As Ryan and I ate breakfast together yesterday, I said I kind of felt like bowling. Since I usually find bowling to be one of the most boring activities on the planet, Ryan was shocked and said we had to take advantage of my sudden interest and head out for a midday bowling date.
After lunch, we threw socks into my purse and drove to the local bowling alley where we donned snazzy shoes and engaged in some friendly competition.
Bowling shoes just so darn sexy.
Neither Ryan nor I are particularly good at bowling, but I am especially awful, so I was pretty pumped to simply break 100!
I had a pretty stellar start in both of the games that we played, but failed to keep the momentum going.
At least it was a good time!
We played two real games before goofing around and trying new bowling techniques through a third game.
Before heading home for the day, I requested a pit stop at Peachwave, my favorite frozen yogurt shop in Ocala.
I got a combination of eggnog and cupcake flavored frozen yogurt topped with sprinkles and whipped cream.
Dinner
When Ryan and I arrived home, it was almost time for dinner. Before digging into our crockpot meal, I took 10 minutes or so to throw together some homemade toasted coconut vanilla protein bars using a recipe that Ryan found online last week that intrigued both of us.
The recipe was super simple and came together in less than 10 minutes.
I stirred together coconut shavings, Coconut Secret coconut flour and GNC vanilla cream protein powder before adding milk (I needed more milk than the recipe called for) and shaping the dough into bars.
I could already tell from taste testing the dough alone that we were going to like these bars, but after topping them with melted chocolate, the bars went from good to really good. The sweet vanilla flavor from the protein powder and the texture of the coconut flakes were a winning combination.
Though you can tell they’re protein bars (they don’t taste like coconut brownies or anything), they are sweet and filling and Ryan and I both ended up eating one as a pre-dinner snack.
Dinner itself was delicious and super easy.
Earlier in the day, I placed a beef shoulder roast in the crockpot along with some Brussels sprouts, carrots and onion and covered everything with beef broth before adding a sprinkle of garlic salt and letting it cook on low for eight hours.
It made the house smell fantastic and tasted delicious on a chilly night!
Time to change and head to church. Enjoy your Sunday!
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I used to play bowling in my early teens…I was the European Champion one year and won a bowling ball, I even had my own shoes which were possibly even less sexy than the standard red and black ones they give you!
I can safely say that I’ve never actually had the urge to go bowling in the middle of the day, but the few times that I have gone, I just submitted to the silly shoes and had a blast! Those bars do look quite good, though chocolate covered anything usually makes the cut. I do love coconut, though, so I’ll have to give these a try with some hemp/rice protein!
I am Dying to eat some pot roast like that…looks SO good. BUT I live in a place where everything is the generic, “not healthy” stuff. Its a bummer. You buy only the “happy” kinds of meat and stuff don’t you?
I would love to tear in to that!
Oh yummmm! Froyo and those protein bars look so good! I’m usually not the biggest bowling fan either but sometimes it can be fun 🙂
Nice going on the bowling….like you, I almost always hate the idea of it but once in a while get the urge! And cupcake flavor fro yo…say whaaaat!
I think the last time I went bowling was … high school gym class? Bowling parties used to be popular during middle school, but even during this three-year time frame, I was never any good either!
I love using the crockpot. That looks delish.
What a fun date! My boyfriend loves blowing, he has his own ball and shoes, so we frequently have blowing dates.
Fun Fact; I was on a bowling team for two years but I’m really not that good.
It was snowing here yesterday and I insisted on getting fro-yo. Nothing can stop the craving!!
I love some froyo! I love making my own protein bars so I’ll have to try those!
It’s been so long since I went bowling! I’m not particularly good either, but if I’m in the mood, it’s fun.
And those homemade protein bars look so good! I want to make protein bars as soon as my shipment of protein powder gets delivered.
I’m going to try that crockpot meal. I’ve been meaning to use mine for years. I’m the same way about bowling. I usually get bored just thinking about it lol.
Those bars look delicious! I usually have the same feelings toward bowling but it can be fun once in a blue moon!
It’s been so long since I last went bowling, a few years at least! Fun!
We have peachwave here in Kansas City and I love it! And I love bowling, I’m also awful but it’s fun!
You and Ryan are the cutesssst <3
Your crock pot meal looks delish! Don’t know why I don’t think of pulling mine out to make simple things like that more often. I need to remember the crock pot. The coconut bars look pretty yummy too! I made some coconut bars with coconut oil, and unsweetened shaved coconut recently, but they were just “meh”. LOL Yours look much tastier.
Haha bowling is so random but always makes for such fun dates!
