Marathon Monday (on a Wednesday) & Simple smoothie

Sorry about the delay in posts this week...After a few requests for one, I have a new option button at the bottom of each blog post where you can print the post out.  The button will open up a new window (or tab) and have a print friendly version of that page you can print or save to your computer as a pdf file!!!  Thanks a bunch for your readership!!!!
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Here is an update on the half marathon training.  A few weeks ago I started experiencing knee pain on the inside of my right leg.  So I rested and took Advil.  I tried to run a week later and at the 3 mile mark it started again.  Took a few more days off and decided to have my husband watch me run on the treadmill.  He saw right away I was running with my knees hitting each other.

So off to a sports medicine doctor to make sure nothing was torn, ripped, broken and got the 'all clear'. I had my running gait analyzed by a physical therapist.

HOW EYE OPENING!  I would highly recommend you have this done if you want to begin training for running or are having issues with pain.  We discovered that my right leg was turning inward and then flipping around.  The physical therapist was at first baffled why it was just my right leg, but I knew exactly why.  I have been running 12-15 miles a week on a bike lane that has a step drainage drop-off, so my right leg is always "uphill" compared to my left.  In essence I had trained my right leg to compensate for the slope and work harder to get my foot over the slope so my knee was having strain being forced inward with every step.

I now have new insoles for slight overpronation and I am going with the flow of traffic (which I loathe and I am terrified of being hit) but I was able to run 6.7 miles yesterday pretty pain free which felt awesome.

So back onto training as usual this week and I hope that my long run this week will get back to 8 miles and resume increasing the distance by 10% each week following.

I wasn't happy about spending 2 days in a sports med office and paying 2 co-pays but it is looking like it may have been well worth it since I have found a new love in running.

Still looking for the ideal method of staying hydrated, the waist pack was a no go.  I am leaning towards a small hydro-back pack but am waiting since I was told they are going to go on sale soon.


Being a newbie to running I appreciate any tips, tricks, advice and hope that I can inspire at least one other to get out there and run!


After run snack recipe:

I use a bullet blender (no I do not typically buy into infomercials but we have been suckered into buying a 'Bullet Blender' and a set of knives but honestly they have been both well worth every dime and then some and so far the blender is 5 years old, the knives 8 almost 9...makes me wonder if more infomercial stuff is worth it...nah)

I digress....

• 1 single serve yogurt (any kind/brand will work-dairy, soy, greek, flavored, fat free, etc...)
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup fresh fruit (can be just one or mixed fruits-fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup V-8 fruit juice

1. Place all ingredients in the bullet cup, blender, or food processor
2. Mix.
3. Pour into a glass
4. Add a big straw, preferably one that is big and brightly colored- it is way more fun

It is one of my daughter's favorite snacks and my favorite post run cool down snack.

Product of the Week

I cannot say enough good about Nature's Path foods. Especially their cereal line, which my family devours like ravenous wolves. But today I focus on the favorite of my two kids (my daughter and husband HE HE HE).

PANDA PUFFS. What can I say about their puffy, peanut buttery deliciousness?  Well they are good. And for those of you who have tried the now retired Peanut Butter Capt'n Crunch, you will find this is very similar. The HUGE difference is NO chemicals, NO preservatives, it's organic, made without processed sugar or other ingredients, and STILL has an amazing, fantastic, superb taste.

A 3/4 cup serving has 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, and 7 grams of sugar-so not so bad for breakfast eh? 

My daughter likes them plain, with milk, with fruit, as midday snacks etc....I have even thought about making a 'rice krispy' like treat with them only to find Nature's Path beat me to it and I don't have to make them if I don't want...I can just buy them pre-packaged.

I find them at our local Kroger, Giant, Target, and Whole Foods.  You can also buy them directly from their website as well.  Keep and eye out and try them, you might just find your new addiction :o)

Jalapeno Cheese Bread

Not too spicy but oh so savory and wonderful Jalapeño Cheese Bread

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup shredded or finely cubed cheese (I used 2% reduced fat cheddar)
• 1/4 cup minced jalapenos (I wish I would have used more)
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup hot water (110 - 115*)
• 1 package active dry yeast (.25 ounce)
• 1 tbsp oil (for some reason my oil came with an upside down label?)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine hot water. sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and let it set for 10 mins, stir to dissolve yeast.
2. While yeast is setting add all dry ingredients into stand mixer with dough hook and turn on stir.
3. Slowly add in wet ingredients and add yeast when finished setting. 
4. Allow mixer to knead dough for around 10-15 mins until well mixed and elastic. My dough happened to look like this...

