As football season started on a very high note in the Gator Nation (pray it stays this way,) and my sister snap chats me out at MidTown on the reg, I can't help but feel way too nostalgic about college these days. Especially because this is the first year EVER (not ever, but it feels like it,) that I'm not returning back to school after the summer. It's different.  So I thought I would put all of my favorite memories into one post so I can feel like I'm reliving college again for this very moment. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier to be working full time in a city I love, but MAN I miss college.

Top 5 things I miss most about college:

1. Friends, obviously. But really, it's hard being so far away from such great friends you make in college, right? It sucks. However, it just means more visits and travel to look forward to! 

2. Football games!! I remember my first UF home game. Or do I? Too much tailgating. Too much fun. There's a Gator Club in Philadelphia so you bet I'm going this Saturday night to watch them WIN. Am I getting obnoxious yet?

3. THE GYM. I had two jobs for my campus recreation program and it was literally my third home. RecSports was where I learned how to teach a group fitness class and also where I learned probably the most about anything related to becoming a young professional. I was a program assistant for the group fitness program there and was spoiled very much so. Meaning that every gym and group fitness program I've been to since RecSports just doesn't even come close. Well done, RecSports. Well done. 

4. Being able to skip class. You can't just skip work. It doesn't work like that. 

5. Being only 4 hours away from my family. I'm still getting used to this because it feels like I was just away for the summer, but being able to see my family only a few times a year is going to be a big change. What am I, an adult?

These are only a few things that I miss, but there is much more. Gainesville, FL has an awesome culture that's equally hipster and southern. It sits right in the middle of where tropical Florida meets Northern Florida. I'll also miss the late night pizzas (not that I won't do this currently, but it's not the same,) Dennis the go-go street dancer, REALLY lazy hungover Sundays,  the Gainesville winters (mostly because I'm not too excited about this northern winter coming up,) Paynes Prairie hikes, THE TOP,  stadium workouts...UGH I COULD GO ON. 

If you're still in college, ENJOY IT. It goes way, way too fast. 

XO-Rach

Let's chat! What's your favorite part about college? Best memory?

Hey there! How was everyone's Labor Day weekend?

Mine was great - considering the awesome protein pancakes recipe I'm about to share with you :) On Friday evening, Michael and I headed up to the Poconos to stay with a couple of our friends at their house. I had never been up there before and it was just beautiful. So peaceful, quiet and we couldn't have gotten more lucky with the weather. I don't have many pictures because I wanted to disconnect a bit this weekend from technology. On Friday night we sat on the porch and had a few too many drinks in the cool weather. We had intentions to get in a workout Saturday morning, but instead we slept in and drove up the road for a diner breakfast - you know, the greasy kind that cures all feelings of a hangover? So great.

After getting some food in our bellies, we geared up for a full day at the lake with a huge cooler filled with LOTS of beer and snacks. We got to the lake and headed into the water for a full day of floating - with our floating cooler. We swam (floated) all the way to the other side of the lake and back, and didn't get out of the water for a good 3-4 hours. 

Obviously in Gator gear for an awesome Gator win on Saturday night! Full of beer and all sunned out, we headed back home to relax and grill a delicious dinner of chicken, asparagus and zucchini. 

We headed back to Philadelphia yesterday late morning. Today has consisted of lots of relaxing! I got in a great workout earlier, mostly because I had all the time in the world and didn't have to rush! I love that, don't you? I'll post my workout later this week - it was a sweaty one! Now we're just enjoying being lazy (aka blogging + watching Arrested Development the rest of the day) before getting back into a busy working routine tomorrow.

Before working out, we woke up slow and I wanted pancakes, but after a weekend full of not the healthiest meals, I wanted a healthier version - cue the homemade protein pancakes! These are easy to make and if you're one of those "ew cottage cheese!" people, I'm sure greek yogurt would work just as well :) 

[yumprint-recipe id='1']

Good morning! How's everyone's week going? Mine seems to be flying by like crazy - I think it's a mixture between being consistently busy at work and not getting home until 8 every night due to teaching or working out after work. Busy is GOOD. Do you agree? A quick catch up before I share a Fluffy Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe!

Last night I taught my first spin class in a while at FitLife, which is conveniently located right near my apartment. It was a lot of fun - spin is definitely one of my favorites to teach.

As far as half marathon training goes, I've ran once this week and it was a disgusting, humid run. My right shin is acting up a bit, so I've been focusing on cross training and strength this week - I'll get back to it next week. I was going to taper off and do a shorter long run this weekend anyway, so I am still on track.

NOW, let's get to the fun part, shall we? Maybe you've noticed that a lot of my baked goods on the blog lately have been muffins. This is because 1. I love muffins. 2. The only type of pan I have is a muffin tin since I moved. I don't have a loaf pan or brownie pan yet to make bars or blondies - so muffins it is!

I wanted to whip up a light snack or desert I could have on hand for the week and these came out perfect. I hate when baked goods are just way too sweet and these are a great level of sweetness.

Here's what you'll need: 

• 1 cup oat flour (blended up oats!)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or more, this is when less is NOT more)

Here's what to do:

• Pre-heat the oven to 350
• Mix together all of the dry ingredients (except the sugar) in a medium bowl
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla, sour cream, milk and brown sugar
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until smooth
• Fold in the chocolate chips
• Grease a muffin tin and fill with batter a third of the way
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are just golden brown - let them cool

The recipe yields 12 small muffins.

The sour cream in these gives them a rich feeling, almost like pound cake, but the oat flour keeps them nice and light. I love using sour cream in baked goods - it really adds a lot. If you don't believe me, check out this article.

Have a good THURSDAY! Almost the long weekend :)

XO - Rach

What's your favorite kind of muffin?

Long weekend plans?

Scared of sour cream in baked goods?