Buongiorno! The comments are still rolling in about Maxim and SnackFace’s third b-day— thank you. Some of you are really winning me over. The model debacle is bringing to light a greater issue: a blogger’s accountability and responsibility to her audience in 2012. I’ve been underestimating both myself and my readers.

But because I’m still not ready to fully delve into that (not during the busiest month of the year at work…although, we say that about every month). Instead, here are some delicious eats I’ve been enjoying post-superhero outfit. (Can that be funny yet? Too soon?)

Breakfasts are 500 times better with sugar and granola.Lunches are still relatively the same: salad, proteins, cheeses and now fruit.

My favorite dinner as of late, though, is breakfasty. Green smoothies are so two years ago, but I still enjoy them every now and then. I’ve finally found the perfect blend (listed in the order in which I add and blend them):

• 1 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 scoop Sun Warrior Blends vanilla
• sprinkle of stevia
• 1 extremely ripe banana, sliced (helps blender)
• 2 C spinach
• 4-5 ice cubes

That’s it!(Green reminds me of Green Goblin, which reminds me of that Lil’ Wayne line. That’s really how my mind works.)

Can I deem this a Green Goblin instead of a Green Monster?

The other component of dinner that is also exquisitely breakfasty is:Refill that mug two times and I’m golden. I could stand a slightly stronger peanut butter flavor on the Cheerios, but I understand my love for all things peanut butter is extreme.

While I’m eating, I have to deal with this:Just a hungry little angel who usually gets her way.

OK! I have to run! I need to get up in six hours. Love you later.

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Questions: 

Smoothies: What’s your favorite combo?
Peanut butter cereals: Panda Puffs, Puffins or Peanut Butter Cheerios? I’m going with Cheerios because the first two tear apart the roof of my mouth.

Hi, homies. What an interesting discussion my gig created! I love creating great discussions, but I have to draw a line somewhere. I’m not talking about it anymore today. The scrutiny has to stop. The digging-up-things-I-wrote-years-ago has to stop.

Can we please talk about frivolous, fun, not-up-for-debate things today? Can we all get along? Hug it out? Cumbayá? Let’s talk about…

…How I had my hair chopped.

It feels 100 times healthier!

…The fact that Cheez-Its are one of my to 10 favorite snacks of all time, and I’d be as bold to say they’re one of the best snacks on the market. If I could slap a smiling SnackFace stamp of approval on every box, I would.

I went hard.

…The only way to tailgate is in a huge, beautiful, heated tent.

Hosted by...

Uh oh! And DJ-ed by Jermaine Dupri.

…Beer is almost as essential as water.

Reunited and it feels... you know the rest.

…OK, one thing we can debate: Why is pretzel bread so muthafluffin’ good? What makes it divine? Why is it having a moment? I can’t resist!

Don't even get me started on the beer cheese.

SnackFace is three years young as of February 1. It has changed and evolved since I founded it. I was 21 when I started writing this blog and I’m now 24. When I publish a blog post, I invite you to read my journey, and thus far, my journey has been through the break-neck pace of my early twenties. A lot has changed in a short period of time.

This is what SnackFace is about right now: keeping it light, having fun, chatting about food/style/workouts/trends/pop culture, being honest, sharing stories from my life and making the most of the opportunities that come my way. Heaven knows my blog and I will continue to change over time.

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Questions: Let’s talk…

-Do you have a signature haircut? If so, what’s it like? Ever stray?

-What’s your favorite commercial snack-aisle snack?

-Tailgating: Yay or nay?

-Beer, wine or liquor? I’m a big fan of all three.

-Pretzels: Anyone have a killa recipe? 

I don’t know if I believe in luck. But there are some instances in life when I can’t help but think, “Damn! How did I get so lucky?” This weekend? One of those instances. For Super Bowl 2012, I had the incredible opportunity to work with Maxim magazine as one of its superheroes. When I got the phone call that I’d landed the part, I was in disbelief. And then I did whatever I had to do to do the costume justice.

Funny thing is, there was a costume mix-up and I had a total Carrie/Fashion Roadkill/”The Real Me” episode moment. (For those who weren’t SatC fans, Carrie is in a fashion show and thinks she’s wearing one thing when– BAM! — she’s wearing panties down the runway.) You want me to wear what? OK! If walking around the party of the year in that all night isn’t a test of one’s confidence, I don’t know what is. Though daunting at first, it ended up being an empowering costume.

I felt alive taking on the Red Glare character and posing for hundreds of pictures throughout the night. It was overwhelming in the best way possible. I am beyond thankful that I was able to be a part of this. A huge thanks to the Maxim crew for the opportunity and for putting on an unforgettable party. These are the only pictures at the moment, but I’ll share more as they come in!