5. Remove from mixer and form into ball on a greased/sprayed baking sheet and cover.

6. Allow dough to rise until doubled in size, around 45 mins...at the point of the above picture the dough was about 1/4 risen. Punch down a bit and allow to rise again (THIS IS IMPORTANT so your bread isn't too dense)  Preheat oven to 325*

7.  Bake for about 1 hour, rotating your pan to ensure even browning.

Allow to cool for about 20 mins, SLICE AND SERVE!!

• This is great sliced, buttered, and retoasted. 
• Even though it is cheesy add cheese on top of slice and broil perhaps with a few sliced fresh jalapenos
• We normally eat this with chicken or pepper beef.

Organic Produce to Buy or Not? - RECIPE for Veggie/ Fruit Wash

Want a little E Coli with your Apples? Perhaps some botulism with your Blueberries?  Could you be buying more than you want with your grocery purchases?

There is science behind what you may want to consider spending a bit more for and buying organic. Beside the listed items is the number of residues, in parentheses, detected on or in the products.

'Dirty' List

• Meat
• Milk
• Coffee
• Celery (64)
• Peaches (62)
• Strawberries (59)
• Apple (42)
• Blueberries (52)
• Nectarines (33)
• Bell Peppers (49)
• Spinach, Kale, Other leafy greens (48)
• Cherries (42)
• Potatoes (37)
• Grapes (34)
• Carrots (26)
• Pears (28)
• Tomatoes

'Safe' Foods

• Onions
• Avocado
• Corn
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Broccoli
• Tomato
• Sweet Potato

Before you think, eh, I'll just peel them, remember that the peels contain most of the nutrients and fiber in fruits.  Also, you can't wash your meat or dairy.  As usual pork has been on the dirtiest meat list topping it nearly every time.

My suggestions to avoid organic...wash, wash, wash your produce. You don't have to buy the $5 bottle of wash they place all over the produce section to have clean fruit. Below I have a recipe for veggie & Fruit Wash .

When it comes to meats, look for discounted organic products nearing their sale by date for great savings, usually even lower than non-organic meats.  You can always take them home and freeze them.  If organic just isn't an option, try to find meats labeled hormone free or grass fed. They may not be organic but they are the next best thing.  Most contaminates in meats is located in the fat. Grass fed meats typically are not as fatty.

Here is a wash that is great, and cheap to use....

• White Vinegar
• Water

Phew...that was hard to recall the ingredients...now how you make it is even trickier

1. Mix equal parts
2. Wash produce.

For Hard Skinned Fruits/Veggies you can place the mix in a spray bottle , spray then rub the produce clean, the vinegar is awesome about killing bacteria on the skins and penetrating the waxy coating.

For soft skinned Fruits/Veggies you can mix in a bow and allow them to soak for a few minutes, rinse then dry.

Happy Father's Day Weekend & Friendly Friday

I love the man I married....I love how great of a father he is!!! He just takes such great care of us!!!!







Friendly Friday!!!

Frugal Father's Day (a few tips & looking for ideas!)

I have been scouring Groupon, LivingSocial, etc... trying to find ideas for Father's Day.  This has been a tough year full of challenges for us and I wanted to remind my sweet husband how much he means to me and our little one. (I also wanted to do this without breaking the bank...after all I would buy him the world if I could-even if it woulf be with his money HA HA)

Here are some of the ideas I have thought of and I will pick a few and go with it on Sunday.

1. A good bottle of wine; one I know he likes.
2. A bottle of recommended wine since he is still trying to figure out wines.
3. A father's day picnic with his favorite two people.
4. Mini-golf at a nearby place.
5. Coupon booklet (i.e. one meal of his choice, guys night, girls take the trash down, one get-out-of-mowing, etc...)
6. A date night, harder to produce since we still haven't met anyone so no sitters but I thought about perhaps trying out CARE and finding a local sitter that way.
7. One guys mountain biking trip
8. Perhaps if I don't do any of the above...a ticket for a football game for his fave team!

I am wondering what ideas you have?  Maybe you can help me find the idea of the century

GIVEAWAY WINNER

   

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Gift Card Giveaway...Today is the last day!

