Five more miles today (brrrr... it's cold outside!) A couple of songs that helped me keep going ...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Ch ch ch ... chia! Lemon Chia Bread!
Quick training update: My son and I ran on Sunday ... he did over three miles with me then headed home while I did another two. It was so much fun to run with him, and to see the progress he's made over the last year. He is training for a 7-miler this summer and I look forward to doing some smaller races with him along the way.
It's back to hills on the elliptical for me today. I'd planned to get them over first thing this morning ... what is it about Monday's that make me such a dawdler? Picked up a few groceries. Started a couple loads of laundry. Took the dog for a long walk. Looked at Pinterest. Made lemon chia bread (yes, chia as in chia pet!) ... and lo' and behold the morning is over!
This is the first time I've ever made Lemon Chia bread (or baked anything with chia in it) and I think it's going to be a hit. I have been intrigued by chia seeds since I read the book Born To Run. The author describes a thick gelatinous drink (iskiate) made with chia seeds and water used by the reclusive Tarahumara Indians throughout history. The Tarahumara are superathletes ~ able to race through amazingly long runs over mountaineous terrain for hours, even days, powered by pinole and iskiate. Sounds interesting, right? Lately chia seeds seem to be all the rage, right along with flax and quinoa.
The original recipe for this loaf was on the back of the "Bob's Red Mill" Chia Seeds package. I love to tweak recipes a little and try different variations. I replaced rice milk with almond milk and unbleached white flour with whole wheat pastry flour. Instead of 1/2 cup of margarine I used half coconut oil and half butter. Finally, instead of using 1/2 cup of sugar I used 1/4 c raw honey and 1/4 cup splenda.
I know you are supposed to be wait for quick breads to completely cool but I couldn't resist cutting off the tiniest slice to test ... Yumm! Next time I will definitely add a couple of teaspoons of lemon zest to the mix as I love a super lemony flavor.
1/4 c lemon juice (plus 1-2 tsp. lemon zest if you like extra lemony flavor!)
It's back to hills on the elliptical for me today. I'd planned to get them over first thing this morning ... what is it about Monday's that make me such a dawdler? Picked up a few groceries. Started a couple loads of laundry. Took the dog for a long walk. Looked at Pinterest. Made lemon chia bread (yes, chia as in chia pet!) ... and lo' and behold the morning is over!
This is the first time I've ever made Lemon Chia bread (or baked anything with chia in it) and I think it's going to be a hit. I have been intrigued by chia seeds since I read the book Born To Run. The author describes a thick gelatinous drink (iskiate) made with chia seeds and water used by the reclusive Tarahumara Indians throughout history. The Tarahumara are superathletes ~ able to race through amazingly long runs over mountaineous terrain for hours, even days, powered by pinole and iskiate. Sounds interesting, right? Lately chia seeds seem to be all the rage, right along with flax and quinoa.
The original recipe for this loaf was on the back of the "Bob's Red Mill" Chia Seeds package. I love to tweak recipes a little and try different variations. I replaced rice milk with almond milk and unbleached white flour with whole wheat pastry flour. Instead of 1/2 cup of margarine I used half coconut oil and half butter. Finally, instead of using 1/2 cup of sugar I used 1/4 c raw honey and 1/4 cup splenda.
I know you are supposed to be wait for quick breads to completely cool but I couldn't resist cutting off the tiniest slice to test ... Yumm! Next time I will definitely add a couple of teaspoons of lemon zest to the mix as I love a super lemony flavor.
Here's the recipe:
2 tbs. chia seeds
1/4 c lemon juice (plus 1-2 tsp. lemon zest if you like extra lemony flavor!)
1/2 c almond milk (I used unsweetened vanilla because it was what I had available ~ any milk would work)
1/4 c coconut oil
1/4 c butter (I just think you need a little bit of real butter when baking!)
1 1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Glaze: 1 tbs. lemon juice mixed with 1 tbs. splenda
Combine the chia seeds, lemon juice (+zest) and almond milk. Let stand for 15 minutes. Cream together the coconut oil, butter, honey and splenda. Add the chia mixture and blend well. Add the dry ingredients and blend until just combined. Spoon into 2 greased mini loaf pans (or 1 8-inch loaf pan.) Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes (40-45 minutes if using one large pan.) Take out of the oven and pour prepared glaze over loaves. Let rest in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. Wrap with plastic wrap to keep moist.