This is dangerously close to my old cheerleading uniform!

I met the most talented, wonderful people; partied not only like a rockstar, but with a rockstar; and  had the time of my life. I’m thanking my lucky stars.

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Image Sources: Maxim and Getty Images

February 3, 2012. MattyRich, my dearest little broseph, today is your day. It’s here. You’re 21.

I was tempted to title this post: “My Brother Is Cooler Than I Am”…

Dancing on his wagon8er/swagon.

He really is. In high school, I was a senior and he was a freshman. I’d tell him about the latest in music. Now I heavily rely on his expertise. M.Rich, I believe that’s one of your greatest gifts: scouting musicians early on. You have an ear, my man.

Matt, here are my wishes for you in your ballingest year of all, 21. Please…

…Always stay dapper.

He has that swagger and he can't stop!

Stay dedicated in your unconventional, wonderful, perfect-for-you path. You’re braver than I’ve ever been.

Whistle while you twerk. I mean work. Don't twerk.

Forever stay the dude who smiles and hugs and sends me puppy pictures.

Identical smiles!

Can we promise each other to always be at the annual Christmas Eve party together? I promise I’ll be the DD this year.

Christmas Eve 2008. Practically little kids!

Your goofiness and humor is infectious. Share it with everyone. (Also please continue to deadpan rap lyrics to me.)

Or else I'll share it with the internet FOR you.

You’re 21 now. I can’t believe it. Weren’t you just in high school? Weren’t we just driving to school in the Saab, singing to Jack Johnson? But now… now I get to take you out in Athens and Cincy and everywhere else. (Ahhh, I still can’t believe we haven’t gone out in Athens!) Also, as long as I’m living in this state, CALL ME if you need a ride. Seriously.

But anyway, HAPPY FRICKIN’ BIRTHDAY! Thank you for being the best little brother a sister could ask for. I love ya.

Miami, 2008. We are going back.

After dinner is usually when I get my SnackFace on. In fact, that’s how this blog name originated. My mom and I were chillin’ after dinner when she announced that she had her SnackFace on and— surprise of all surprises— so did I! I’m pretty much always ready to eat.

While traveling the low-carb road, savory snacks have been no problem. Cheese, cottage cheese, turkey slices, more cheese. Easy. It’s the sweet stuff that trips me up. Wait, chocolate has carbs? WAIT, cereal does, too? Kidding.

But seriously. I need something at the end of every day to cap off my day of eating. Thanks to some very sweet readers, I’ve been noshing on Deb’s muffin. I MEAN, I have been enjoying her recipe for microwave muffin cake things. I’m calling them things because they still freak me out a little in that they can be made in the microwave.

I will be the first to call myself out on this: Whenever I see someone trying to eat a replica of a real thing, I roll my eyes and think, “They’re out of their muthafluffin’ mind.” I keep it inside most of the time. But like any good hypocrite, I have been schooled. It’s been broughten. (<Intentional grammatically poor reference.) The masses have been right and I have been so very wrong. Judgy Wudgy was a bear, and that bear was ME.

OK, you get it now. What I’m saying is that the following is not a cupcake or muffin…:But it is pretty damn good when you need something sweet and satisfying while working out like Chris Evans prepping for his Captain America role.

I deem this a French Toast Protein (Motha)Fluffin’:

Based off Deb’s smart recipe, here’s what goes into this fluffin’:

• 1 T coconut flour
• 1 T Sun Warrior vanilla protein blend
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 packet Truvia
• 2 egg whites (more like 1.5 but it’s hard…and ridiculous… to add half an egg white)
• 1 1/2 T applesauce

Holla! Only five more days until my gig and I am STOKED. Super duper stoked. It is crunch time, BIG time. This post is a bit of a progress report, so if you are sensitive to seeing clean eats, poultry and workouts, I suggest you click off the site. I’m not sharing pictures of myself— don’t worry. But if you’re sensitive to the talking of cleaning things up, please avert your beautiful eyes.

So how has that thing that caused so much controversy been going? Amazingly! I’ve been fairly dedicated to eating right for me and exercising six days a week. There have been a few carbocious things I probably shouldn’t have eaten, but they didn’t make much of an impact (chocolate chips? fresh bread? bites of mashed potato? yes).

Because I know I’m going to get questions about eating meat again, I will post about that separately. Here’s the bottom line for now: I’m being selfish and eating what I want. I know it’s possible to get plenty of protein on a plant-based diet. In 2011, I went through a slew of tests and blood work, and everything checked out perfectly healthy. How I feel eating the way I am now versus weeks or months ago is remarkable. I have more energy, I’ve never had better digestion, and I’m feeling stronger than ever, my skin is still clear, I have little to no bloat, I’m seeing muscles I didn’t know I had…I’ll stop now. Mind you, this is a combination of all I’m doing (no grains/gluten, no sugar, few ingredients in everything) and the vitamins I’m taking, but the difference is notable.

