Will Bike for Cinnamon Buns

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Megan and I were running buddies from the start – when I lived in Orlando, we used to run together two or three times a week, and we always did our long runs together.  It’s so nice to have her in Charlotte!  I was really looking forward to helping her complete a long run for her upcoming half marathon.

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Unfortunately, my ankle started to act up 2.75 miles into our run, so I called it quits.  I guess my body isn’t fully recovered from the marathon (which isn’t surprising considered it’s only been 6 days!).

 

So I opted to grab my bike and follow Megan on two wheels!

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And Nicole joined us as well for a few miles.

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Although I was sad that my ankle was bothering me and I couldn’t run, I have to say that biking alongside a runner is a completely different experience than running the distance yourself.  We covered 13 miles in a little over 2 hours, which was an awesome pace for Megan, and an incredibly relaxing pace for me! 🙂

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I basically just hung outside and chatted with my friend (while she sweated and suffered! Sorry, Megan!).

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I had a basic breakfast before we left…

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But we had a very special present waiting for us at the ‘finish line.’

 

Remember how I dreamt about cinnamon buns last week and ended up creating Lazy Girl’s Cinnamon Bread French Toast (which was great)?  Well, Megan and I decided to make the Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls 101 recipe this morning.  We kept having to stop off at the house to prep the dough. 🙂

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The result was AMAZINGGGGGGGGG.  Not the best cinnamon buns I’ve ever tasted (Grandma’s wins), but definitely the best I’ve made before.  I loved the coffee-flavored icing, too.  And thank to the PW’s simple, step-by-step recipe guide, I could actually figure out what I was suppose to do (baking with yeast scares me).   We did end up cooking them for twice as long as the PW recommends, though.

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I’m already on my second one.  I might just eat cinnamon buns for lunch, snack, and dinner today. 😉

 

Friendly reminder:  Pleaseeee VOTE for Operation Beautiful to win the Amway Positivity Project!  If I win, I’ll donate the ENTIRE $10,000 PRIZE to Girls on the Run International.  It’s just a little click; no registration required!  🙂

{ 70 comments }

 

  • grocery goddess jen November 5, 2010, 12:54 pm

    Let’s just say I’m glad it’s such a pain in the butt to make cinnamon rolls (time consuming, too), or I’d eat them way too often.

  • Katie @ Keepingupwithkatie November 5, 2010, 12:55 pm

    I think it would be nice to have a friend join me on a long run, even if she was on a bike!! Haha Good job not pushing yourself too much after your marathon!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking November 5, 2010, 12:57 pm

    wow they look awesome! I’ve been wanting to try that recipe for awhile now. Totally worth the work 🙂

  • Janene Giuseffi November 5, 2010, 12:58 pm

    ohmigosh, i’m drooling all over my laptop!

  • Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) November 5, 2010, 1:05 pm

    Oh my sweet goodness those look amazing. No one would blame you if you ate them for every meal of day. Remember to eat one for me, please!!

  • Amanda (Eating Up) November 5, 2010, 1:05 pm

    Ahh they look amazing! I love spending extra time preparing breakfast!

  • Tab - Just Weighing In November 5, 2010, 1:06 pm

    I don’t blame you – I would too!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday November 5, 2010, 1:06 pm

    Best cinnamon bun recipe is from Peter Reinhart. Hands down.

    It’s all in the dough, really.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write November 5, 2010, 1:09 pm

    I’ve never made cinnamon buns! Sounds good. I love the fall weather in your neck of the woods. Really beautiful. You must be loving it.

  • Jenn @ LiveWellFitNow November 5, 2010, 1:09 pm

    Cinna buns for breakfast, lunch, dinner + snacks? I’m on my way over!!!

  • Wei-Wei November 5, 2010, 1:10 pm

    Mmmmmm cinnamon rolls = <3!

  • Leanne @ Simplicitlee November 5, 2010, 1:10 pm

    I’m drooling on my keyboard now LOL!

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 5, 2010, 1:12 pm

    Looks like you guys are having a great time catching up and cooking up some lovely treats in the kitchen. 🙂

  • Amanda November 5, 2010, 1:13 pm

    I love cinnamon rolls!! Yum. Great job over-coming your yeast fear! 🙂 They look wonderful!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 5, 2010, 1:15 pm

    Some days ya just gotta give in and go for all day cinnamon rolls! They look so good!

  • Rachel @ EatMoreMeatLess November 5, 2010, 1:15 pm

    Looks amazing!! What a beautiful fall day to go to biking along side a friend 🙂

  • Krystina (Basil & Wine) November 5, 2010, 1:17 pm

    They look so gooey and delicious! Yum. 😀

  • Kelly November 5, 2010, 1:19 pm

    They look delicious! I want some!