Friday giveaway....It is your last chance to enter-------

GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

WAY TOO HOT! Summer Traditions

It is water hole season!!!  Find your nearest river, pond, or lake and cool down!!!  I can think of anything more 'iconic-summer' than finding a swimming place all your own and soaking it in!

We are fortunate to have a lake nearby and we were loving the relief from the heat.

Spending a day at the lake with my two favorite people got me wondering, what do you do to cool down, what traditions or memories do you have that just seem to make your summer?


Here are some of our other summer traditions:

GRILLING OUT- since we sold our grill we have to do all our grilling indoors, not exactly clean, pleasant smelling, and it just seems to overheat the house. So.....looks like indoor grilling will be reserved for cooler, open window days!

SMORES- delicious yumminess and especially with homemade marshmallows! (no not healthy and I have NO way as of yet to make these healthy)

WATERMELON - so refreshing and just fantastic, I love mine quick, flash grilled with just a sprinkle of salt.  L likes her cut into bite sized cubes, she is fine with making messes, but for some reason makes an exception when it comes to this watery fruit

BEACH - I have always been to the beach at least once a year. It is like I just can't not go....it is a must

FAMILY TRIP- we haven't always been able to go, but we try to go somewhere just the three of us and have a blast...I have loved our trips, so memorable and fun

FRO-YO - well this is typically eaten all year rain, sleet, hail, or snow and even in tornado weather (just once we didn't know).  I have a serious obsession with fro-yo

GUILTY OF WATER WASTING....I have to throw in a few water sprinkler days. They are just so stinking fun

Marathon Monday

Well I am training, marathon style, well half marathon style. My goal is to run my first 1/2 marathon by 30, which I will be turning in December. I wanted accountability so...

Last weekend I got up to 7 miles and realized I need some new shoes and a method of hydration. I am not a previously long distance runner so this stuff is so new to me.

I got a new pair of kicks (New Balance 890) and camelbak handheld in tow I ran 8 miles this weekend...YAY

What I learned with new kicks and a new hydration system

1. New kicks work different muscles....I am so sore in the weirdest places in my calves & shins
2. Handheld bottles even with straps and whatnot is too much for long runs. Next weekend I try the 'fanny' pak (not looking forward to having something strapped to me)
3. It stinks not having a cut out in your foot bed for the Nike Ipod sensor in NB shoes

I have been noticing how hungry I am and I just crave carbs afterwards so I am going to work on a bread recipe...Jalapeño Cheese Bread and will get back to you soon on the results. The first loaf I made tasted bad.  I discovered the flour was freezer burnt, wishing I would have noticed that prior too!

By the way...  GIVEAWAY ends this Friday as it has gone on too long!!

Farmer's Markets & Giveaway reminder

Well it is Friday. So far I have scouted out two farmer's markets, each with their own neat vendors, but still haven't found "the one" and my small garden is blooming but no fruits-of-labor yet. So tomorrow I venture out a bit farther to one that was recommended to me.


Farmers markets are a great community resource where you can find produce, meats, goods, usually at better prices than retail. If they are similar I justify farmer's market purchases because I know that my money is being used in my local area to further economic growth.

Also I just have a thing for knowing where my food comes from.  Where do you get your produce in the summer?  I encourage you to Google farmer's markets in your area...let me know what you find


Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY

Spaghetti Carbonara

 

My husband's favorite and it truly isn't bad for you compared to most carbonara recipes...and it is super, super simple to make.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 package of whole wheat angel hair pasta
• 1/2 cup egg whites or two egg whites from extra large eggs
• parmesan (I used a mixture of pre-grated and self-grated)
• turkey bacon
• 1/2 videlia onion finely chopped
• 1-2 minced garlic cloves or 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 tbsp butter
• salt and pepper (as desired)
• 8-10 oz frozen, chopped spinach (I forgot to add the spinach into the pic)

DIRECTIONS:

         

1. Saute garlic and onions in butter until translucent
2. Add in chopped up bacon and cook covered for 30 mins over med low heat
3. Add in spinach (if desired, and heat until warmed)
4. Cook pasta as directed on packaging.
5. Drain and QUICKLY return to pot and add eggwhites stirring with pasta server continuously.  The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and they should stick to the pasta.
6. Add the pasta in with the bacon, spinach mix, and add in parmesan cheese.
7. Serve and top with additional parmesan if desired.

DELISH!!