Tuesday, April 30, 2013

6miles and my favorite smoothie 4-30-2013

Hello! I know, I know its late.  I should be in bed or at the very least doing some homework.  But if you know me it shouldn't surprise you that I will do just about anything to put off homework.

Good 6mile run today.  Thank goodness I bought a book that I couldn't put down.  Since I run mostly on the treadmill, yes I know outside is better but I like air conditioning, somewhere to put my water bottle and access to a restroom, I have been reading to pass the miles.  It does make me a little bit slower, not that I needed any help in that department.  The good thing though is today while running my 6 miles I got lost in the drama of the dysfunctional love story I was reading looked up and was 4.5 miles in!  WooHoo!! Now I just need to find another book Since I bought it yesterday and finished it tonight :-/ no I'm not kidding I did really read it in 2 days.  Maybe I will get lucky and find something that will last me for a 20 mile run that I will be doing in the not so distant future.  I'm thinking trying a audio book might be an interesting distraction when I do actually run outside.  Ha maybe I will finally finish the Game of Thrones Series.

Loving my new shoes, but a new ache/soreness in one of my calves.  I really hope its not the shoes......I'm seriously tired of trying to find the right pair of shoes.


Well now on to what you have been the chocolate smoothie!

4-5 medium small beets, steamed.  I buy the giant package of portioned out steamed beets from Costco. A single portioned out package works perfectly
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
5 dates
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 scoop chocolate Raw Garden of Life Protein
1 banana
1 cupish strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or mixture of all three.
Toss everything into the blender and blend until smooth.  This makes 2-3 smoothies for, depending on how hungry I am.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Start of Marathon Training!!! Salad Nicoise 4-29-13

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.

So, I sat read this hilarious book about training for your first marathon with lots of tips and a few different training plans.  If you ever think about running a full marathon pick up this book, it was a fun easy read.  The Non runners Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais.

Good thing, I'm already running a sufficient amount during the week.  Bad thing, I have to double my long runs.....eeekkk!  I also bought some new running shoes this weekend and let me just say I love how cushy they are.  I went to a local running shop and the guy there was really helpful.  I told him what I have been running in and the issues I have been having with those shoes.  He had me walk around bare foot, measured and inspected my feet.  He showed me a few shoes he thought I would like and the first one I tried on I fell in love with.  Big surprise to me, the last pair I bought were for pronators, my Mizunos were over correcting making my foot placement off a bit.  I really wanted to go for a run yesterday but it was a "rest" day, boo.  Instead I sat down with my calendar and wrote out my runs and work outs for the week, in an attempt to plan out my training.  I've decided not to follow any specific training plan, instead I joined USA Fit Rio a running group that will be training for the full marathon at Duke City this year.  What a coincidence thats the one I will do.  Not exited about having to drive to Rio Rancho every Saturday at 7am for long runs but it will get me outside and off the treadmill, which I need to do more.  Today's run 3mi, nothing major because I have to make sure I survive the trainer torture session this afternoon ;0  

I'm doing another half marathon this weekend, Run for The Zoo.  This was my very first race.  I did this one way back in 7th grade, I think it was all of 1 mile and so fun.  I should have realized my love of running then!      

Salad Nicoise is one of my favorite salads and have been since I first made it in culinary school years.
Its a simple constructed salad that is quite pretty.

3 Hard boiled eggs
Tomatoes
Thinly Sliced Red Onion
Steamed Green Beans
1 Avocado
1 small jar Artichoke Hearts
Kale
Spinach
Arugula
1 can Tuna in oil
1 tbsp Dijon
1 tbsp Minced Shallots
Sea Salt and Pepper
2 Tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 lemon juiced
Fresh Thyme, Oregano and Basil
To make the vinaigrette, drain tuna and save oil.  Chop shallots very small.  Whisk in small bowl oil, shallots, dijon, vinegar, herbs, Salt and Pepper to taste and lemon juice.  In a bowl toss greens.  Arrange all salad toppings on top of greens.  Drizzle with dressing.  I had enough for 3 servings.





Sunday, April 28, 2013

Crock Pot Imitation Yucatan Chicken 4-28-13

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!
Hope your weekend is going well.  This past week I had some soup, Yucatan Chicken, from one of my favorite restaurants.  It was for lunch, so I came home and wanted to have the same thing for dinner.  I know, I eat a lot of the same meals over and over.  Its easier to make large family style meals and eat it all week.  So I made my own version of it.  It looked simple enough; green chili, tomato, celery, corn, chicken and broth.  I have no idea what made it Yucatan Chicken soup and not just plain old green chili chicken soup but it was pretty tasty.  I really like having pre-made meals in the fridges for those days when I am really hungry and don't feel like cooking, yes it happens to me too.  Like yesterday after doing Warrior Dash with some fabulously fit friends I came home and was starving.  Luckily I one last bowl of this hearty fresh soup to satisfy my warrior hunger!
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
1 box chicken broth
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup green chili
2 chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper

 Dump everything into the crock pot and cook on low over night or about 8 hours.  Pretty easy, right?  I love using my crock pot it makes cooking so easy sometimes.  I have eaten this many times after a few nights I decided to change it up a bit and add some avocado and a little Diaya Cheddar.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Pancakes, Race refuel drink and Albuquerque half recap 4-27-13

Well good morning friends!
I'm on a roll, this is the third day in a row that I have posted recipes, boohoo

So I wanted to share something with all 5 people that read this blog.  I have decided to do a FULL marathon this fall at the Duke City Marathon.  Yup I'm crazy and yup I'm scared!  Since I was not at all a runner when I did my first half and "trained" for all of 2 weeks before I did my first Duke City Half Marathon, I thought that would be the perfect race to do my first full Mary.  Now I'm going to start running even more, didn't really think that was possible but apparently I have a few extra minutes that I will be filling with extra mileage on my running shoes.  Which just reminded me I need new running shoes!  With all of this extra running I plan to be doing I have decided to record my marathon training journey here, for me too look back and see my progress and remember my pain, because there will be pain.... lots and lots of pain...... so I've been told ;-)


I've done lots of half marathons.  Its a fun race.  I love the excitement of the starting line and the sense of accomplishment at the finishing line.  Its the perfect distance because a day or two later I can do my usual trainer torture session or run.  This past weekend how ever I had my first experience with cramping.  Cramping so bad I couldn't keep going and had to stop, sit on the side of the road and rub out my twitching and contracting calve muscles.  WORST TIME EVER!  Not even my first half marathon took me that long to complete.  While I can say I am proud I got up and finished, I was very disappointed in my time.  I have got to say, that is something I wish to never experience again.  Now I don't do Gatorade, I have issues with drinking something that was chemically engineered to basically be reconstituted sweat and power aid because it gives me a tummy ache.  I know, I know,  I'm just being difficult.  I usually run with just water, nothing special.  For my last few races I have started added in some form of electrolyte replacement and after many trials have come up with my own that is pretty tasty.

Coconut Water, provides potassium and refreshingly tasty
Sea Salt for sodium of course
Raw Organic Honey for some added carbs, my favorite!
Fresh Orange, Lemon and Lime

Basically I throw all of this into a large water bottle and shake!

Most people I know love the carb loading night before because its a wonderful excuse to have something that would otherwise not be part of their diet.  I generally don't over do it because I have learned that I don't feel so great the day after eating too much carbs.  For me a baked sweet potato, some brown rice or a little frozen yogurt is sufficient.  I do like to have some carby oatmeal or healthy pancakes the morning of long runs.


My favorite healthy pancakes are very easy to make.

1 Banana
1 tbsp Almond Butter, plus 1 to top the pancakes with
1 Eggs
Vanilla



I place all in my handy dandy magic bullet and blend till smooth.  If you want some added protein, you could add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.  I have tried it and it works pretty well.


 I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs Carrotsncake, hers are 2 ingredient pancakes, I of course made a few adjustments.  Cook just like you would regular pancakes, top with almond butter and some berries. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend, I'm off to get a lil dirty at Warrior Dash with my favorite fit buddy!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Spaghetti Casserole 04-26-13

Good Morning!

Whats for dinner?  One of my new favorites is this Spaghetti Casserole, it is cheesy and filled with veggies.  Served with a salad its perfectly filling.


Spaghetti Squash Casserole
1 spaghetti squash
Coconut oil
Sea Salt
Pepper

Cut Squash in half, lightly spread coconut oil over halves of squash and sprinkle sea salt and pepper.  Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 30-40 minutes, until tender.

1- 10oz package frozen spinach, thawed
1- 8oz package Daiya mozzarella shreds
2 eggs
1 pack mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup fresh basil, chiffonad (I will explain what this means)





Slice mushrooms and place into large bowl.  Squish spinach in strainer to assure all remaining liquid is removed.  So chiffonad, that basically means lay out all of your basil leaves one on top of the other, so you have a nice little basil stack then roll them up then thinly slice.  This will give you pretty little strips of basil and I prefer it to chopping my basil.  Place all of these ingredients into a bowl and mix, thoroughly.  If you like to add salt to your food 1 tsp could be added to this mixture.

1- 25 oz tomato sauce
1lb ground turkey, I only used 1/2 because thats all I had but a full pound would work better
1/4 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped


Also done while the spaghetti squash is baking, place spinach into a strainer.  You want to remove as much of the liquid as possible.  Cook ground turkey in a sauté pan, add onion and garlic.  Sauté until fully cooked.  Add marinara to the mixture and set a side to cool.

Once the squash is done allow to cool a little bit and with a fork scrape out your spaghetti into a separate bowl.  Add spaghetti squash to cheese mixture and again mix thoroughly.  In a baking dish layer marina mixture and cheesy squash mixture, alternating for about 3 layers of each.  I sprinkled with nutritional yeast, which gives it an even cheesier flavor, on top of the marinara layer and the top layer.
 Place a lid on the baking dish and bake at 350F for 30 minutes covered.
Take the lid off and bake for another 10-15 minutes uncovered.  This was such a comfort food type of dinner and not totally bad for you like most spaghetti or lasagna casseroles are.  Enjoy!! I did ;-)

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Spring rolls and yummy sauce! 4-25-13

Good afternoon friends!!
Last week I ate these chicken spring rolls and no peanut "peanut" sauce.  It was a delicious meal full of veggies and lean protein.