  • Megan @ Healthy Hoggin November 5, 2010, 1:29 pm

    Oh, cinnamon rolls may be my FAVORITE. THING. EVER. Hands down. I make them twice a year– for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Anymore than that, and I’d have a real problem on my hands… since that’s all I can think about when they’re in my kitchen!! 😉

    I highly recommend trying Paula Deen’s cinnamon roll recipe. They are the BEST cinnamon rolls I have ever tasted!! (even beat my grandma’s!) That coffee icing sounds heavenly, though!

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun November 5, 2010, 1:30 pm

    I have never heard of a coffee glaze/icing for cinnamon rolls. That should be the standard it sounds so amazing. Hope you have a relaxing rest of the day. 🙂

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 5, 2010, 1:31 pm

    They look great – pretty sure I could eat them for all 3 meals as well. Sounds like you had a great run/ride, and well done to Megan for that pace! Nothing like a bike to chase you along! 😉

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie November 5, 2010, 1:34 pm

    I am a huge fan of cinnamon buns! I feel like I would be stressed out running beside a biker … although it might make me run faster, so it’s probably not a bad idea!

  • Charlie November 5, 2010, 1:35 pm

    Those cinnamon rolls look so good! I would definitely end up on the couch eating all day :P.

  • Tami November 5, 2010, 1:37 pm

    try this recipe
    http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2009/11/no-fail-quick-french-bread.html

    if you don’t have a stand mixer, it might not come out all that great but you can turn this bread into cinnamon rolls, garlic bread or just cinnamon bread-the first time i made it i could not believe how good it tasted

  • Jennifer@ knackfornutrition November 5, 2010, 1:41 pm

    Those cinnamon buns look so good. Anything with bread, butter, sugar, and cinnamon is usually a winner though.

    Also, I just voted! Good luck!

  • Oh Pretty Day November 5, 2010, 1:44 pm

    Those. Look. Awesome.

  • Dee November 5, 2010, 1:48 pm

    OHMYGOODNESSGRACIOUS! I want. *drool*

  • Beth @ Will Run for Books November 5, 2010, 1:55 pm

    um. nom. that is all.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg November 5, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Yum! You really can’t go wrong with the Pioneer Woman 🙂

  • Jenna November 5, 2010, 2:07 pm

    Those buns look amazing! What a way to start a Friday. I’d be picking at them all day long!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! November 5, 2010, 2:07 pm

    YUM!!! I want one! =)

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete November 5, 2010, 2:09 pm

    I’ve seen those cinnamon rolls on Pioneer Woman’s site and they looked so amazing!!! I am so jealous that you made some. I’d eat them all at once. Easily 🙂

  • jenna November 5, 2010, 2:11 pm

    heavenly!!!
    jenna

  • Ashley November 5, 2010, 2:16 pm

    I think my fiancee would love me forever if I made him homemade cinnamon buns! lol.

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous November 5, 2010, 2:18 pm

    Omgaaa, I came THISCLOSE to licking my computer screen!

  • eml November 5, 2010, 2:23 pm

    Mmm gooey buns 😉

    I VOTED!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life November 5, 2010, 2:27 pm

    Your buns look great! 😉

    Good idea taking the bike when your ankle started bothering you- way better than giving up!

  • Holly November 5, 2010, 2:31 pm

    Those buns look delicious!

  • Victoria November 5, 2010, 2:32 pm

    MMMmmmm, this looks (in method anyway) similar to the Mark Bittman receipe in “How to Cook Everything.” It was surprisingly simple! But I am always afraid I’m going to kill the yeast.

  • Lauri November 5, 2010, 2:33 pm

    The cinnamon buns look amazing. Did you make her entire recipe or did you 1/2 or 1/4 it? I want to try making them but I really don’t need 8 pans of cinnamon rolls sitting aorund tempting me…:)

    • Caitlin November 5, 2010, 2:35 pm

      whole thing – it made 35 buns or so.

      • Lauri November 5, 2010, 2:38 pm

        think the leftover buns can be frozen? I am far from Martha Stewart if you can’t tell 🙂

        • Caitlin November 5, 2010, 2:40 pm

          i’m sure they can!

        • sarah k. @ the pajama chef November 5, 2010, 3:49 pm

          yes i freeze leftover cinnamon rolls all the time. just make sure they are well-wrapped and that the container they are in does not leave a ton of air at the top [either use a flatter container or stack the cinnamon rolls/use foil to separate the layers. when freezing things, extra air=freezer burn.] some types of icing freeze well too.

