I think my niece thinks she is Brooke’s second mom.
And this is what it looks like when you put on miniature glasses.
BROOKE TOOK HER VERY FIRST STEP ALL ON HER OWN YESTERDAY! It was amazing. I cried.
You know it is actually impossible to have a girls’ night without having delicious/amazing food right?!?
We went over to my friend Megan’s house for the most delicious bbq chicken quinoa dinner and my own personal bowls of my favorite fruits.
And then she whipped out the treats for us to eat while watching a movie. We never watched a movie. Instead we ended up talking nonstop for a very long time while we snacked, it was great.
See those cookies? They have ZUCCHINI in them. She used THIS recipe and I couldn’t believe how good they were. And the roasted red pepper guacamole was so good that I put 1/2 a cup of it on each chip.
Brooke also seemed to enjoy the snacks.
And then Megan contributed to Brooke’s 19 days of Birthday presents (please note that Brooke’s birthday is just 13 days away. Make sure to get your birthday card sent to her in time;)
I really want a matching swimsuit.
——————————————————
Do you ever sneak veggies in to your desserts?
Who has an August birthday?
Does anyone take their rest day on Fridays?
When you make guac, what do you put in it?
84 comments
Lauren @ The Highlands Life
First steps?! I have agenda month old and I’m just not ready for that yet but I have a feeling it’s going to sooner rather than later. Agh!!
And I totally want a matching swimsuit. I die.
Lauren @ The Highlands Life
What’s an agenda month old? Well, it’s actually a ten month old. Stupid auto correct. :-)
Amy @ Long Drive Journey
I try to sneak veggies into everything. That’s basically the only way I like to eat them.
YES to rest days on Fridays. Fridays have been my rest days since before I started running. When I was in school, the only day I DIDN’T do homework was Friday. It was glorious.
So exciting about Brooke’s first step! She’s getting so big.
Ashley
That swimsuit… OMG. Too DANG cute!
This means we need a pool date ASAP.
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes
Congrats on Brooke’s first steps Mama! What a big day for her! I wish Billy was there to witness it too! That swimsuit is so chic. Brooke will rock it :-)
Amy
That swimsuit is too cute! I have an August birthday (the 10th)
Lindsey
That swimsuit is adorable!
I love zucchini cookies and muffins. I also love carrot muffins. Have you tried chocolate avocado cookies (question mark key will not work…) I love them too!
Some weeks Friday is a rest day but not today, we leave on holidays tomorrow so will hit the gym after work.
Avocado, red onion, tomatoes, cumin and lime juice
Jessica @ FromtheKitchentotheRoad
I have an August birthday and an August anniversary! I am considering trying out a new schedule where my rest day would be Friday. I’m not convinced completely yet. We will see.
Nicole @Pink Elephant on Parade
congratulations on first steps!
Friday is a run day now. In fact, I find I like skipping rest days now because I sleep better after a run. It’s weird.
Jackie
Congrats Brooke!
Brittany - Travel.Run.Live.Love
OMG, walking? Who said she was allowed to grow up?! Congrats, Momma… She’ll be your running buddy in no time :)
You know what weirdly delicious and nutritious food I like to put in guac? Cottage cheese! Adds protein and flavor. Love it.
Miss you girls tons!
Mo
OMG do you know where she got that swimsuit or what brand it is?! I must get one for my 13 mos old. We are in the pool everyday (live in Phoenix) so we can’t have to many swimsuits. :-)
No rest day today but doing strength training. Hope you have a super weekend!
Megan D
I got it at Gap back in May. Yes. I bought it months before her birthday. lol. But when I saw it, I wanted to buy it for myself. When I realized it would never fit me ;) I thought who is going to be 1 soon that this WOULD fit? Pretty much I looked for any excuse to buy it. I am a sucker for baby girl clothes.
Mo
Thank you! Yes, I’m jealous they don’t have it in big girl sizes too. Lol
Natalie @ Free Range Human
Yay Brooke! How exciting! And your oldest niece looks so much like you :)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
Aww, congrats to Brooke on her first step!! I’ve never tried veggies in desserts, but I have been intrigued to try the black bean brownie thing.
megan d
If you are on instagram, you need to follow JazzyThings and look up her black bean brownie recipe. Definitely the best i have made. They were fudgy and delicious-could never tell there were black beans involved;)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
Will do, thanks for the tip!
melissa
I just wanted to let you know I had a huge apple fritter the other day. Not only did I compare its size to a pen but I took a picture of its greatness. Thank you HRG I too am now taking photos of the noms. smh ;)
melissa
Veggies and desserts? You may want to copy right that. You never know that could be the next “thing” at froyo shops…
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats
FIRST STEPS?! She will be running in no time ;)
I keep my guac pretty simple just some lime, cilantro, diced tomatoes adn loads of garlic!