Here is a sample of what my days have been like:

6:45 a.m. Breakfast:

Almond coconut milk + Sun Warrior blend + cinnamon + truvia + vanilla extract. Delicious!

Plus:

4% cottage cheese with Sunbutter, cinnamon and stevia. This looks like it's 2 tbsp of cottage cheese when it was really 1/2 cup-ish.

With this, I take a packet of vitamins, biotin and an iron + B12 supplement. I also drink a cup of tea.

11 a.m. SnackFace:

Turkey muffins and cucumber slices.

Or I’ll eat string cheese and almonds. I’ve been going HAM on the almonds lately.

1 p.m. lunch:

Maybe I gave up on creativity. Turkey muffins with romaine, celery, provolone, hummus and EVOO.

3/4 p.m. SnackFace:

The best almonds you will ever eat.

Plus another protein shake!

6 p.m. Gym time! Enter 3 or 4 miles of cardio intervals and two muscle groups worked. Tonight, for example, I did 4 miles of intervals on the elliptical and followed that up with thighs and shoulders. I sometimes eat a protein bar immediately afterward.

7:30 p.m. Nail time…

Nails did, everything did.

This clearly doesn’t happen every day, but it had been 17 days since my last (and first) gel manicure. I simply had to.

8:00 p.m. Dinner:

Whole zucchini and whole bell pepper sauteed in EVOO and topped with scrambled eggs (1 egg, 2 whites).

Later in the evening (a.k.a. as soon as I finish writing this), I’ll either have cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with peanut butter OR a protein mug cake of sorts. This is also when chocolate chips tend to find their way to my mouth.

Because it’s crunch time, posts will be short and sweet this week. To those of you who previously volunteered guest posts, please holla at me again so we can set up ideas, times, etc. Thank you in advance!

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Question: What’s the last event you prepped for? Competition? Race? Party? Wedding? Prom? 

Happy weekend, my loves. After a week that had me busy from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m every day, I’ve never been more thankful for the weekend.

Finally, I can slow down and breathe. Slowing down and breathing obviously equates to pancakes on Saturday. Who’s with me?

Cooking, waiting for a bubbling surface.

Looking good. Beautiful golden brown.

The happiest plate of the week thus far. (We'll see what date night has in store!)

One recipe, four pancakes.

Fluffy!

I used Pimp My Protein Shake’s recipe for blackberry pancakes made with coconut flour, and was wildly pleased with the results. I used frozen wild blueberries instead of blackberries, which offered sweet, warm pops of flavor throughout.

On the agenda today: gym with DM (I snuck him in the last time muhaha), post office, bank, browsing but not buying and then dinna out. Have a beautiful Saturday, all!

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Heyo! I missed you guys. But I am thisclose to falling asleep. Why?

The theme of the work week: meetings.

(But seriously.) Source

The theme of my eats: salad, protein, protein cake things, cheese, cottage cheese, cheese on cheese on cheese. (Kidding.)

The theme of my social life: nonexistent. At least for this week and next.

The theme of my after-hours activities: gym.

The theme of my emails: see above three themes.

The theme in my head: I’m tired.

I was a few seconds away from a nervous breakdown today. After work (I left at 5:15 p.m., which already makes me feel guilty— it’s too early), I drove across town to a 6 p.m. appointment. As soon as I parked the car and turned it off, POOF! Something under the hood released a pop of sound and loads of steam. I’m not good in these situations. Not at all. I called DM. I called my dad. I went to my appointment. I swapped cars with Popsicle afterward. (THANK YOU!)

I drove to the gym. Changed into clothes that had been sitting in the freezing cold all day. Had a major sourpuss on. Then I planted myself on an elliptical with beach-themed magazines (read: old), Wale, Big Sean and Waka Flocka. And within minutes, everything was OK. Exercise therapy + music therapy = the ultimate.

I didn’t get home until 9. Finished dinner at 9:35. Watched American Idol. Showered. And then, I headed to bed to start this insanity all over again. Who else feels as though they’re after-work schedule is like an entirely separate day (or should be)?

Is it the weekend yet?

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Question: What are some themes of your week thus far?

Holla! Before I get into anything else, I have to take care of this. The winner of the Love Grown Giveaway is #159, Casey! Ms. Casey said:

Casey January 13, 2012 at 1:49 pm

Casey January 13, 2012 at 1:49 pm 

I also tweeted about this giveaway!

Casey, doll, please email me your address and I’ll have delicious granola on your way!

So today. Monday. I’m always amazed by how sore my upper back gets within three hours of sitting at a computer. These are the serious thoughts that run through my mind. I wasn’t thinking about it yet while I ate breakfast in a cozy, overly cushioned armchair.

