Ever since Monday’s meltdown, I’ve been feeling extremely positive. I don’t know what about throwing a temper tantrum helped me see what this experience is supposed to be about, but it certainly worked wonders.
My good mood could also be because my flight to London is OFFICIALLY BOOKED. In approximately one month, I will be embarking on a nine-day trip to London-town to see Mark!!!!
My resolutions this week went well! In terms of exercise, I zumba’d for the first time ever this week. I will say that it was a mortifying experience. While I was sore the next day, I didn’t get into the “zone” during the class and didn’t feel like I got as good a workout from it as I do from spinning. However, it was really fun and I plan to go back next week. Today, I spun for the first time in months. It felt incredible to be back on those tiny little uncomfortable bikes. I really think spinning will always be my favorite workout! I also managed to do free-weights twice and abs three times! My flexibility continues to improve, too. I can touch my toes now! (Woohoo!!)
As for my social life, I think I hit it out of the park this week, personally. Monday night I did a movie night, Tuesday I went out to eat, Thursday I did the same at Vedge, my absolute favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. And while I stayed in on this lovely Friday night, I spent time with my roomie who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like!
My positive outlook is going well! Especially since I’ve been in such a good mood recently. That makes it pretty easy. 🙂
To celebrate the weekend, my roomie and I set out to veganize this recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod. It was actually a breeze!
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites
adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar + tiny drizzle of Molasses
1 package active dry yeast
3 ounces Earth Balance, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup Earth Balance
2 tsp Sugar & 1 tsp Cinnamon
Combine warm water, turbinado, molasses, yeast, and melted Earth Balance in a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined and then let sit for 5 minutes. Add in flour, mixing as you add. If the dough is too sticky, slowly add more flour. Kneed for 5 minutes. Coat a large bowl with vegetable oil, place dough in the bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise for one hour.
Preheat oven to 425 and bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add baking soda to the water once boiling. Once dough is twice its original size, punch out air and tear into bite sized pieces. I chose to roll these pieces into balls, but you don’t have to. Place a few pieces at a time into the boiling water/ baking soda mixture and remove after about 30 seconds. We needed about 3 batches to cook all of the bites. Place on a well greased baking sheet and put in preheated over for 15 to 18 minutes. Be sure that the pretzels are not touching one another on the baking sheet.
Once golden brown, remove and allow to cool for five minutes. Meanwhile, melt 1/4 cup of Earth Balance and prepare cinnamon sugar mixture. Once pretzel bites are cool enough to handle, toss them in the Earth Balance and coat them in the cinnamon sugar, and ENJOY!
These pretzel bites were perfect pretzel consistency. They reminded me a lot of Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels! I think these will become a regular staple when I feel like indulging. These would be absolutely incredible with just Earth Balance and chunky salt. I feel an addiction coming on…
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