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| Similar to Lemon Poppyseed bread ... very delicious! |
Friday, January 27, 2012
** Happy Friday! **
It's FRIDAY!
Sun's a' shining!
Ran 4 miles in the great outdoors.
Had my favorite pizza and soda (first time in 6 days!!!) with my sweet friend.
No homework (for the kids ... and me!)
It's FRIDAY!
Sun's a' shining!
Ran 4 miles in the great outdoors.
Had my favorite pizza and soda (first time in 6 days!!!) with my sweet friend.
No homework (for the kids ... and me!)
It's FRIDAY!
CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES!!!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Finish STRONG
The past two days I have been doing hill workouts on my elliptical. I am not running as many miles as I would like ... yet. But I'm trying to be smart, work back into my mileage slowly, and use the elliptical to help build my leg muscles. Other days this week, I was disappointed when my short workout was over ... that has not been the case the last couple of days. I have worked my BUTT OFF! (And speaking of butt, WTH is that jiggly motion going on behind me when I am really going fast. Ick. I needed to get my butt off the couch ... so glad I am on my way!) This is my 5th straight day of cardio training (which used to be no big deal, but I have been soooo lazy the past couple of months!) Honestly I am starting to wear out. My legs felt like jello today about halfway through my hill program. You know how that is, when you look at the clock and gasp "WHAT? I can't possibly still have that much time to go!?!"
That's when you just have to dig deep
Think about about what your goal is
Get an image in your mind and then
crank the heck out of it!
I bargain with myself a lot ... "Just keep up this pace for 1 more minute ... ok, you did it ... now go for one more minute ..." I just kept bargaining my way through the last half of the workout! Near the end, I really gave it everything I had left. I didn't think I had it in me to finish, let alone finish strong. But I think my determination stepped up and I finally got my second wind. When I run and get close to home, I try to sprint as hard as I can from the end of the street to my house. When I race, I always try to run as hard as I can past the finish. Today, on the elliptical, I pedaled as hard as my cramping feet would allow ... because I know what an awesome rush I feel from finishing strong. I read somewhere once that it's important to do this to your body to teach it to move into overdrive when you feel exhausted. What an excellent physical and mental exercise!
That's when you just have to dig deep
Think about about what your goal is
Get an image in your mind and then
crank the heck out of it!
I bargain with myself a lot ... "Just keep up this pace for 1 more minute ... ok, you did it ... now go for one more minute ..." I just kept bargaining my way through the last half of the workout! Near the end, I really gave it everything I had left. I didn't think I had it in me to finish, let alone finish strong. But I think my determination stepped up and I finally got my second wind. When I run and get close to home, I try to sprint as hard as I can from the end of the street to my house. When I race, I always try to run as hard as I can past the finish. Today, on the elliptical, I pedaled as hard as my cramping feet would allow ... because I know what an awesome rush I feel from finishing strong. I read somewhere once that it's important to do this to your body to teach it to move into overdrive when you feel exhausted. What an excellent physical and mental exercise!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
10 Reasons Running Doesn’t Suck As Much As You Think
Love this article from Hellogiggles.com.
Read it ... then RUN!
10 Reasons Running Doesn’t Suck As Much As You Think
Oh and this photo put a smile on my face as well!
Read it ... then RUN!
10 Reasons Running Doesn’t Suck As Much As You Think
Oh and this photo put a smile on my face as well!
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| "Vintage" running! |
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Turn it up Tuesday
Day 3 ... I haven't quit yet! :) Roughly 30 minutes and 3 miles in the crispy-cold morning air. Glad I got it over with early! My pace has suffered dramatically in the past few months. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in my abilities right now. Oh well. I'm looking forward to more speed and endurance ... I've been there before, I can do it again, right??
A great playlist makes all the difference (in my opinion!) Now there are times when I run without music at all and it's a whole different sensory experience. But I have to admit, good songs keep me going better than anything! So, here are a couple of my current faves ...
A great playlist makes all the difference (in my opinion!) Now there are times when I run without music at all and it's a whole different sensory experience. But I have to admit, good songs keep me going better than anything! So, here are a couple of my current faves ...
Monday, January 23, 2012
DAY TWO ... I didn't quit yet! ;)
Holy Hannah what a day! I'm sure my days are no different than any other busy mothers out there. I swear I need 36 hours in a day, at least! My Monday went something like this...