And I totally support the mathing bathing suit. That is adorable.
Adriana @Laced Up With Lipstick
Yay for Brooke taking her first steps, how exciting! I’ve never snuck veggies into a dessert but I used to put pureed carrots in our pasta sauce. I think it’s from the cook book Deceptively Delicious. I used to take rest days on Friday since my long run is always on Saturday but since I’m just starting back up I try and at least do yoga. Don’t tell anyone but i hate Guac…my family always tells me I’m not a real Mexican if I don’t eat it but I just don’t like it.
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
oh my gosh, Brooke will be running in no time! I love zucchini cookies, they are soo delicious!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Wooo hooo! Go Brooke!
I don’t typically put vegetables in my desserts, but just within the past two days I’ve made muffins and brownies with zucchini in them. We got four massive zucchini from our neighbor, so I had to put them to use somewhere! Both the muffins and brownies were AMAZING!
mary @ minutes per mile
my bday is august 23rd! woo hoo. never tried putting veggies in a dessert — sounds crazy/inventive!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Walking already? Awwr! She’s just growing up so fast :D What are you going to do when she starts running? ;)
And I have to admit that I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to putting veggies in dessert, especially with zucchini. I know that everyone says you can barely taste it, but I’m pretty sure I’d have to be ignorant to the fact that they’re in there, just so I could get over my biases.
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns
Congrats to Brooke!! I don’t put veggies in my desserts, it’s dessert so I’m going all out, and sometimes I believe that desserts aren’t meant to be healthy in any way ;)
Rest day is always Sunday for me. I like to keep it consistent, otherwise I’ll be taking too many rest days lol.
If I’m lazy, I put a jar of salsa in, if I have the ingredients and want to make it myself, then I put tomatoes, cilantro, onion, and anything else I can find.
[email protected]
Congrats to Brook on her first step.
As for veggies in sweets, I have wanted to try this recipe forever. I learned it from La Fuji Mama (she works with Avacados from Mexico) http://www.avocadosfrommexico.com/recipe-Chewy-Fudge-Avocado-Brownies.html
It’s supposed to be amazing…life changing even. I’m making these this weekend.
Presh
Ooooohhh that recipe sounds yummy !!
Monica L
Aww little Brookie!! She looks so cute and grown-up in that picture standing by the chair!
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun
Awww Brooke’s first steps!! Congrats!! I am sure that was such an amazing event to be there for!!!
Amanda
My husband makes amazing guac. His secret ingredient is Cumin
megan d
I think subbing the whole wheat flour and the using the coconut oil in place of the butter only made those cookies that much healthier and better too ;) and i forgot to send you the link to the guac recipe http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/roasted-corn-red-pepper-guacamole/
I skipped the early am gym session-i stayed up too late and my gym buddy canceled so it just wasnt happening. I am planning on going a little bit after breakfast.
It was sooosooo good to see you last night. And chatting is way better than any movie anyway. I love ya!
lindsey b
That swimsuit is just way too adorable. Post a pic of Brooke in it soon! She is getting cuter by the second!
Amy @ crazysweatymommy
Spinach is a good addition to anything..the kids can’t even taste it! My husband actually makes the best guacamole…but he has to make 2 different bowls ..”kids” and “adults”..the “adults” is HOT!
My daughter’s 8th birthday is on the 22! Always around the first day of school :)
Christina (Sisters Running the Kitchen)
oh I will have to try those cookies- they look so good! I love when you can sneak in a little kick of health into things haha
Do you ever sneak veggies in to your desserts? not desserts but in my “green monster” smoothie i make after runs sometimes i put spinach (+ frozen banana, PB, scoop of vanilla whey protein powder, vanilla almond milk, grand flax, + few ice cubes)
Who has an August birthday? not I…im a january baby
Does anyone take their rest day on Fridays?
When you make guac, what do you put in it? tomato, red onion, cilantro, sea salt, tomatoes
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
Brooke is getting so big! Yay for her taking her first steps! I love sneaking veggies into sweets. My b-day is August 6th…. this weekend is birthday weekend!!
Danielle
I do not sneak veggies into dessert. Dessert is dessert aka unhealthy.