First things first.....grill some chicken, you'll want it to be cool for putting inside your rice paper.
I used my spiffy little kitchen grill that is perfect size for 2 chicken breasts.

Spring Rolls and nut sauce
6 sheets rice paper
2 cooked chicken breast
Avocado
Carrot slices
Cucumber slices
sprouts
kale, Spinach or Romain
2 tbsp Braggs Aminos
4 oz apple sauce, unsweetened
1/2 lime, juice (may need more to thin out sauce if too thick)
1/2 cup Coconut milk (canned is best)
1/2 cup Almond butter, unsweetened
1 tsp garlic
1 1/2 tsp ginger


Slice chicken and veggies, thin slices.
Soak rice paper according to directions.  This package said 5 seconds, but I found it worked better after about 10 seconds in warm water.  they were easier to roll.  Do 1 at a time.  Layer chicken, avocado and veggies and roll like a burrito.

 Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a medium size bowl, if too thick add the remaining half lime juice.




 Enjoy!!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Chocolate Protein Macaroons 4-19-13

Good morning and happy Friday friends!!

Hope everyones' week has gone well.  Tomorrow I am running another half marathon.  Woo Hoo that makes four in less than a year!

This is a quick recipe that I threw together with coconut, egg whites, stevia and protein powder.  I made some macaroons and a cute little Easter display for everyone at work and have since been on a macaroon kick.

 Rather than eat them the way they are normally made with tons of sugar I made a few changes and came up with a less indulgent treat with a little added protein. 

Protein Macaroons
1 c egg whites
3 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1 scoop Garden of Life Raw Chocolate Protein powder
1 tbsp stevia



In a large cold bowl, yes it matters that it is cold.  Egg whites form better in a cold bowl so don't do this when its really hot in your kitchen or with a bowl that just came out of the dish washer, it will end badly (yes I have made this mistake more than once).  When the egg whites have formed stiff peaks add in stevia and protein powder then beat a little more.  Toss coconut in and lightly, very lightly toss the coconut in otherwise you will end with a wet mess that does not resemble macaroons.  Scoop out with an ice cream scooper and place on a cookie sheet or pan covered with wax paper.  I also choose to smear some coconut oil on the wax paper, I had a stuck to pan fiasco that I wanted to avoid!  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  Let cool before removing from the pan.  Enjoy!!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Quinoa for breakfast anyone? 4-17-13

Good Morning friends!!
Hope your week is going well.  I did a bunch of food prep this weekend so I am sharing the food I made this week.....more to come like home made spring rolls with peanut free peanut sauce, taco salad, carrot cake bars and protein macaroons.

Today I am sharing my breakfast.  Crock Pot Quinoa which is quick and easy, not to mention very tasty.

Breakfast Crock Pot Quinoa-6 servings

1 bag sprouted quinoa, 1 1/2 cup
1 can light coconut milk
2 cup water
2 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 ripe mangos, peeled and chopped into bite sizes (should have been 2 but mysteriously half of one disappeared)
1 container of raspberries
6 tbsp chopped macadamia nuts
Place quinoa, coconut milk, water, honey and vanilla in crock pot.  Cook on low for about 4 hours.  Keep an eye on this, all crock pots vary with cooking times and temps.  It would be awful to ruin a whole bag of quinoa or have to eat mush!


 When fully cooked, turn off and remove from the heat source because it will continue to cook.  Stir in mango pieces.  I portioned into 6 containers so breakfast is ready for the week.  Top with raspberries and 1 tbsp chopped macadamia nuts.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Taco Salad 04-16-13

Good Evening friends!

Hope your night is going well, I had a few extra minutes so I decided to post a second recipe today, yay!  

So most of my meals are made in mass quantity and I eat the same thing over and over again all week.  For example I made taco salad this past weekend during my food prep.  I ended up with 5 servings, perfect for the weeks salads, or occasional dinner when I'm too tired to make anything after the awesome trainer educed torture session.  

Taco Salad


1/2 lb ground turkey
1 can black beans
1 cup corn
1 handful fresh torn cilantro
1 red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
1/4 red onion

Saute ground turkey and garlic that has been chopped, season with salt and pepper.  While cooking, chop red bell pepper in to bite size pieces.  When fully cooked removed from heat and toss with beans, onion, peppers, cilantro and corn.  This made 5 servings for me.  I served with salsa and avocado slices on top of mixed greens (kale, arugula, spinach, romaine, shredded carrots, red cabbage).

 Just a quick note, I use as much organic ingredients as possible, even if I do not specify on each recipe.
 Pictures are a little random for this recipe, I even forgot to take a finished product picture because I was busy cooking multiple things!