Bowling shoes are super hot! 😉 I am not the greatest at bowling so I always set the goal of breaking 100 for myself, too! Sometimes I get lucky and most of the time I do not! 😉
Those protein bars look amazing…and so unlike a “protein bar.” I love it.
I always seem to do horrible with bowling, especially without the bumpers. At least my friends get a kick out of watching me!
I can’t wait to try making those protein bars!
I am similar with bowling- I’m THRILLED if I break 100! =)
I suck at bowling too!!! I rarely break 100 too!! its always a happy moment when I do lol! I am so gonna try those protein bars. Looks sooooo yummy! and the crockpot recipe too!
Sounds like a fun way to change up dating! Those protein bars look good too 🙂 Have a great Sunday!
My senior year of college, I took a bowling class for fun with all my friends and I think I left it just as terrible as when I started it! Haha. Hey, at least you looked cute doing it. Love your colored jeans!
ahhaha that’s so fun and pretty random to go bowling! I’ve only ever went once – and I was horrrrific.
It’s the shoes that throw me off 😉
Gotta love a good crockpot meal 🙂
I never thought of putting brussels sprouts in the crock pot! Great idea.
Hey Julie! I came across a really neat blog yesterday that I thought you would like to look at it! The couple reminds me of you and Ryan! They produce videos about their lives and the videos are amazing! I figured you would love watching them!
http://www.somethingdevineblog.com
They have actually created a production company.
The production companies website is
http://www.haugencreative.com
It is just as enjoyable! They have a few weddings videos on there.
I hope you guys have a great day!
-MegS
I just love your blog! I live in Hobart, Indiana and have been following you for a month or so now. I find that our interests are similar, which is why I kept coming back! Thank you 🙂
I wish I was lying when I say I managed to bowl a 70 a couple months ago….ERRRR…Haha, I’m so jealous about the CUPCAKE flavored frozen yogurt! If only I could find places around here with that kind of pizzaz. I won’t give up! 🙂
That’s so weird, we were just thinking about going bowling, which we haven’t done in about 3 years! I think this is a sign that we should. Also, you bowled my pin # from when I pledged KD. 😉
That crockpot meals looks fantastic! Def going to give it a try.
These look yummy. Plus, chocolate makes everything better. Haha- I’m the same with you. I have good moments in bowling but am never consistent. I prefer the bumpers also- not that I hardly use them but when they go I swear all I get is gutter balls.
I love that you took it easy on the chocolate, lol!! Those look really yummy!
I have never thought to add Brussel sprouts to my roast before but that is a wonderful idea!!
Love crock pot dinners! Those bars look awesome and easy to take on the go!! Chocolate makes everything better;)
Egg nog and cupcake froyo – WHAT!?!??!? That sounds OFF THE HOOK!!!! Those bars look awesome! And paleo-friendly which is impossible to find in a protein bar! Thanks for sharing, gonna whip some up in just a few minutes!!!
I am definitely going to have to give those protein bars a chance ASAP. We went bowling a couple weeks ago with my parents and even though I am usually not a huge fan of bowling, I forgot what a good time it can be!
Sounds like a great midday date! I haven’t been bowling in forever, and I’m not very good either!
where in the usa is ocala?
never heard of it before.
There’s nothing like coming home to dinner already ready for you 🙂
Ah, I haven’t been bowling in years. In fact, I think the last time was a random midday date with the hubby. What a fun idea!
I am totally awful at bowling as well and can understand the excitement of breaking the 100 point mark! Those coconut bars look absolutely delicious…I think I’m going to make them next weekend!
Hey Julie, are you posting only once a day now?
Hi Julie!
This is kinda random but I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and absolutely love it! You always look so cute and fashionable. I was wondering if you had any fashion tips for dressing for your body type. As a fellow pear-shaped figure, do you have any advice? I feel like I always wear clothes that accentuate the undesirable body parts ha. Keep writing; you always bring a smile to my face! Thanks!
Those protein bars look amazing! Where exactly do you find coconut flour?
Ahh I was just thinking about what to do with the remaining days of my winter break—bowling would definitely be interesting if I can round up enough people!
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and love to bring up your workouts on my phone at the gym when I’m looking for a little variety. Thanks for all the tips and inspiration to live life fit!
Those bars look so good! I’m gonna have to make a batch this week since I already have all the ingredients.
I haven’t been bowling in forever! Looks like a fun, random afternoon. Gotta love free time on the weekends 🙂 And those protein bars look delicious!
I love crock pot meals!
My grandpa has scored the perfect 300 a few times, but I’m always jazzed if I can make it past 100.