Why, yes, I'd love sunbutter with a side of yogurt.

I’ve been making a habit of taking vitamins and supplements every single day. Usually, I buy bottles and take a pill once. Game over. But not anymore!

Biotin, Kirkland pack of everything, Iron and B12.

I was buzzing all morning. It was either the B vitamins or the French press coffee.

The day commenced with phone calls, writing, researching, brainstorming, etc. I snacked throughout it all, as I am wont to do.

Cucumber and string cheese. Gourmet.

If you want to be kind to your taste buds, do not buy this flavor.

I ate lunch while in a meeting, so no pic of that. No pic of the emergency Luna I ate in approximately 37 seconds at 4:33 p.m., either.

After work, I drove to my BFF’s. By that, I clearly mean the gym. Is anyone else unusually antisocial at the gym? Everywhere else, I’m ready to strike up a conversation with anyone. At the gym, though, I want no one to talk to me as I grunt, huff, puff and sweat my lady bits off. I’ve been going to the same gym for several years now, and I don’t even know the staff members’ names. That’s kind of wrong, isn’t it?

Actively avoiding eye contact with any other human being, I ellipticized for 4 miles while doing some major intervals. Followed that up with 20 reps each of bench press, chest flyes, dumb bell press (all three while on balance ball in a bridge), dips, push-ups and calf raises; no rest between sets; completed three times through, total. I’m currently having a difficult time raising my arms to type.

The second I walked into the door at home, I made a protein shake. The whole protein-shake-immediately-post-workout thing is new to me, but I’ve wanted to try a certain protein powder for years now.

Unsweetened almond coconut milk (yes, it does exist!), vanilla Sun Warrior and a teeny bit of stevia makes for a cake-like shake.

I was relieved more than anything. There have been many times in which I’ve tried new protein powders, taken a big gulp or bite (depending on preparation) and gagged. “Dirt? Earth? Nature? Is that what this is?” Sun Warrior is, thankfully, a different story. It blends easily, creates a nice froth and reminds me of store-bought vanilla cupcakes. (That last one is a good thing.)

I showered up— struggling to lift my arms the whole time— and headed back to the kitchen for dinner.

Head of lettuce, red bell pepper, smoked gouda and chicken burger. Dressing made of chipotle hummus, balsamic and water to smooth it out.

MamaJ just started I Don’t Know How She Does It. I’m completely distracted now. SJP is my girl. Still. Always. Forever.

OK, loves, I’m out of here! OH! Wait. I bought coconut flour because I keep seeing incredible recipes, and now I can’t find those incredible recipes. I’d love a link to any recipes you’ve tried and enjoyed using it!

Now I’m out. Scatterbrained and it’s only Monday. Yeesh!

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Questions: Do you like talking to others at the gym or do you keep to yourself? Do you know the staff? I’m wondering what’s proper gym etiquette here… I smile and say quick, “Hi! Fine, thanks!” but that’s the extent of it.

**Apparently, I wrote a post with the same title not so long ago!

Hello, all! I have only a few final words on the hubbub and then I’m done: Thank you to the supporters and the dissenters and everyone in between. I’ve learned from you all. Now can we please move on? Great!

Sunday was just as it should be: a lovely mix of relaxing and productive. It started with coffee, Chef Roblé & Co and breakfast:

2% Chobani with cinnamon, stevia and Sunbutter.

After an hour or two of lounging, DM and I showered and got ready for an afternoon out. I needed out of the house, but first I needed a snack.

Turkey and provolone roll ups. Isn't it bizarre to see meat on here?

We spent some time at Starbucks working and sipping on blonde roasts and strawberry smoothies. Work wrapped up, we drove over to Whole Foods for lunch.

Greens, peppers, cucumbers, chicken, almonds and sesame stick things that I cannot resist.

Pepper jack.

Basking in the sunshine pouring in the windows.

Not.

Insert shopping, an hour of House Hunters and a nap. Then more snacks.

Salt-and-pepper pistachios, pepper jack, pretzel bread.

DM had to leave just before dinner. The worst part of the weekend, by far. Thankfully, I’ll be seeing him in just four days.

Dinner consisted of leftovers from Saturday and honestly looks a little dismal (but was great).

Piccata, portobellos, broccoli.

Did dishes, gabbed with the fam, did some laundry. Usual Sunday things. And then I ate again.

2% Fage + Sun Warrior vanilla + Ghirardelli semi-sweet chips because it's a chocolaty time of the month.

That’s that. Perfectly calm, normal, stable, easygoing. Just as I’m hoping this week in blogging will be! Ha!

Ciao for now,

Kailey

Question: How was YOUR Sunday?