  • lisasfoods November 5, 2010, 2:40 pm

    Those sound amazing. I’ve never made cinnamon buns before, and only eat homemade ones (no mall-purchased ones for me!), and would love to try them. But I think I’d rather just eat them than bake them.

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In November 5, 2010, 2:55 pm

    How fun!! I haven’t been able to train with my running buddy for this half, but I think we’re signing up for a full and will try to at least do our long runs together!

  • Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) November 5, 2010, 2:55 pm

    Yum I love treating myself after good workouts!

  • rebecca lustig November 5, 2010, 2:56 pm

    it’s funny, my whole family lovess cinnamon buns– but i was never a fan! i’d always go for something with chocolate. like waffles 🙂

    happy friday beautiful

  • Andrea November 5, 2010, 3:02 pm

    Yum, thanks for the idea! I’m definitely going to make some this weekend 🙂

    I just stopped by to say that I just say you on the Doctor’s! 🙂

  • Rachel November 5, 2010, 3:27 pm

    Sorry about your ankle! Glad you could switch to the bike instead and still exercise. You are a good friend!

  • Wendy November 5, 2010, 3:30 pm

    PW’s cinammon rolls are incredible! Since the recipe makes so many, I like to make them for friends and family as Christmas gifts.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 5, 2010, 3:31 pm

    LOOOOOOOOOOOVE cinnamon rolls – the best!

    Sorry your ankle is acting up! Take some time to relax!

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl November 5, 2010, 3:38 pm

    What a fun morning!! I usually don’t run for two weeks after a marathon. I have to make those cinnamon rolls!

  • Michelle November 5, 2010, 3:49 pm

    So funny, I made PW’s cinnamon buns with my running buddy last night! Didn’t run, though 😉

  • Amber K November 5, 2010, 4:27 pm

    Ugh, those look SOO good. My grandma’s food always tasted best too. 🙂

  • Heather November 5, 2010, 4:32 pm

    I think if my husband rode next to me on a bike while I ran I would push him off. haha!

  • B November 5, 2010, 5:22 pm

    I am drooling all over my keyboard. These cinnamons looks delish.
    Have a great weekend!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit November 5, 2010, 5:22 pm

    Oh those look so good! I’ve only made cinnamon rolls once but I’ve been wanting to make them again lately. THey’re really not that hard!

  • Camille November 5, 2010, 6:02 pm

    Those look soooo good! I’ve never made cinnamon rolls before, but now I want to 🙂

  • Heidi - apples under my bed November 5, 2010, 6:17 pm

    Amazing, they look so yummy! mmmmmm. Homemade is the best. I will try out Pioneer Woman’s recipe, thanks!
    Heidi xo

  • Drea November 5, 2010, 6:52 pm

    Hi blog world!
    I was just wanting to know if it is normal to experience body changes when running more. I have noticed that my legs have gotten bigger, not toned. My overall body composition has changed to less lean and bulked up instead. I don’t want it to be all about the body, because I know there’s more to life than having a nice toned appearance and that my body is taking me through quite an accomplishment. I was just wanting to see if this would change or if this is perminent with distance runners, because many who I know are very lean.

    Thanks and I am thinking of making some cinnamon rolls myself, maybe that’s why I am getting bigger 🙂 haha

    • Caitlin November 5, 2010, 8:08 pm

      My thighs are bigger than they were before – I can’t fit into my old jeans! But they are muscley so I love that. 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 5, 2010, 7:05 pm

    I’ve been seeing cinnamon buns over and over again in the blogosphere. It’s definitely time I join in on the fun. These look awesome!

  • beth November 5, 2010, 7:08 pm

    Maybe you can help. My work reimburses me for “healthy living” and I have 500$ left in my account and can use it to purchase a new bike. I’m 5’1, need a road bike, something that I may want to race with (yet I have never done that before). Can you make a suggestion of where to look? I’ve gone to CL, but I am so lost in terms of sizing….

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 5, 2010, 7:12 pm

    Sorry about the ankle! 🙁 Hopefully a few more days of taking it easy will help.

    Mmm those look SO good. It has been far too long since I’ve had a cinnamon bun!

  • Maddie (Healthy Maddie) November 5, 2010, 7:20 pm

    Yum! I love cinnamon rolls but have never made them myself. Maybe I should try this weekend 🙂 Sorry about your ankle! My ankle was injured for a majority of my cross country season so I know how it feels.

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun November 6, 2010, 9:39 am

    MMMMMMM! I love cinnamon rolls – barely ever have them – but love them nonetheless!

  • Kiran November 6, 2010, 10:40 pm

    I need to try baking PW’s cinnamon buns. I looks delish 😀

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