5:30 am ~ Take puppy out.
6:00 am ~ Alarm goes off, *just in case* I'm super-motivated to get up and go run circles around the block in the dark and cold ... SNOOZE.
7:00 am ~ Really need to get up and get showered, etc. for the day ... SNOOZE.
7:30 am ~ OK, it's now too late for me to get cleaned up before the kids have to be to school, that's ok though, because I still need to workout.
7:31 am ~ Take puppy out.
8:00 am ~ Breakfast, snacks prepared, water bottles filled, folders signed, backpacks ready, snow boots on/regular shoes packed (because of course it decides to start snowing right before we leave.)
8:45 am ~ Walk the dog and kiddos to the corner and see them off to school.
9:00 am ~ Gobble down a protein bar, half a banana and some green tea -- it's my go-to breakfast and I know it needs some work.
9:05 am ~ Drive the youngest munchkin to school.
9:15 am ~ It's shopping Monday, so despite really needing to workout this morning, I plan on heading to Costco and the grocery store QUICKLY, so I can be home by 11 and maybe squeak out a 45 minute run.
10:00 am ~ Enter Costco, remind myself today *speed is the name of the game*
11:15 am ~ Leave Costco. Speed shopping FAIL.
11:30 am ~ Second stop to buy remaining grocery items ... gosh I wish Costco carried just a few items in smaller sizes so I could do all my shopping in one spot! Waste another hour meandering through the Valentine aisle, picking out almond milk, and deciding on the best puppy toys for my lil' chewer!
12:29 pm ~ Try to avoid chit-chat with the Walmart cashier and get her to hurry-the-heck-up since I need to pick up my kindergartener in ONE MINUTE!
12:37 pm ~ Luckily, my son's class is always late. Swoop him up and head for home. So much for getting my workout in during the first half of my day.
1:00 pm ~ Take puppy out.
1:01 pm ~ Start unloading the huge haul of groceries.
1:02 pm ~ Realize my fridge has not been cleaned out since summer of 2011, start pulling out unidentifiable objects.
1:10 pm ~ Realize a deep clean is simply unavoidable.
1:11 pm ~ Make myself some lunch first cause I'm STARVING. My tuna salad over lettuce is way too healthy and the huge plastic container of RED VINES is calling my name, but I resist.
2:00 pm ~ Scold puppy and kitty for playing too rough in the house ... send them to their respective quarters for time out.
2:05 pm ~ Really wish I could devour a few double chocolate chip cookies, but abstain!
3:00 pm ~ All shelves of my fridge are now wiped clean. All drawers have been removed and thoroughly washed. All rancid and decaying objects as well as empty bottles & containers are removed. All new groceries are put away, with room to spare! Hooray! A small victory today as I managed to check off one of my organization to-do's!
3:20 pm ~ Take dog and youngest son out for exercise, walk down to school and pick up older kids. (I wish I could count this as my workout for the day!)
4:00 pm ~ High fives and hugs to my oldest who scored a perfect 100% on his Idaho History test! Mad dash to help a kindergartener, 2nd grader and 4th grader practice spelling, work through math, practice reading/writing ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Again, sugar is calling my name! I have a ham and cheese rollup and drink a fruity energy drink instead.
4:30 pm ~ Take puppy out.
5:00 pm ~ Homework finally done, workout clothes on ... STRICT orders to the children to BEHAVE, GET ALONG, and DON'T BOTHER ME WHILE I'M WORKING OUT UNLESS SOMEONE IS BLEEDING!
5:15 pm ~ Take puppy out.
5:20 pm ~ Headphones on, music cranked, let's do this!!!
5:50 pm ~ My hill program on the ellip is done ... I'm so bummed! Wish I had more time. Cranked up the resistance at the end to get the most out of my measily 30 minutes. I'm gonna learn to love hills!
6:00 pm ~ Take puppy out.
6:05 pm ~ Nag hubby about when he's coming home.
6:06 pm ~ Start dinner: Costco chicken (yay! love easy nights), garlic & goat cheese cauliflower, and salad (mind you, I still haven't had time to shower, ughhhh)
6:32 pm ~ Scold children, puppy and kitty because everyone is being loud and obnoxious, I'm hungry and I stink ... bad
6:33 pm ~ Text hubby to make sure he is for sure on the way...
6:45 pm ~ Convince my dear daughter to take the puppy out.
