Category — Pre-Run Snack

It is snowing.  Again. 

I made it over to the apartment gym for a much better 5 mile run this morning.  To prevent a repeat of yesterday, I ate only a Fig Newman before walking over there.

I had the gym to myself so I caught up on the Today show while running my little heart out.  I challenged myself with some speed intervals which kept the run interesting.  I still hate the treadmill though.

After a warm shower, I settled down for some b-fast/lunch.

Egg in a basket, Chocolate milk and a banana….

Hit the spot.    I really love the egg in a basket – so simple.

Matt and I are going to run a few errands momentarily and then enjoy the rest of New Years Eve at home relaxing and maybe watching a movie.

Do you have any big New Years Eve plans?

I didn’t make it to bed at 10 pm like I had hoped last night – it was closer to 11 pm BUT we finished writing out our Christmas cards.  Matt is going to pick up stamps today and we will stamp and seal them tonight.  I also spent a few minutes reading in bed – I am trying to read a little every night (even if its just a few pages); I hope it helps my brain focus on something besides work, the holidays, running, etc.

I woke up at 6 am today – didn’t even hit the snooze button – and made it over to our apartment gym where I ran for 60 minutes (the highest amount of time allowed on the treadmill).  Although I didn’t run 7 miles, I did make it to 6.5.  I did a mix of speed intervals to try to keep things interesting…as interesting as you can make running on a stationary object.  At least I was able to catch up with Meredith and Matt.

Before running, I enjoyed a Fig Newman. 

After a nice hot shower, I enjoyed a breakfast sandwich on a Food for Life English Muffin. 

On my sandwich was soy nut butter, sliced honeycrisp apple and sliced banana

I was going to eat the rest of the apple and banana with my breakfast but I’m stuffed!  Instead, I will bring it to work for a mid-morning snack. 

As I was watching the Today show this morning, I was thinking…Are you a Today show or Good Morning America fan?  

On the Road!

Last night while looking at the weather for today, I realized my run this morning was going to be done on the treadmill.  Also, thinking about how helpful it was to bring my breakfast to work today, I decided to take Cream of Wheat Wednesday to work. 

Before heading over to the apartment gym, in the heavy snow, I enjoyed a Fig Newman. 

Last night, I prepared my supplies – check them out!

In my lunch bag went a whisk, and unpictured spoon, Instant Cream of Wheat, Soy Nut butter, and Raspberry Jelly.  I will buy a banana in the cafeteria to mash into the mix. 

In case you couldn’t tell, today is Soy Nut Buttah and Jelly Cream of Wheat.

I hate to say it but I have only ONE meeting today – at 5:30 pm.  I have almost a free day.  Hopefully I will make a dent on my to-do list!

Before my run, I enjoyed an excellent pre-run snack/afternoon snack: Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt, one crumbled Barbara’s Oat and Honey granola bar, and some Pomegranate arils

I headed out with enough time to run 7 miles just before dark.  It was chilly and some areas were still covered in a little snow but it was a great run!  Compared to last week’s 9 miler, this run was much easier.  I wasn’t dehydrated and the wind was much lighter – I had energy to keep going but the lack of sunlight towards the end put a damper on that. 

After my run I got working on our dessert for the evening – but first dinner.  We had leftover spinach, mushrooms and scallions from last week that needed to be used.  I thought the best way to use them was to make a big omelet.  We were out of shredded cheese, so I used a Laughing Cow Herb and Garlic cheese. 

Because there wasn’t enough veggies for two omelets, Matt got to work on another egg recipe that I was sent by a reader (thanks Cindy!) a few weeks ago – Pizza! Pizza Egg Mug 

I think Matt followed the recipe pretty closely except he used one egg and one egg white; he also used Pizza sauce and regular pepperoni – all we had in the fridge. 

I had 1/2 of Matt’s Egg Mug egg and 1/2 my veggie omelet for dinner plus a Food for Life English Muffin

I loved this dinner – the Pizza! Pizza! Egg mug was excellent – such a great flavor.  I highly recommend this recipe for a quick dinner.  

In yesterday’s freezer cleanout/inventory, I also checked the fridge and found a few apples that were also nearing the end of their edibility.  I had found a recipe on Megan’s blog a few weeks ago that I had wanted to try and tonight was the night. 

I followed the recipe pretty closely but used 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/8 cup maple sugar – I also omitted the cinnamon.

I had a portion of this delicious dish for dessert.

I predict these apples may find their way into breakfast one day this week…

How often do you do a fridge/freezer cleanout?

Winter has finally made its way to the Northeast.  I am very thankful that yesterday was the first time I have worn my winter coat.  Today was my first sub-40 degree run.  In fact, look at the temperature outside now – and I got back from running over an hour ago!

Before bundling up to head outside, I enjoyed a Fig Newman.

I ran a quick 3 miles – it was cold out and a hot shower was calling my name.  Running in the cold air is definitely more difficult and it took me a little longer than normal to get into a comfortable pace (or to feel my legs…). 