My dads birthday is August 6th. But that’s all the actually birthdays, however my oldest was due August 7th, but was 3 weeks early and my youngest was due September 7th, and I was sure she would have an August birthday. Nope, September 1st.
I rest Tuesday (after long run Monday) and Saturday (after speedy run Friday). And occasionally if I decide sleep is better than running at the butt crack- that usually happens once a week….
In my guac: rotel, lime juice, random spices. Sometimes a little jalapeño and red onion- depends.
Debbie @ Deb Runs
Yay for Brooke’s first step!!!!!
I Googled Chipotle’s guacamole recipe and found it! It’s got avocados, chopped red onions, chopped tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. I think that’s all!
No August birthdays in our family, but my husband’s and my wedding anniversary was yesterday!
Logan @ Mountains and Miles
I take rest days on Fridays and Mondays.
My guac always has avocado (obv), onion, tomatoes, lime juice, jalapenos, and then sometimes I add something sweet like mangoes or strawberries.
Alyssa @ See This Girl Run
Hooray Brooke!!! Now one step closer (literally) to running :) That swimsuit is adorable!
All that food looks amazing. I need to start convincing my friends to cook for me! haha
Presh
Love that color of Brooke’s new swimsuit! Awww so awesome she took her first step! Next stop her running around and really getting into everything lol. My mommy has an August birthday! Ohhh must try those cookies. I think spinach and zucchini are easily able to be sneaked into snacks/desserts!
Lauren
YAY for first steps!!! Now you’ll really have to keep an eye on her around all the boys in that swimsuit!!! ;)
I love Chipotle’s quacamole and they use red onions, I think, and I love them times a billion so red onion would definitely be an ingredient!
Linda @ running4two
I would totally rock that swimsuit too! Every night when I put my baby girl in her PJs, I really wish that I had a matching pair of my own. :)
Emily N
I made cookies with zucchini in them last week as well! The cookie dough is not so delicious (compared to – say – chocolate chip cookies) but they are pretty good once baked!
Danica @ It's Progression
I love zucchini brownies and actually plan to make a batch of them this weekend!
Leigha
My stpemoms guac recipe is THE BEST EVER. Avocado, fresh salsa, garlic powder, salt, cumin, lime juice. Nothing better. YAY Brooke! Growing up so fast!!
Laura @losingrace
First step, that is amazing! First step today, she will be running tomorrow! :)
Jenny @ simply be me
Yea Brooke! We’re so close over here with the first steps but since she’s our second I’m not pushing it – the less mobile the better when you have two :)
Meaghan @ Tale of Two Teachers
Always take my rest days on Friday! I make guac with avocado and salsa when I’m making it quickly – still yummy! :)
Meaghan @ Tale of Two Teachers
And congrats to Brooke!!!
Corrine @ Eat Run Wine
I’ve never had veggies in dessert.. I rock the cauliflower though- cauliflower tots, pizza crust, mashed potatoes, etc. I want to try the zucchini cookies/brownies~
I don’t have full rest days on Fridays- I save those for Sundays. But instead of getting up and doing yoga/pilates/running/elliptical before work, I spend Friday mornings reading and relaxing with my husband until we have to leave for work :)
I can’t eat guac :( I have an aversion to it after I got sick off avocado about 6 years ago. I haven’t been able to eat them since… :(
[email protected].
YAY BROOKE!!!!
oh my goodness that swimsuit is just too cute!
Guac for me = a spoonful of salsa (medium), salt and pepper and a bit of lime juice!
Irene
Everything about this post is the cutest! Congratulations to Brooke on her big accomplishment. If you find the grown up version of that bathing suit, you will have to do a fashion post on where we can all buy it:)
Kathy McElhaney
First steps are awesome!! Yay, Brooke!
My husband’s birthday is on the 19th – the big 5-0!!
The closest I get to a veggie in my dessert is pumpkin muffins, and I know pumpkins are not a veggie, but that’s as close as I get!
I’ve been thinking about changing my rest day to Friday. I think it would be a good idea after a hard/hilly Thursday run and planning a long Saturday run.
Lauren
Carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts of all time so I guess that counts as sneaking some veggies in ;)
My mom makes famous guac for every big gathering…it’s so simple but delicious. Avocado, red onion, tomato, and sea salt. She has to make it in bulk because it never lasts more than two days!
Amy @ Run Mom Run
That swimsuit is flippin’ adorable. Seriously.
