Chocolate Chip Mocha Muffins

I'm back! It has been a multiple month hiatus. I just really am so bogged down with about 50,000 other things right now, I just don't even have time to bake or cook anything besides cakes for KBTM. And let's be honest, no one wants only cupcake recipes every single week. At least this time it's a breakfast item even though it still has chocolate since I am an addict. If you'll remember I have had multiple instances where I have thought I had a new mole or freckle, then I realize it's just a piece of chocolate that has melted on to me. Yea... so it's quite apparent I have issues.

So, I'm pretty excited because many of you know already I am doing the Team Challenge Half Marathon for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Tomorrow is an 8 mile run! I ran 8 miles two weeks ago but I'm excited to go at it again. It's only gonna get harder and each week will be my personal farthest distance so that's even more exciting. One little minor issue though, this morning when I opened the door to my office I rammed the door into my big toe. After discussing the pain with the first friend available on chat, we've decided it could possibly be broken. If it isn't I'm in severe pain, I don't even want to explain what it looks like. Let's hope for running's sake that this pain subsides soon so I can actually run my 8 miles tomorrow!

Anyway, back to the muffins. It always makes me think of 'If you give a moose a muffin'. I used to love that book, and I'm getting off topic again. Here's the recipe.

Chocolate Chip Mocha Muffins
Yield ~16-18 muffins

2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips. In another bowl, mix the eggs, milk, oil, and sugars together. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and mix until combined. Fill up muffin tins about 3/4 of the way and bake for about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

At a Loss for Words

Right now it's really hard for me to figure out what to say. This morning I keep tearing up thinking about everything yesterday with Boston. I tried to listen to the news on my way into work but then the tears started flowing and that just got messy. Yesterday, I saw someone post something about their prayers with those in Boston. I thought to myself, Oh Lord, what happened now, having no idea what it was. I quickly googled Boston and news and found out there'd been a bombing at the marathon. I really didn't know what was going on so I waited til I got home to put the news on. I was not prepared for what unfolded.

The first bits of news were unsettling but I hadn't seen any of the pictures yet. I knew I had to go for a run that day so I got ready and went out the door. I was planning on a 4 mile run which is an 'easy' run for me. I barely made 3.5 miles and was in serious pain. My ankles hurt, my shins hurt, I don't even know why. I couldn't even finish running I was hurting so much and I was so upset and didn't understand why. I think maybe my body was starting to react to this news.

Later that evening I went to dinner and came home to the pictures. That's when it really hit me. I didn't even want to look at them it was so unsettling. Some of these people injured were just there to cheer on others, purely being good people. I started thinking about my half marathon coming up and all the people who are running to raise money for a million different charitable causes. I started thinking about what it would be like to be there or if this happened at my half marathon. I kept thinking about all these innocent people and I can't even take it.

These horrible events are always upsetting but this time I am beside myself. I really can't concentrate on much right now, namely work. I never thought this would affect me so much. Maybe I'm numb to all this stuff lately or something but I don't know. My anxiety is through the roof currently so I thought about trying to write some of it out. So far, it's not really helping.

What is helping though, is all the good people. We all know who they are; those running to the hospitals from the marathon to give blood, those running to the finish line immediately to help. We have seen the Mr. Roger's quote. All of this is the good. Another piece of the good is my Team Challenge group. Right now, during these times, I am thinking of everyone in Boston but I am also thinking of my Team Challenge family. I am so thankful for them right now and the sense of friendship and family they have given me in just a couple short months. We are all doing something amazing together that many of us never thought we could do and helping those with Crohn's and Colitis while doing it. I can't wait to see them all this Saturday and if they didn't know how special they all are, I hope they do now.