When I returned, I decided a parfait would be perfect for this Tuesday morning breakfast.  In my parfait was 1/2 a honeycrisp apple, some blueberries (defrosted from my freezer), Heartland Granola and Grape Nuts cereal, and Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt. 

Delightful!  Tuesday is my day of meetings so I should get going…

Matt started stirring around 9 am this morning – I thought it was a good time to get up as well considering we had a lot to do today…and I had to run 9 miles.  Eeek. 

Before heading out I had a piece of Whole Wheat toast with Chunky Soy Nut Butter and 1/2 a sliced banana – I also had a glass of water.

Pete, the Weatherman from WHDH said it was going to be a lot less windy today – he was wrong. 

It was still really windy.  I had trouble pacing myself and ended up running less than a 9 minute mile my first mile – that did not bode well for the rest of my run.  I was chugging along just fine until about 5 1/2 miles in – I started to get REALLY thirsty.  I thought about my water consumption the last few days and realized I was probably pretty dehydrated.  Between flying on Friday, my run yesterday (which I did not drink water after finishing – I went right out with Matt to drop off the recycling) and the wine I drank last night, did not add up to a happy run.  Fortunately I had packed some Sharkies incase I needed a little extra energy.

I ate some Sharkies around 6.7 miles – I didn’t need the energy so much but I was hoping they would make my mouth not feel like the Sahara desert.  They worked a little bit but honestly I struggled the rest of the run.  I stopped to walk a lot, my muscles were tensing up and my drive to finish was quickly being depleted. 

I persevered (with a lot of walk breaks) and finished my run with an average of 9:34 minute mile pace.  I was filled with mixed emotions (besides wanting to drink a gallon of water) – frustrated, happy and tired.  I am glad I still have a little over a month before the 1/2 marathon – I need a few more good runs in there before I can run 13 miles!

Phew.  Ok…onto more food. 

When I walked shuffled into the apartment, I made a bee-line for water and Gatorade.  I drank so much liquid that I didn’t have an appetite for any food (after a shower of course).  I knew I needed to eat so I made myself an Egg in a Basket!

Holy Eggy – why did I wait so long to try this?  I slightly buttered the bread so it would toast nicely in the skillet.  I enjoyed my Egg/Toast with a few slices of cheese and the rest of the banana from my first breakfast.

This afternoon I worked on 4 loads of laundry and Matt and I attempted to create a few new recipes.  Unfortunately the two recipes we created didn’t really turn out.  Sorry – nothing to share.  That took up most of the day but we did find time to make some pizza!

Matt made dough while I folded some laundry – he made the dough with all white flour instead of 1/2 white flour, 1/2 whole wheat.  We rolled out some crusts and added our own toppings.

Matt made 1/2 his pizza a white pizza with no sauce – the other 1/2 had sauce.  For toppings he had tomato, mushrooms, pepperoni and scallions.

Mine had broccoli (lightly steamed), mushrooms, tomato and scallions

I enjoyed a little less than 1/2 of the pizza – leftovers for later in the week!  Although I liked this pizza, I think I prefer the dough to be made with 1/2 white flour and 1/2 whole wheat flour.  Not only is it more healthy, but more flavorful.

I ate the rest of the steamed broccoli with a little lemon juice and parmesan cheese

What a delicious dinner!  I am continuing to drink water – I still think I am dehydrated.  My legs are very sore and jumpy – I am using my foam roller and hope to be feeling better tomorrow.

It is sad Thanksgiving break is over – back to work tomorrow!

Today started around 9:30 am when I woke up.  I was having MAJOR guilt from leaving Sammy the fish at my office for a few days without any food friends (he was fed on Wednesday night so not that long ago)…so Matt and I set out a few minutes after we woke up to pick him up. 

After retrieving Sammy and cleaning his bowl (it was nasty), I set out for a 5 mile run.  Before heading out I had two Fig Newmans (I also snacked on 1/2 a Chocolate Mint Donut from Dunkin Donuts on our way home).

It was so windy out!  I felt like 3/4 of my run was spent running straight into the wind – it was hard.  My average pace was about a 9 minute mile so I was pleased with myself.

After a shower, I realized it was almost 2:30 – and I hadn’t eaten much all day.  We needed to go to the grocery store and run a few other errands before our dinner reservations in Providence so I ate a BIG bowl of cereal.  In the mix was: Three Sisters Graham Crackerz Cereal, Cascadian Farms Multi Grain Squares, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, and Kashi Island Vanilla.  I also sliced a banana and had some soy nut butter on the side for dipping

This really filled me up – I was stuffed.

After our errands, Matt and I headed down to Providence for birthday dinner.

We ate at a new restaurant tonight

Check out the mission of the restaurant:

We take seriously our obligation to our customers of providing the best each season has to offer. Our mission is to serve the best locally- raised foods available: vegetables harvested in season by local farmers who care about the health of their land and your food. Meats raised in sunshine on our New England pastures, with no inhumane confinement, antibiotics or growth hormones-ever. We work hard to avoid serving anything that’s been genetically modified, packaged in a factory, or transported very far. Our suppliers are small-scale New England farmers, cheese makers, and other food artisans we know by name. It’s our goal to provide warm, gracious service and share our dedication of locally harvested ingredients with our patrons.

