It was a low-key week, which was perfect. Thing 1 came down with a bug and I promptly caught it. There was hardly any running, a mere 3 miles on snowy, foggy trails was all she wrote.
There was strength work and core and swimming and hamstring rehab too so don’t add me to camp slacker just yet.
Saturday I took a blog fieldtrip to my local New Balance store and spent the morning shopping for the perfect marathon shoe, which I hope I found. More on that plus a giveaway tomorrow.
Saturday afternoon was pretty quiet. Thing 1 was at a Sweet 16 party, and the Caveman took Thing 2 and her friends to the movies. So I invaded the man-cave, since the caveman recently bought himself a new, extra-large screen TV, and watched NBC’s coverage of the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Who doesn’t freaking love watching that? I cry every damn time and this year was no different. It was the perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon.
This is the last school week before winter break. I’m scrambling to get teacher/hostess gifts together before we head to Florida next week. I whipped up a mighty big batch of my Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bark. It’s so tasty and best of all it’s deceptively easy to make.
Seriously you just melt chocolate and sprinkle some goodness on it and chill. Nuts About Berries fruit/nut blend from Now Foods has a delicious mixture of almonds, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, cashews, blueberries, cherries and pumpkin seeds. All those great fruits plus dark chocolate = a healthy, antioxidant-rich holiday treat in my book!
| Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bark | | Print |
- 1 12 oz. bag bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 8 oz. bag NOW Foods Nuts About Berries Fruit/Nut Blend
- 1 t Smoked salt (or to taste)
- Temper the chocolate chips on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Spread melted chocolate on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
- Immediately sprinkle the Nuts About Berries blend over the chocolate followed by the smoked salt. Chill until hardened. Break into pieces.
How was your week? Has holiday stuff got you scrambling? Fave hostess or teacher gift?
This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is favorite books of the year. Stop by and share your favorite running books and/or cookbooks!
I’m linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap…
…with Deb and Sarah for Meatless Monday….
…and with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup. Join us!
That bark looks so amazing and easy. I’m sure my family would think it’s too healthy, tho. Meanwhile, I baked my peppermint bars complete with 2 sticks of butter…
PS Do you XC ski? I could have used your company today! It was glorious. If you don’t, I think it’s time…the hammy would like it.
This looks great! I got alot of holiday shopping done today, but I just have my fingers crossed that its all delivered in time for Christmas . Im excited to hear more about your running shoe excursion!
That does sound like the perfect way to spend a Saturday! I love a good ugly cry as I watch people finish races!
Ah man I cannot believe I missed Kona – I watch the coverage every year!
Sorry you got hit with the bug – I was down a good bit of the week too 🙁
Looking forward to hearing about your field trip and which show you picked!
Oh, that chocolate bark looks heavenly! I’m looking for easy treats (that look deceptively tricky LOL) This is another to add to my arsenal 😉
I love a good homemade chocolate bark. This one looks gorgeous and easy and plausibly healthy, too– a perfect teacher gift or holiday snack.
Oh my, Marcia! That fruit & nut bark looks incredible and so festive!!! I was shocked to see the minimal ingredients and steps. This is definitely my kind of recipe! Thank you for sharing 🙂
ooooh thank you!!!!
teacher gifts must be made this week here too.
xo
Don’t worry, I had the corner on slacker last week. Well, no, in reality I just needed/need tons & tons of rest. And luckily I could afford to do it.
The nice thing about bark? It never goes bad. I have some peppermint bark in my fridge from a couple of years ago. I just try to ignore the fact that it’s there.
I used to do a ton of holiday cookie baking because . . . cookies. But then I realized that it really wasn’t doing me any favors. Last year I baked dog treats. Not sure I’ll get around to that this year . . . maybe.
This looks delicious! Definitely a great gift idea!
I’ve actually never seen the Kona Championship…I just know triathletes inspire the heck out of me!
This looks delicious. And I think it would be much better received than traditional fruitcake! My hubs has got one of those extra large TVs. I rarely watch it, unless we order up a movie. He gets mad ’cause I still watch the non-digital channels. I can’t tell the difference and I KNOW those numbers by heart. 😉 Thanks for linking, Marcia!
Dark chocolate with anything a little salty in it is dreamy 🙂
I hope your bug clears the house fast and you all are feeling better.
I need to go on a shoe hunt again myself…looking for my sole mate 🙂
What?? How easy this is! I love easy recipes. Well I have officially started Christmas shopping. We picked up a few gifts while down on the coast this weekend and I’ve been busy with the keybord this morning! Gotta love on-line shopping for sure! Thanks for joining us Marcia!
We’ve got a bug floating around here too. I woke up last Monday not feeling so well, but I was able to eat breakfast, so I went to work. I do not want to get sick this holiday season. I have way too much going on (which probably means I will).
Oh this looks easy and oh so yummy! Thanks for linking up today have a great week
We watched the Kona Ironman too!
So, I have to share that in Teaching 101 they tell us not to ever eat any food that is given to us from students that wasn’t pre-packaged. I think I’ve broken that rule every year though and I never got sick…lol. Your bark looks amazing. I hope the teachers like it. Safe travels to Florida!
For some reason I am intimidated by recipes that have me melt chocolate. I guess I should figure it out bc this looks great.
Haha! I, too, love to watch Kona Ironman and cry every time as well. The stories are just so inspiring and always leave me feeling like a real sluggard though! 🙂
The chocolate bark looks divine, I may have to give that a try. I’m with Coco though, for some reason I’m intimidated by melting chocolate and caramels ….my previous attempts usually ended up scorched. :/
Those winter weather conditions you guys deal with up there intimidate me as well …this Southern girl just could NOT handle that! Wimps, yes, we’re wimps!
The fruit & nut bark looks amazing! I am pinning it to make a batch this week, YUM!! I have been running around like a mad woman trying to get Christmas shopping done and have everything ready for the big day here. I wanted to watch Kona last weekend, but will have to try and watch it after the holidays. It will be motivating when I have a long trainer ride!! thanks for linking up, Have a Great Week 🙂
I love anything with chocolate. My kids know i love chocolate and coffee. Tomorrow is my last day of work before winter break. Finally!!