7:15 pm ~ Dinner. Finally!
7:30 pm ~ Savor a square of my new favorite chocolate bar ... mmm. Sanity.
7:45 pm ~ Puppy training (seriously, we are trying so hard!)
8:00 pm ~ Hark the Herald Angels Sing ... it's BEDTIME!
8:05 pm ~ Hubby takes the puppy out.
8:10 pm ~ I finally get a shower. Puppy pees on bathroom mat while I'm in the shower. Shower an extra 10 minutes just to enjoy the peace and quiet.
8:30 pm ~ Clean up puppy pee, put laundry away, brush teeth (to avoid sneaking any additional chocolate.)
9:00 pm ~ Take puppy out ... then into her crate for the night. {{{sigh}}}
9:05 pm ~ Blog a bit, think about when, where and how I'm going to run tomorrow and eventually lights out!
5:30 am ~ Take puppy out.
6:00 am ~ Alarm goes off, *just in case* I'm super-motivated to get up and go run circles around the block in the dark and cold ... SNOOZE.
7:00 am ~ Really need to get up and get showered, etc. for the day ... SNOOZE.
7:30 am ~ OK, it's now too late for me to get cleaned up before the kids have to be to school, that's ok though, because I still need to workout.
7:31 am ~ Take puppy out.
8:00 am ~ Breakfast, snacks prepared, water bottles filled, folders signed, backpacks ready, snow boots on/regular shoes packed (because of course it decides to start snowing right before we leave.)
8:45 am ~ Walk the dog and kiddos to the corner and see them off to school.
9:00 am ~ Gobble down a protein bar, half a banana and some green tea -- it's my go-to breakfast and I know it needs some work.
9:05 am ~ Drive the youngest munchkin to school.
9:15 am ~ It's shopping Monday, so despite really needing to workout this morning, I plan on heading to Costco and the grocery store QUICKLY, so I can be home by 11 and maybe squeak out a 45 minute run.
10:00 am ~ Enter Costco, remind myself today *speed is the name of the game*
... Oh look there are vacuums on sale
Gosh, I love to look at the new book arrivals
Are there any new "healthy cookbooks" I can purchase with full
intent to cook everything and never make one recipe??
I could use a new jacket (did you know Costco has really nice
women's Marmot jackets right now for $90)
Hmm, hubby could use some new jeans
Swimsuits?? Already?? Well, might as well get a cute one
for my daughter while there's still some to choose from
Cheese aisle ... oh how I love cheese.
So much creamy, yummy goodness calling to me.
I could linger here for days
And so on and so forth ....
11:30 am ~ Second stop to buy remaining grocery items ... gosh I wish Costco carried just a few items in smaller sizes so I could do all my shopping in one spot! Waste another hour meandering through the Valentine aisle, picking out almond milk, and deciding on the best puppy toys for my lil' chewer!
12:29 pm ~ Try to avoid chit-chat with the Walmart cashier and get her to hurry-the-heck-up since I need to pick up my kindergartener in ONE MINUTE!
12:37 pm ~ Luckily, my son's class is always late. Swoop him up and head for home. So much for getting my workout in during the first half of my day.
1:00 pm ~ Take puppy out.
1:01 pm ~ Start unloading the huge haul of groceries.
1:02 pm ~ Realize my fridge has not been cleaned out since summer of 2011, start pulling out unidentifiable objects.
1:10 pm ~ Realize a deep clean is simply unavoidable.
1:11 pm ~ Make myself some lunch first cause I'm STARVING. My tuna salad over lettuce is way too healthy and the huge plastic container of RED VINES is calling my name, but I resist.
 |
| This is Zoe's new doggy crate, but Penny the cat has taken over the back half. Works well for now when they need to be reminded how to play nicely. |
2:05 pm ~ Really wish I could devour a few double chocolate chip cookies, but abstain!
3:00 pm ~ All shelves of my fridge are now wiped clean. All drawers have been removed and thoroughly washed. All rancid and decaying objects as well as empty bottles & containers are removed. All new groceries are put away, with room to spare! Hooray! A small victory today as I managed to check off one of my organization to-do's!
3:20 pm ~ Take dog and youngest son out for exercise, walk down to school and pick up older kids. (I wish I could count this as my workout for the day!)