However, our commitment to local extends beyond our plates.

We recognize that by supporting local artists creates balance and sustains the cultural life of our community. That’s why we actively support our local artists, from the tiny butter dishes on our tables to the large-scale photographs you see on our walls. The fact is, without the work of artists, our lives would be pale and colorless.

For you, the diner, it means that you’re not only enjoying a world-class meal in an elegant setting, prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients available, but that you’re also supporting small family farms and local artists in Rhode Island and New England. A dining experience at Local 121 is something both you and your taste buds can feel good about.

I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Matt ordered a Riesling – mine was better. 

For an appetizer, we chose the Point Judith Fried Calamari -lemon-white wine butter, fresh herbs, house pickled peppers, fried lemon

The calamari were good – just a tad too peppery for me (I’m not the biggest fan of the banana peppers).

For my entree I chose the Pan-Seared Bomster Scallops – caramelized cauliflower, golden raisins, capers, pine nuts, brown butter (no pine nuts for me)     

What a horrible picture!  At least the scallops were good.  There was about 3 bites of caramelized cauliflower – I was disappointed – but the scallops more than made up for it.  They were cooked to perfection with a great flavor.

I would highly recommend Local 121 and hope to go back again – there were a few other dishes I wanted to try.

I had a great birthday – thank you to all those who made it so special!

This morning I awoke at 6 am to find this outside the window

It was a tad bit froggy. 

I enjoyed a pre-race sandwich of whole wheat toast, soy nut butter and 1/2 a banana.

Made it to the race on time and even spent some time in Whole Foods warming up – it was in the low 40s out.  

Matt, my official photographer, took some pictures of the starting line – I’m somewhere in the back.

This race was very hilly – especially miles 2-4.  The last big hill was quite a killer – I swear I was running up it in slow motion.  The race was mostly through a residential neighborhood and there were lots of spectators cheering us on –  was very helpful.

I made it to the finish line – my watch said 46:30 – which I was very happy about considering it took me almost 1/2 a mile to pick up a decent pace – there were lots of walkers to navigate through. 

There I go about to cross the finish line (I’ve got the pink jacket on). 

Now I’m finishing my second breakfast of 1/2 a honeycrisp apple, 1/2 a banana, pomegranate arils, granola, Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt and some raisins.

I need to finish getting ready – we are leaving soon for my Aunt and Uncle’s house for Thanksgiving dinner!

Wishing you and your family and Happy Thanksgiving!

This morning I stayed in bed a little longer then I anticipated – but I guess that means my body needed some sleep. 

I got up and ate a whole Honey Graham Cliff Z-Bar and hit the road for an 8 mile run.

Holy moley was it hot out there – I forgot it was November!  Today’s run was definitely more of a challenge than last week’s 7 miler.  I had very little energy and had a lot of stopping and starting – plus the heat I don’t think helped (crazy I say heat in November – I do live in Massachusetts).  Around mile 5 I stopped and enjoyed a few gummy bears

My energy supply was dwindling and I wasn’t doing too bad but I knew once mile 7 hit I would be passed out on the side of the road without a little boost of sugar.  Around mile 6 I felt the sugar – whoa – that was amazing!  Unfortunately I don’t think I ate enough – I ate about 1/2 this package – because once I hit mile 7 I was cruising on empty again.  I didn’t want to stop for the rest of the packet because I knew I would have a hard time starting up again. 

I struggled but finished my 8 miles – surprisingly, my average time was 2 seconds faster than last week.  Woo hoo!

I came home to a nice shower and then enjoyed some breakfast/lunch at 2:30 pm.

Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Cranberry sauce, Pomegranate arils, Granola and Grape Nuts.

Sadly I have to run back to work now – I apparently forgot my laptop.  I have some work that needs to get done today.  Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! 

I wasn’t too happy to have to set my alarm on a Saturday but I needed to get in a 3 mile run before I have to be at work by 11 am. 

I got up a little after 7 am, and enjoyed yet another Fig Newman – for some reason I was STARVING this morning. 

I set out for a 3 mile run but ended up running 3.85 miles – I forgot to turn my Garmin on so I went back and redid some of what I had already run to see how far it was.  Can someone say Type A?  Jack Frost paid a visit to the area last night and it was chilly – I had a hard time regulating my breathing, but once I warmed up, it wasn’t too bad. 

Last weekend I bought a bag of cranberries from the farm down the road (also where I bought the Spaghetti Squash I have been enjoying).

I found a recipe in the November issue of Cooking Light magazine that sounded amazing – sadly the recipe isn’t online but it included sugar and apple cider.  It is a great cranberry sauce and if you want to find it, I recommend you pick up the magazine – its on page 69!

This morning I mixed some of my cranberry sauce with some pomegranate arils and started layering it with some Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt and Granola plus Grape Nuts. 

Check out this Candy Cane Parfait!

This was delicious.  The granola sweetened the tart cranberries (I used less sugar in the sauce then called for) and the vanilla added a great flavor.  You may be seeing this breakfast again in the next 3 days.