How exciting! First steps! Crawling, while adorable, is my least favorite stage. It’s so hard on their knees and they are so picky about their surfaces, walking is a whole new world of adventures and happy kids! Congratulations!
Running Rosa
My son just started walking too! He is so proud of himself and laughs so hard when he’s doing it. It’s the best!
I usually take my rest days on Thursday and Sunday, unless I have a race on Sunday, which I do this weekend. I’m taking today and tomorrow as rest days so my legs will be extra fresh! I want a PR!
Liz @ The Girl on Fire Now
She is growing up too fast :(
Ashley
Do girls nights that involved some specific activity ever really go as planned? The girl talk is the part…We always have good intentions of movies, games, or activities, but the girl talk always wins. And quite frankly, I’m just fine with that :)
Ashley
And PS: CONGRATS BROOKE!! How amazing is that? I can’t believe she’s old enough to be walking, that doesn’t seem right.
Cathryn
Can’t believe she walked..bet Billy’s heartbroken not to be there. What a wonderful moment! And I want that swimsuit too.
Molly
i have an august birthday (24th!) AND Fridays are my rest day!
Joy
Congratulations to Brooke. Wow. I can’t believe she took her first step!
I have an August birthday (8th). It’s coming up too soon!
jo
Really cute pictures.
I LOVE carrot cake. Does that count? I’ve also been wanting to try some avocado brownies.
Guacamole is delicious however you make it.
Friday is almost always a rest day for me.
Runningwithscissors
My guacamole is avocados,red onion, minced garlic,lime juice and Aunt Janes crazy mixed up salt. Mmmmmm……….. P.s. sometimes I do add just a pinch of Tabasco sauce too.
Katlin
Congrats on the first steps!! Brooke and I are birthday buddies August 15th!!!
Carson
She will be running with you before you know it!
Unless I am off work, I always rest on Friday. This is to prep for my usual long run Saturday morning.
Leetra@runningmylife
What? First step already?!?! Congratulations, Brooke! Now please slow down! I started reading your mommy’s blog when you were still in her belly. You are growing up way too fast, pretty girl!
Beth
Hi Janae! I’m a new(ish)comer to your blog and I just wanted to tell you how helpful, fun and refreshing your posts are!! I love finding other women with a love for exercise! Your posts about your struggles with the scale and your personal journey with regards to your body image are SO timely for me…I’m so very very encouraged to read that I’m not the only one and that there is a way THROUGH these struggles. So, thank you for sharing!!!!
Nikki @ Will Run For Pizza
Oh my GOSH! LOVE that suit!! I make brownies with zucchini and you’d never know it was in there….they are so moist too!
Gari
It seems like you are having an amazing time! Your little niece is gonna look like a top model :)
Holly
You go Brooke!! That is so exciting! She is growing up so quickly, and just getting cuter & cuter!!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama
Yay for Brooke’s first step! You now have a new daily workout in your regime…chasing Brooke! It’s tougher than you think! August is a big month in our fam. My husband & I celebrated our 10th anniversary yesterday & my bday is in a few weeks.
Cameron
That guac looks amazing! Aug 4th is my b-day.
Katie
Sad I missed Brooke’s first step!! Soon she’ll be running. ;) she’s growing up too fast!
MartinaNYC
OMG congrats! Give her a few more month and she’ll join you on your runs ;)
My birthday is on August 28!
I rested Yesterday because I had to race today-totally Worth it because I PRd :)
Emily K. @ Leaf Parade
I used to make a super chocolately cake with black beans all the time. It gave it a really creamy, almost cheesecake-like texture, and nobody in my family could ever figure out what my secret ingredient was. Muahaha.
-Emily K.
Karen
My daughter is eleven months old and we are pretty certain that it won’t be long before she takes her first steps.
The cookies you posted look amazing, I saved the recipe to my phone so I am definitely going to try them out. (I won’t be telling my five year old about the zucchini though.
I just successfully completed seven miles this morning, kind of excited about that.
Love your blog! I’m obsessed.
Kari @ Running Ricig
Yay for Brooke!!!
I’ve made zucchini bread, but I think that’s the only times I’ve put veggies in a baked good.
Kay
Congrats to Brooke on her first step, how exciting!
Cindy
I just made three batches of sweet potato brownies yesterday. So good and much healthier since I sit and could eat the whole batch!
My oldest daughter turns 5 on the 21st and starts Kindergarten on the 22nd. It’s going to be rough:(
Peachylau
awww well done for walking Brooke!
Dennis
Aww little Brookie