4:00 pm ~ High fives and hugs to my oldest who scored a perfect 100% on his Idaho History test! Mad dash to help a kindergartener, 2nd grader and 4th grader practice spelling, work through math, practice reading/writing ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Again, sugar is calling my name! I have a ham and cheese rollup and drink a fruity energy drink instead.
4:30 pm ~ Take puppy out.
5:00 pm ~ Homework finally done, workout clothes on ... STRICT orders to the children to BEHAVE, GET ALONG, and DON'T BOTHER ME WHILE I'M WORKING OUT UNLESS SOMEONE IS BLEEDING!
5:15 pm ~ Take puppy out.
5:20 pm ~ Headphones on, music cranked, let's do this!!!
5:50 pm ~ My hill program on the ellip is done ... I'm so bummed! Wish I had more time. Cranked up the resistance at the end to get the most out of my measily 30 minutes. I'm gonna learn to love hills!
6:00 pm ~ Take puppy out.
6:05 pm ~ Nag hubby about when he's coming home.
6:06 pm ~ Start dinner: Costco chicken (yay! love easy nights), garlic & goat cheese cauliflower, and salad (mind you, I still haven't had time to shower, ughhhh)
 |
| I didn't puree, just mashed. So good, but only used 1 head of cauliflower ... would use 2 or 3 next time. Big family hit! |
6:30 pm ~ Nag hubby about when he's coming home ... Again.
6:31 pm ~ Take puppy out.6:32 pm ~ Scold children, puppy and kitty because everyone is being loud and obnoxious, I'm hungry and I stink ... bad
6:33 pm ~ Text hubby to make sure he is for sure on the way...
6:45 pm ~ Convince my dear daughter to take the puppy out.
7:15 pm ~ Dinner. Finally!
7:30 pm ~ Savor a square of my new favorite chocolate bar ... mmm. Sanity.
 |
| SO. GOOD. |
8:00 pm ~ Hark the Herald Angels Sing ... it's BEDTIME!
8:05 pm ~ Hubby takes the puppy out.
8:10 pm ~ I finally get a shower. Puppy pees on bathroom mat while I'm in the shower. Shower an extra 10 minutes just to enjoy the peace and quiet.
8:30 pm ~ Clean up puppy pee, put laundry away, brush teeth (to avoid sneaking any additional chocolate.)
9:00 pm ~ Take puppy out ... then into her crate for the night. {{{sigh}}}
9:05 pm ~ Blog a bit, think about when, where and how I'm going to run tomorrow and eventually lights out!
Looking forward to tomorrow, Day 3 ... a run outside (schedule, weather and puppy permitting!)
 |
| from Etsy |
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Back in the saddle
Today I started officially training for my 3rd Race To Robie Creek. I have three months to get back into decent running shape after a rather lengthy dessert-filled hiatus. I'm excited and I'm motivated (finally!) Basically, I need to (1) consistently eat better and (2) follow a regular workout plan. Sounds rather simple, but lately I seem to be a whole lotta talk and ZERO action.
So ... Day 1! Got my rear in gear: 67 minutes on my home elliptical on the hardest hill circuit program possible. I'm not so good at "easing into things." Surprisingly it felt pretty great, my legs weren't even too "jello-y." I'm sure I have massive sugar reserves to burn! :)
Looking forward to Day 2 ...
So ... Day 1! Got my rear in gear: 67 minutes on my home elliptical on the hardest hill circuit program possible. I'm not so good at "easing into things." Surprisingly it felt pretty great, my legs weren't even too "jello-y." I'm sure I have massive sugar reserves to burn! :)
Looking forward to Day 2 ...
My New Running Partner (well ... someday!)
Meet the newest addition to our family ... Zoe! She is a little ball of energy who loves her new family (especially her cat-sister Penny.) We are trying hard to train the little darling so she's not a flight risk like our last dog Jack (bless his sweet little heart, he just loved to bolt!) Zoe's mom is a black-and-tan coonhound and her dad is a Chesapeake Retriever ... we are hoping she keeps her sleek brown chocolate coat, and of course we are all smitten with her big ol' ears!
Miss Zoe loves to walk with me and I've been taking her on short sprints but she wears out pretty fast. It is best for dogs to not do any significant distance running until they are 18-24 months old so their bones can grow properly. So, it will be some time till Zoe and I are able to do any real running togther, but I look forward to family hikes and river trips with her this summer. A new kitten and puppy in less than a year ... we are becoming a regular Wild Kingdom over here!
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