! Go enjoy the sunshine, take a walk outside or pack a picnic - just don't forget the sunscreen (;