Best of Both Worlds

Oof, where has this week gone?

I was able to attend a work conference this week and it was a good time.  In part because of the location- a hotel adjacent to the Mall of America.  No, not even adjacent really- directly connected.  Joy!

Plus the hotel itself was super cool and posh and had these pod-like baskets in the lobby.

I was too chicken to go hang out there.  Maybe if I were 5, or drunk.

Voila!  The walkway.  We had several breaks during the conference.  A quick lap around the mall?  Don't mind if I do.

Now even though I really only live a half hour from the MOA, I don't make it down here too often (unless you consider "monthly" to be "often").  So it was fun to walk around and see the sights and visit the holy land.

Ohh Urban Outfitters.  You make me cringe.  I used to want to belong here.  I even once bought a shirt with an owl on it that said "Give a hoot- don't pollute!"  I probably paid $40 for it too.  Looking back...what the heck?  I don't even like owls, and you know I'm pro-pollution.  Stupid youth.

There is a Peeps World.  I will not be surprised when this place dies.  They had all different colors and flavors of Peeps.  I had to be a little shady when taking the pictures 'cause the salesgirl was watching me and she had just given me a free Peep, and I didn't want to be the creepster with the camera phone.  Anyway, these are buckets of cake-flavored, lemonade-flavored, and vanilla-flavored Peeps.

You know how often I find myself wanting a nice Peep?

Yeeeeah...see you next Easter.

What is it about Cinnabon's smell?  I swear they bottle up that smell and they pay the employees to walk in a 300 yard radius.  You might be down by Old Navy, but *sniff sniff*- OMG that's right they have a Cinnabon on the other corner of the mall!  Points to me for resisting and having my high protein blueberry muffin.

Cute!  I mean, tacky! 

Ye Olde Camp Snoopy.  That is how I shall thenceforth speak in remembrance of thee.  I think it's still called Nickelodeon Universe?  Or "The Park at The MOA?"  Or "Place that I stopped caring about 19 years ago?"

Although points for having a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ride.  Do kids nowadays know what this is??  Awesome.  I remember I spent many a sunny summer afternoon watching my brothers play "TMNT: Turtles in Time." I remember even referring to the game as "TIT!" until my mom told me what that meant.  Stupid youth.

 AHHHHHHHHHHHH!  (That is the sound of a choir of angels singing the praise of this- my most favoritest store in the land).

Nordstrom Rack has like a time vortex.  I enter, shop around, and when I leave, an hour has magically passed by.  I am on a b-*cough*-udget lately, but I scored this super cute beach towel.

Ta da!  Fun.

Okay so yes, I've had a good week so far.  And those high protein blueberry muffins I made are delish.  Perfect snack.  Way more protein than a typical muffin.  Make them.  Eat them. 

High Protein Blueberry Muffins (makes 12)
1 cup soy milk or almond milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the milk and vinegar in a glass measuring cup, stir, and set aside.

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Create a well in the middle of the bowl.  Add the wet ingredients, except for the berries, and stir until just combined.  Fold in the berries.

Line your muffin tin with paper liners.  Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.  Bake 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Allow to cool before serving, and refrigerate for up to a week.

Per muffin: 170 calories, 7 g fat, 8 g protein, 2 g fiber

Perfect for fueling a shopping trip, er, work conference.