I have not posted some food pics in a while so I thought I would share a few recent food experiences with you. Lent started 2 weeks ago, and being the Catholic that I am means it was time to "give-up" something. Every year I typically give up chocolate. Well, I kind of LOVE chocolate, so I decided I would allow myself to eat "Chocolate", but not cookies/cake/icecream and dessert related treats. That way I could still satisfy my sweet tooth, but eliminate extra sugars and calories that I dont need. Because I have given up those oh-so-tempting sweets, I have resorted to alot of equisite coffees. Most recently, I tried a Cubano-Cortado. Basically a shot of espresso made with raw sugar (cubano) and a coffee with a small amount of milk (cortado). Heres a picture of the tasty beauty (yes I biked there): Also, I have always wondered whether Alcohol has a contributing effect on our workouts and success as athletes. Obviously, it effects our workouts if we drink too much, But what about in the long term?Lent sounded like the perfect reason and time-trial to test this out. Easter is 1 week before my first race of the year, so it will literally take me right up to when I am "peaking". I have already gone my Birthday, Valentines Day, the Rodeo and multiple Day-Drinking/Bar-hopping adventures without having a drink, and its really not so bad. However, some of my friends think I am crazy, and Yes I really do want to have a drink...But I will wait! So, with all my extra money from not buying drinks (HA-not really) I have been buying lots of yummy and healthy, fresh foods. One night last week I made a homemade pizza with Trader-joes, whole wheat pizza dough. When I was in college at Penn State, one of my best friends and I used to do this on the weekly, so I think I need to start doing it again! Another recipe I am trying is a Chia Pudding. I think I saw this on pinterest and you can really put anything you want in it, but its SUPER easy! Chia seeds are awesome because when you let them set, them absorb all the moisture and get "gel-like". My Chia pudding calls for: