Brown Rice Crisps and Pizzert; Happy Halloween!

WE had tons of fun last night taking Nick and Kara out for Halloween. Nick had a blast going up to the houses. Last year he couldn't walk - we went to a few relatives' houses but that was it.  This time we made it to 8 houses, and he said 'trick or treat,' knocked on doors and reached for candy.  We let him eat one piece - he picked a kit kat! then he wanted more more more but that was it.  He was WOUND up before bed, I think from the sugar. All in all, such a fun night!

What did you do for Halloween?

On the weekends, I've been trying to plan out the meals based on what I have in the house from the last week's shopping trip. Yesterday I made some asparagus soup for tonight's dinner. It might be a little too salty (from the veggie boullion) but it's tasty! 

I'll post the recipe later on.

For breakfast today -

Blueberry Pumpkin Maple Coconut Breakfast Pizzert

adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie's recipe

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 T. maple syrup (one for top after cooked)
• 1 c almond milk
• 3 T. pumpkin
• 1/4 c blueberries
• 1/8 cup coconut

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until set. Top with 1 T maple syrup. Delicious!

Brown Rice Crisps!

I had Trader Joe's brown rice tortillas and wasn't feeling them, but didn't want them to go to waste. I made them into chips. Drizzled w/ olive oil and baked at 300 for about 8-10 min. They brown fast so keep your eye on them! They will go really well w/ the soup!

Avocado Brownies

I'm in a chocolate mood.

I tried these today from Heather's recipe page.  I didn't see the part about using a loaf pan until after I was done - it didn't fully fill out an 8 x 8 pan but it was fine. I made a few changes (see recipe below) and these are really good. My only caveat was that the avocado that I used wasn't fully ripe so there are some visible little shreds in the brownie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 t Baking Soda(I like them fudgy)
• 1 T Flax
• 1 T chia
• 4 T water
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 cup almond milk (more as needed)
•  1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Peel and cut 1/2 of an avocado and blend in a food processor until it’s a creamy texture.
2. Add 4 T of water and 1 T of ground flax + 1 T chia seeds to the avocado to make a flax egg. Let it sit for a few minutes while combining the rest of the ingredients.
3. In a large bowl mix the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and baking soda.
4. Blend the avocado and flax egg in the food processor to combine.  Add coconut oil.
5. Add the avocado flax oil mix to the fry ingredients and mix.
6. The mix will be too dry to mix completely. Add almond milk until  it creates a batter.
7. Bake in a prepared baking pan for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Thanks Heather!

I also made: Flourless Pumpkin Bread. 
My mom said this tasted like a pumpkin omelet... hmm. It was ok, but doesn't taste like bread. I must have done something wrong.

ANd parsnips w/ sweet potatoes. Liked it!

Feeding change - help

Kara is almost 3.5 months old and eats 5 times a day at 7/8-11-2-5 and 7:30/8/before bed.  By 4 months, I'd like to switch her to a 4 times a day schedule so morning-12-4 and 8.  At 4 months do I just make the switch or ease into it? With Nick, he wasn't on a set schedule as well as Kara is. She is doing so well with a schedule and I think that has contributed to her sleeping so well at night.   I'm a little afraid to switch her to 4x/day too early but many days I have to wake her up to eat.  Any mom advice?

Unscheduled long run

This week, I've been affected by the death of the swimmer from our area.  I keep reading about it and thinking about it and wondering how it could have happened. It is such a tragedy.  It sounds like there were not enough people out watching the swimmers and like runners in hot temperatures, he must have passed out and just drowned. An Olympic hopeful. I hope there are penalties and fines and they can never hold an event there again. A buffoon on the staff made a statement that you might have seen that was "We're sorry that the guy died, but he overexerted himself." I wish I could body slam that guy to the ground. That's just terrible - imagine how his family feels.  I also hope there is research done and new rules for temperatures for all sports - it is not worth it.

I've been hugging my kids closer this week and really enjoying them. This morning, Bill had to get up at 5am for work, so I got up too. I am a morning person and love getting up early when I have enough sleep - I feel like I can get so much done before the kids are up!  I got on the treadmill with the goal to do 7 miles, then just kept running until I had to get Kara. I got in 12 miles and that was my goal for my long run this weekend so I'm done with that!  I'm excited because I'm just not as motivated to run on Saturday mornings and miss family time. This past Saturday was great because my sister was in town and she worked around my schedule and we went on a new trail right near my house. Minimal time away from the family and quality time with my sister!  I'm seriously still recovering from the track workout and will go again next week but am skipping this week!


A few recipes to share:
First I picked up this book at the library: 

 I've tried a couple of things in the book but this one is totally worth sharing. Nick and I had it for lunch today - I've been out of ideas for lunch and I feel like he has a peanut butter sandwich everyday.  I happened to have all the ingredients except avocado so I left that out.

Sneaky Dad's Pudding from Raising Vegetarian Children
1.5 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana, broken into pieces
1 to 2 tsp cocoa powder (I used a scoop of Amazing Grass chocolate super food)
2 tsp flaxseed oil (I used ground flax)
3 - 5 T. cashew/almond butter (I used 3)
2-3 T orange juice (I think I used 3)
2 T milk of choice (used almond)
1/8 to 1/4 avocado (didn't have - omitted)

For Nick's, I didn't add in the chocolate powder because he likes the fruit taste better than chocolate (not sure what his problem is, haha). He started with a spoon (and me feeding him because it would have been a mess) and finished with a straw. He's a picky eater right now and it was good to get in the fruit and good fats.  I would attempt to add in some spinach next time.

For Breakfast, I saw this post about smooshy balls. I didn't know what Nick was having for breakfast so this is what I made. It's probably more of a dessert but he had it with grapes and milk, so that's the way it goes today. I guess he's kind of had 2 desserts for his meals today. Oops.

SMOOSHY BALLS

1 c peanut butter (used an almond/peanut combo)

1/2 c dry milk powder 

1/4 c maple syrup (recipe called for honey but maple syrup + peanut butter is divine)

Just mix it all together, roll it out and roll it in anything you want. 

I rolled it in wheat germ, ground chia and flax.

Delicious!

Next up I have a mom question on feeding and have to try the recipes I wanted to try from last week. Got sidetracked!  

What do your kids have for lunch?!  I feel like I'm always in a rush since we usually go out in the morning.

Paying Respects

I just wanted to take a minute to pay respect to a local swimmer who passed away this morning. Fran Crippen came from a family of swimmers in this area - his sister went to Villanova (where Bill and I also went) and they were in our summer swim league.

Locally, if you are or were a swimmer, you knew of this family - 3 girls and 1 boy that were especially talented in swimming. 

This morning I was running with my sister and her old swim coach rode by on a bike. The first thing that he shared with us was that this young man had passed away this morning in an open water swim competition in Dubai. He was 26 years old. We couldn't believe it.  I can't understand how no one saw him go down. I feel so sad. I never met him, I only knew of him.  I just wanted to pay my respects, share with you the article from Philly.com and revel on how short life can be. I don't understand it.

CSN stores and moving out of the crib

Most of you have seen the CSN giveaways around the blog world and heard of CSN stores.  They have over 200 stores and almost every product you could think of, including nightstands, cribs, toddler beds, bureaus and tons of kitchen tools. Can you tell I've started thinking about furniture for my little ones? I am excited to pick out a bedding theme for when Nick moves into a bed.  There are tons of products to choose from at CSN, I'm not sure what I will pick out but I'll be sure to let you know what I find!

I think we are going to go from a crib to regular bed when Nick is between 2 and 3. We have 2 cribs right now! He was too little (17 months) for us to switch him out of the crib (I thought!) When did you switch your little one out of the crib to a bed? Did you do the toddler bed? Was it necessary since you needed the crib again or was it just time? How did you know? Right now Nick has a pooh theme in his room, and this below is cute, but I might move on to airplanes or trucks or something cute like that. For boys, what do you have?

I've had my eye on this one from PBK - maybe a grandparent gift!

Winner GU

Adrienne - you're my winner! Please email me at tosha25italia@yahoo for Island Nectars GU!

I am so sore from the track on Wednesday - it was great! I ran slowly yesterday with my brother's girlfriend and today did some stretching, kettlebells and yoga. So sore!! I didn't swim this week at all. 

Have a great weekend all!

Track workout

Tonight I went to my first track workout with the running group that I joined earlier this month. It was awesome! First I wasn't sure what to eat from lunch on to make sure my stomach was ok - it was kind of unsettled so I'll have to figure something out. I got there just as they were starting. I had a mini warmup jogging to the track - 2 minutes maybe? but whoa, not enough for just getting back into speed training.

It was set up in groups by 5K time. I went in the group 2 which was 22-24 minutes I think. I know Group 1 was under 22 so I just went with the next group. My 5K is a low 23.  There are people in charge of each group, starting us and timing us. It was very cool! The workout was a pyramid:

1 x 800 with 400 recovery - I did this first one in 3:40 with the group
2 x 1000 with 200 recoveries - just under 5 minutes
1 x 1600 with 400 recovery - around 8 min mile
2 x 1000 with 200 rec. - just over 5 minutes - started to fade
1 x 800 with 400 rec. - 3:47

5.75 miles. Then I ran another mile to cool down. 

It was not bad for my first time, I was pleased!  What made me chuckle was that the people I was running with were chatting and having a conversation. Meanwhile, a few others and I were struggling to even breathe! It was a great workout and I hope to go back next week. I just need to find a babysitter! I met a few people, but the people in my group seemed kind of hard core.  I didn't introduce myself to them - I'm kind of shy in new crowds, but my friend Bill who I used to work with introduced me to a few people. Thanks Bill!

We'll see if I can get out of bed tomorrow.

I have a confession to make - I hate leaving my kids and missing bedtime and/or Saturday mornings. I was totally lingering before I left today which made me late.  It is hard for me to get out, but I know it's good!

Clif Seasonals & GU

Clif has seasonal flavors out that sound delicious. I haven't picked them up yet but I can't wait to try them!  Have you tried them yet? The flavors are Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Iced Gingerbread and Spiced Pumpkin Pie. Yum Yum! CLIF BAR will donate 1% of net sales from the seasonal flavors to Winter Wildlands Alliance, the first and only national organization that works on behalf of skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, winter hikers and other outdoor adventurers to address national issues that impact our winter wildlands.  

Another thing new with GU is their energy gel - they made a new recipe. Has anyone tried it? I haven't found it yet but the old one was too heavy for me so I'm looking forward to trying the new one.

 Check out Clif bar on Facebook  or follow on Twitter.

Clif is turning 20 on November 17th so look out for a Giveaway here!!   Hopefully I'll have some seasonal flavors to share with you by then!

Another seasonal flavor - GU's Island Nectars. Have you tried it? I would describe it as a MAI TAI w/ strong pineapple flavor.  I would like to stick with the Chocolate Icing - that's what I call it - or Vanilla Bean flavors, but this was definitely an island flavor. The gingerbread is also amazing: seasonal too! Would you like to win a 4-pack of Island Nectars? Leave a comment below with your favorite go - to vegetarian dinner recipe. If you don't have a favorite in this category, how about your favorite healthy baked good?  Leave one comment! I'll choose a winner on Friday Oct 22.

 

Things I want to try this week:
Parsnips and Carrots P.S. this is an awesome website for moms/baby food
Flourless Sugar Free Pumpkin Bread
Warm Lentil Salad

Things I've made this week:
Maple Nut Oaties -
I changed this recipe a bit:
1/2 c favorite nut butter
1/2 c oats
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c flaxseeds
1/4 c protein powder
1/4 c chia seeds

Mix all together. Put in fridge 15 min to firm up then cook at 325 in little balls for 10-12 min.
Yum yum!

week recap

Thank you all for responding to my question. The half it is! I am waiting for approval and think they will let me in. I am covering the race for my examiner site, so am planning to run the half and bike the second half. Regardless if I get an official entry I will probably race and time myself for the half. I needed to hear NOT to do the marathon. It takes planning, it's serious. 26.2 miles is no joke! It deserves respect and I wasn't respecting the distance.
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This week's workouts
Here was my week recap so far. I didn't get to swim as much as I wanted but it just burns me out getting up before 5 and then being with the kids all day.   There was alot of running (for me)
Monday: Kettleballs and run 5 miles tempo
Tuesday: easy broken up 8 miles
Wednesday: swim 2900 yds
Thursday: easy broken up 8 miles
Friday: easy broken up 7.1 miles
Saturday plan - swim 3000 and run 2 miles & pilates or lifting
Sunday is off!

No long run this week because I want to get in some swim yardage.  And no biking because... I just wasn't feeling it!
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"Live each day like it is your last"
Do you do this? I like this quote and it also freaks me out.
I can do this with my kids but I'm still working on this with others close to me.
I want to read every last book, rock Kara to sleep whenever I can and give her one on one time as much as possible I know how fast it goes and I don't want to miss a minute!
Having lost a family member (aunt) 10 years ago suddenly (she was a mom of 4 small children), I feel like this is ALWAYS in the back of my head. What if I died? What if something happened to Bill or one of the kids? It freaks me out all the time and gives me a whole lot of anxiety. I'm trying to find a happy place of living each day like it's your last.
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Foods this week
Spinach and Mushroom Frittata w/ Smoked Cheese and Quinoa Crust

4 egg whites + 2 whole eggs
1 cup cooked mushrooms
2 cups spinach, cooked (I cooked with 1 T olive oil)
1/2 cup smoked cheese (the one I used was a mix from Trader Joe's)
1/2 c quinoa, cooked
1/4 c water + 1 T ground flaxseed
salt and pepper to taste


First make the crust. Mix the water and ground flax together and let stand 5 minutes. Mix with the quinoa and press into a greased pie plate. Bake 15 minutes at 325.  Meanwhile, place the spinach, eggs and cheese in a food processor until smooth. Mix in the mushrooms. When the crust is done, cover it with the spinach/eggs/cheese/mushroom mix and put back in the oven for 30 minutes.   The smoked cheese really gives it a nice flavor, but any cheese or no cheese at all would be fine too!

Heather's Maple Nut Oaties.
Wow!!  These are totally delicious. They are simple, wholesome, natural, moist and sweet.  I'm pretty sure I could eat a whole batch every day.

1/2 c almond butter
1/2 c maple syrup or agave (I might even try less next time, they were SUPER sweet)
1/2 c coconut
1/2 c oatmeal (I didn't toast it first)
1/4 c protein powder
cinnamon

Heather adds a bunch of other things in too - check out her site above for more add ins.

Mix all ingredients together and place batter in the fridge to firm up for 15 minutes. Bake at 325 for 10-12 minutes.

My baby girl is 3 months today! Where does the time go? She is doing so much better: the first 11 weeks were TOUGH but  I have her down to a T now.  She is totally sweet and I love her to death.

Kara

Have a great weekend!

Marathon? your thoughts?

I have an entry to the Philly races coming up in a month and I'm not sure which to enter myself in.   I haven't run more than the 13 miles in the half a month ago, but I've been doing about 10 miles as a long run each week and logging 25-30 miles a week. Do I amp up my training and attempt the full as a fun run? Or just work on my speed and race the half and then run a few more miles of the full if I'm feeling good? I'll be covering the race to write about it, so the more of the course I can run, the better, but I'm clearly not in marathon shape.  I'm sure I could finish it, but it wouldn't be pretty unless I really up the miles. If I sign up for the half, I can definitely finish it, get a medal, etc. If I sign up for the full and midway through decide there's no way, I'd feel bad taking a half medal.  There's something about finishing a marathon that makes me feel happy and it is enticing, but I have to think about where I am right now and if I could handle it.  What do you think?

moving along

My baby Kara is sleeping like an angel at night - much better than Nick did! And sleeping in so that I can get in the workouts in the morning and be ready to face the day by the time both kids are up.

Last week was running heavy - I reached 30 miles! But I only did 5+ miles on the bike and about 4000yds swimming. The first triathlon that I am going to do is basically a sprint distance with indoor swim in April so I do have time to actually train and get on the bike.  I am toying with the idea of doing a half ironman in October, but I haven't even done any tri distance yet, so I am not sure about that. The idea of riding a bike for more than an hour and the idea of swimming in open water - both of these kind of freak me out.  I guess I'll try it out and go from there.   I'm enjoying the OFF day. It feel so good to not have to work out for one day. I like it. Thank you KAZ :-)

Last week: 
Monday: Run 4 miles + Kettleballs
Tuesday: Run 8 miles
Wednesday: Swim 1600 + abs
Thursday: Run 8 miles, bike 5.23 miles
Friday: Swim + abs
Saturday: 10.5 miles broken up
Sunday: off

As far as eating, lately I have not been doing well. I have been eating whatever Nick doesn't eat and not making myself meals. I feel like that makes me pick at food all day and I need to change that ASAP!

I love fall. I've made a few things worth sharing in the last week or so.  First a fall picture of the little ones:

Nick does not like Kara invading his space.

 This is Angela's pumpkin brownie above from Oh She Glows.

 I believe this is from No Meat Athlete Matt - Wheatballs & Cheeze Sauce
These were very tasty. Not 100% about the cheezee sauce but it was pretty good.

Makes about 28 wheatballs

• 1 1/2 cups cooked or 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chopped white mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for cooking
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup wheat gluten flour (vital wheat gluten)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, mushrooms, garlic, and parsley and pulse until coarsely ground, but not pureed.  Add the remaining ingredients and pulse to combine.
2. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture into a large bowl and knead the mixture until well blended, about 2 minutes.
3. Pinch off a small piece of the mixture, press it together in your hand, then roll into a 1 1/2-inch ball.  Repeat with the remaining mixture.
4. In a large skillet, heat a thin layer of oil over medium heat.  Add the wheatballs, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned all over, moving them in the pan as needed for even browning, about 5 minutes.
5. Repeat until all the wheatballs are cooked.  They are now ready to use in recipes. If not using right away, cool completely, then cover and refrigerate or freeze until needed.  Properly stored, they will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for 3 to 4 weeks.

Cheezee Sauce

Makes about 2 1/2 cups

• 2/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups plain unsweetened soy milk or water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the yeast, cornstarch, salt, and garlic powder.  Turn the heat on medium and whisk in the soy milk.  Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and mustard.  The sauce is now ready to use.  If not using right away, refrigerate the sauce in a container with a tight-fitting lid, where it will keep for several days.

welcome back, 7.0

This week I am meeting my goals without too much effort. It has really helped that Kara has been sleeping later so I can get in a full workout in the morning before both kids are up or need me. The hardest thing for me is going to be getting in the bike. I am not a fan and riding on the stationary bike is dreadful! My dad has one of the espresso bikes that has a computer screen and course like you are going against people and I really still dread every minute I'm on it! I am going to borrow a trainer and bike and try that out but I can't picture liking it without seeing any stats. At least on the treadmill I can try to beat my pace from the day before or do more mileage. Yikes on the bike!

My speed is slowly coming back! And I feel good. On Monday I had a great run after the day off on Sunday - probably the fastest I've ran in a while with some 7.0 speed thrown in there (treadmill). Tuesday I was able to get in 7 miles in the morning with 4 intervals of half mile fast - averaged 7.0 as my fast which is big! I haven't hit the 7s in such a long time. I did an easy quarter mile between them and for the last two I made them 3/4 mile. They felt good. I did an extra mile in the afternoon. Yesterday I did a tempo run around 6.7 (9 min mile speed). We're getting there! I also biked today so my legs feel like mush. I only did 5.2 miles on the bike. I stink at it. Sat long run and Sun off. I'm not fitting in much lifting or yoga/stretching so that is the next goal.

Monday - Kettleballs + 4 miles
Tuesday - Run 8 miles - interval training
Wednesday- Swim 2500 yds + abs
Thursday - run 7 miles - tempo (5 miles) + 1 mile w/ stroller, 5.23 biked (27 min)
Friday plan - swim 1600 yds + do some abs or strength
Saturday - long run
Sunday - off

My hardest thing is getting up for swimming lately - it is hard then getting motivated to go run on Saturday morning after getting up early on Friday. Might have to switch off to Saturday and long run to Sun or off day to Mon.

Taking the lead from Heather over at HEAB, I made my coconut into coconut butter by putting it in the food processor for a while, then added melted chocolate chips. That was good. Then I decided to add almond butter, hemp seeds and flax seeds. Move over Naturally Nutty - I don't need you! This is a nice spread full of good stuff.

triathlon & Grain bread

Thank you for all of the help triathletes for the beginner here! I'm in the process of coming up with a training plan that might work for me.   A little bummed about the lack of weights/strengthening that is going to happen and lots of biking, but I think I can get everything done once Kara is sleeping on a schedule and I'm not guessing when she is going to wake up.   Next I have to get my sister's old bike and get it tuned up (maybe that is what you call it) at the bike store, consider getting a bike trainer, or going to spin class? and everything else is all set (swimming and running). I'm excited!


Taking your advice I also took the day off on Sunday. It was a great idea and it was family day - we went to the pumpkin orchard.   I did kettleballs today and today's run was excellent - fresh legs!- So I am glad I took off yesterday.

Some eats over the last several weeks:

Spaghetti squash with cheese and beans.

 Inspired by Heather - chocolate brown rice bread
2/3 cup brown rice soaked overnight: the next day spread out with papertowels and pat dry
With rice, add to vitamix:
3/4 c water, dash sea salt, 1 T cocoa powder and 1 T sugar.
Spray your pan and bake 20 min and you get a nice bread!

 Used the same recipe with 2/3 c of barley. This one was more rubbery but both good.

October is also breast cancer awareness month. Here are a few articles on a health and beauty site that are informative:

 9 ways to reduce your risk
Give yourself a self exam
Breast cancer awareness

With Kona coming up this weekend, GU is releasing a seasonal flavor for a limited time: ISLAND NECTARS- just in time for Kona.  Look for this button below on my right sidebar - if you are doing Kona click it and get a free loot bag out there. If you order GU from the website, you can get a free 6 pack of this new flavor.

Training for Tris

Some of you are training for Kona (good luck Angela K & Mama S)... others have finished an ironman or other distance triathlon. Congrats Angela G! Since doing something like a half iron also entails running a half marathon, how in the world do you fit in all the training? What is your weekly running mileage in addition to everything else? Do you do maybe a bike one week, swim one week and mostly run? What about lifting and abs? I'd love to hear what your training is like. I used to do 30 miles a week minimum - but it easily made me burnt out. I think I ran 4-5 days a week which isn't alot for many of you. I can't do that anymore. I will hate running.  I'm en route to visit a site to come up with a training plan to do an Olympic distance tri in the spring -that's my goal! I'm excited about this.   The only thing is -- whoa!! I've looked at one race and the entry fee is $200??! That's crazy!! Oh - and why is the swim the shortest part??

This morning I was supposed to meet up with the running group that I joined and do 10 miles. Instead, I slept in and went by myself and did 9.2 miles. I was afraid to listen to music with all the rain we had and possible falling tree branches - but I think that would have helped me do a few more miles. It was a gorgeous morning for a run nonetheless! While I was running, I was thinking how I ran 3 days this week (6+ miles, 7 miles then the 9.2) and that 3 days really isn't enough but 4 days of running might just be boring for me! Can I get by with 3 days? I can surely run tomorrow to reach my mileage goal, but that was to be my day off. What should my weekly mileage be? Here's what the week turned out to be:


Monday: Yoga/Pilates/Strength or Bike - morning or use gym daycare
actual: bike 6 miles + Jillian kettleballs
Tuesday: Run - morning
run 6.27 miles
Wednesday: Swim/Strength or track workout and swim on Monday - morning or night track
swim 2200 yds/45 minutes + pilates/abs
Thursday: Run - morning
run 7 miles
Friday: Swim/Strength - morning
swim 3200 yds/1hr
Saturday: Long Run with group
9.2 miles
Sunday:Yoga/Pilates/Strength or Bike - class at gym OFF(good idea Kaz)
run 3 miles to get to 25 miles for week? off? lift? pilates?

Trending now: All natural

In the latest news, Ben and Jerry's is taking "all natural" off of their label and Log Cabin maple syrup is taking out their caramel coloring since they claim they are all natural. I'm not sure "all natural" is classified by the FDA yet - as I've seen some processed crap and the all natural claim on the same item. Similar to the "whole grain," now "all natural" seems to be the trend. I think it's best to just stick with the fruit, veggies, grains, nuts.. things you know are all natural!

So far this week has been going well with some sacrifices involved. Even though I came up with my set schedule, I kind of had been doing that anyway - the challenge is putting in times for it and making sure I have help to come through with it. Already, I had penciled in swimming for MWF, running for TR and one weekend day with flex workouts in between. Now it is a matter of making sure I have a set time plan for each day. Monday's Jillian kettleballs (which I happened to find on demand) was a great workout - I am still sore!! I used a weight for it. Yesterday I managed 6+ miles in the morning and thought maybe I could get in a couple more to make it to 8 miles - but that was not to be had - basically I get one chance to get in my workout - morning- unless I make it to the gym/daycare.

This morning I gambled and hoped Kara wouldn't wake up while I went swimming and asked Bill to give her a bottle if she did. The only problem is if she woke up between 6:30-7 that is when he gets ready for work. By the time I got up, pumped and got in the car, I was late to swimming and only swam 45 minutes. It was better than nothing and I'll do some kind of strength/abs later (I hope!) Kara ended up waking up at 7, so it would have worked out for me to finish the workout but she isn't on a set schedule yet - when she is, it will be easier.

I've been thinking often about what I will do when it is time to decide about going back to work for the next school year or in 2 years (not sure what I'm allowed to do). In some ways, I think work is easier than this. However, I think of work as work without kids. Work with kids - you work, then come home to kids that you missed all day. I always brought work home and got my tests back the next day or asap. I feel like I would not be happy with my teaching, and feel guilty that I was leaving my kids. I think about this all the time. I miss teaching and haven't been able to find part time work. I worked hard to get the job that I have in a great district. Do I want to give up my job and start over again when the kids are in school? It makes me sick thinking about it. Then when would I fit in the workouts? 5am? Prep periods? I feel like at school I'd have to use every minute so that I didn't have to bring work home. I feel like I could not work 5 days/week and miss my kids - but teaching is also a great job for moms/dads - great hours and summers off. Back and forth... What is the point of life? Work? Family? Kids? Happiness...

I need structure

Thanks so much for all of the comments  - I took many of them and came up with a plan. I decided I need structure.  What is difficult for me right now is the lack of structure because Kara isn't on a schedule yet. I feel like it has been forever (2.5 months) and I'm ready for structure. She goes to bed between 8 and 9 and gets up between 4:30 and 5:30. Most of the time it is close to 5, and masters swimming starts at 5:30 3 days a week so I get sabotaged. Sometimes she's up at 3am - then I am too tired to get up and workout.  We have free daycare at the gym, but last time they came to get me after 10 minutes since Nick wouldn't calm down.  That was last week and I know I have to bring him again and hope it was a bad day, but it is so tough taking him back - he cries every time we start approaching the door to the Y. It's awful! So - I live on structure, which is good and can be bad and right now I don't have structure, but hopefully soon I will. If I can't get in the morning workout, my day isn't as good as if I can!

Here is my plan:
Monday: Yoga/Pilates/Strength or Bike  - morning or use gym daycare
Tuesday: Run - morning
Wednesday: Swim/Strength or track workout and swim on Monday - morning or night track
Thursday: Run - morning
Friday: Swim/Strength - morning
Saturday: Long Run with group
Sunday:Yoga/Pilates/Strength or Bike - class at gym  off (good idea Kaz)
 
Something to that effect.  I'm going to join the running club - they have long runs on Saturdays and track work on Wednesdays which I will find a way to make because that sounds great! At least once a month I can do some speedwork! As far as diet:

Try not to eat mindlessly - don't wait till I'm starving to eat - be more mindful basically.

Yesterday was pancake Sunday - and I tried The Non Dairy Queen's waffle recipe.
This used peanut flour and I added a little more water since I made pancakes instead of waffles. Now I do want a waffle maker.  I'll get one of them soon!  The topping was coconut oil and amazing grass chocolate powder  - that combo is really delicious!
 

Update:
So far this week - Monday - my dad has one of those bikes w/ computer where you can see the course. I did a whopping 6 miles, it took me 30 minutes. I also did a Jillian kettleball workout on demand - that was great to change it up!! Today (tues) I got in a run in the morning - Kara slept till past 7! woohoo!

Getting fit, finding balance - where to go from here

I'm not sure what direction I want to go in now with training and running. My goals for 2011 are: spring or olympic distance triathlon with middle distance running (10 milers and halfs).  When I'm running more than 20 miles a week, I feel like there is little time for lifting and strength work since I try to swim 2-3 days a week as well. Where will I fit in the strength - and biking? That is my only uncertainty - the bike - for a triathlon.  I always had 30 miles in my head for my weekly mileage goal for running until I had to stop with Kara. Now I have had one 30 mile week since then - last week with the half. I can't decide if I should start building it up again or taking time to focus on other things so that I don't feel burnt out and that I have to make it to 30 miles.  I think the running group may help me to log more miles if I can ever make their training runs.

Alright, 2 months post baby and I'm struggling a bit with body image and I want to be back to my normal (pre-both babies) size and shape. I want my speed back too.  I'm not patient and it's starting to wear on me a bit. I go back and forth from having no time to think about it and days where I'm pretty bummed about it. I figure I need a new focus.  Since I didn't get back into shape or lose all my weight with Nick, maybe I need running to move down in the list and try other things to get my body back and get fit!?  I'm not sure that I love it when I have to fit in a run - it's more that I feel like I have to do it to burn off calories and keep in some kind of shape.  And I love how I feel when I'm done, but surely now when I'm starting out - I feel like I am forcing myself out there many days.  Lifting feels good - as does swimming.  But I feel I want to maintain some kind of running fitness so that I can race in the spring and get back to speed.

Food - I'm eating whole, natural foods. Maybe I am just eating too much of them. Too much fat from nuts? The only way I have successfully lost weight in the past was from drastically cutting calories.  It wasn't healthy and I won't do it again - but I'm tired of being in a place where I'm always trying to get back to where I was! And also, looking at my genetics.. I don't really stand a chance unless I work at it.  Not sure how to change my eating habits in order to help some weight loss to happen!

I I'd love to know how you balance everything out if you are not JUST running.

winner! CSN

Karen! selected by random.org. Please email me! tosha25italia at yahoo

Inspiring & POM Cranberry

This is inspiring - good luck to all of you Kona participants! I'm jealous and I want to be an ironwoman!!  I'm not going to lie, I thought he had boobs at first. I was confused - is it a man or woman? I think it's his fuel in there!





POM CRANBERRY

I had the opportunity to try POM Cranberry - it isn't in stores yet - fun! :)
My thoughts: It is refreshing! It is bittersweet - sweet at first but then bitter/tart is the aftertaste (just like cranberry juice). It is a nice twist of POM and Cranberry and full of antioxidants.  Just like any juice, it is high in calories and sugar, so I either water it down or drink in moderation.

Some items I picked up at Trader Joe's - btw, impossible to shop w/ 2 kids - they need car carts (I went alone and my dad watched the 2 nuggets).

Cranberry Apple Butter - looked fall like - maybe spread on bread (3rd ingredient is sugar though)
Peanut Flour - seen around the blogosphere and had to try this stuff out!
Peanut butter - only had no salt. Creamy!
Almond butter - also out of salt - creamy!  No time to make nut butters lately - haven't been to Costco to get the nuts!

How do you like your nut butter - creamy? chunky? salted? unsalted? almonds? peanuts? mixed?

Last day to enter CSN giveaway!

Pumpkin Cornbread

Just in time for fall - some pumpkin!
Using Polly's recipe here inspired by Heather, I made Pumpkin Cornbread. I tweaked the recipe a bit.

PUMPKIN CORNBREAD

1/2 c pumpkin
2 c cornmeal
2 c milk
3 T. chia or flax + 3/4 cup of water - let sit 5 min.
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp guar gum (tried it out since I didn't use an egg- not necessary, I don't think!)
1/4 c agave nectar

Mix all together, bake at 350 for 40 minutes!

Tasty!  The eggs would have made it rise more - check it out if you are into eggs. I'm not too into them.

What are you or your kids going to be for Halloween?
Nick is going to be Tigger and I'm looking for a small size pooh character costume for Kara - hard to find!

2 days post race - yesterday I felt pretty good and ran 6 miles. Monday I swam to loosen up and did yoga and today swam again. I feel good!  2 months + a week out - my weight is about 1 lb away from where I started when I got pregnant with Kara, but I still have about 10 lbs to lose to get to where I should be! I have not had the time to think about it AND have been downing too many nuts and peanut butter jars.  The peanut butter I posted about lasted about 3 days which is SICK!! It was sooo good.  I think if I can drop the 10 lbs and focus on some speed work to get back in shape, I can get back to my times from pre-Nick!

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the CSN Giveaway! Check it out. 

A former colleague, Bill, that retired the year that I went out on maternity started running when he retired, dropped weight, got in shape,  and ran the 1/2 last weekend  and he is training for the full marathon in November! I'm so impressed! He has also joined a running club and it sounds fantastic. I am thinking this might be a great thing for me and thinking about joining.  Do you run with a club? What has been your experience? I signed up for one when we moved back here years ago and never had the courage to show up for the first time so I never went to one run!

Rock & Roll Pics

Met Lizzie at the expo!

Pre-race - Art Museum w/ my sister

Ryan Hall, You are hot!

Elites pre-race

Finished - now get to deal w/ 2 kids for the afternoon. Real fun!

I'm sore today. I'm ready to get back in shape, but kind of just not ready to find the time to do it. Priorities - I have a real lack of free time right now and need something to work towards to get me back in shape, but I also need time to get back in shape. I'll aim for a spring tri, and maybe one small race this fall of less mileage.

rock and roll philly half

Finished the Philly Half Marathon today, woohoo! My time was my worst non-preggers time ever!

2:07:38. Pace: 9:45  

I felt...OUT OF SHAPE! But it was nice to be out there running and a nice day - just HOT. I like cool running weather.   Bill and my parents brought both kids down - mistake! Next race I do, kids can stay home with someone and I will enjoy it more post-race and not have to rush outta there, and ALSO, totally need a sitter the rest of the day to watch the kids. Was sooo exhausted, and you can't rest.  The goods:

• My sister ran with me from mile 5 to the end. 
• Thought the bands on the course were ok, but ipod was necessary.  
• Met Liz at the expo!
• Ryan Hall is hot!
• Thought I was going to die at mile 12. Couldn't sprint to the finish at mile 13.  Left it all out there on the course at least!
• Got a media pass to go to the VIP tent before/after - swwwweet! For examiner writing.
• Not signing up for another race till I'm in shape and rocking the training for it. 
• How did I run a marathon EVER?
• My crotch muscles are very sore
• Kara woke up at 3:30a the night before- I let her sleep too long through the expo the day before and she was up till 5:30a. So, my day started at 3:30am!
• Mile 11 or 12 provided Cytomax drink w/ ice in it. It was amazingly refreshing. I wanted a huge glass of it at that point.  I was probably dehydrated - I don't usually drink anything but water.
• Wore CEP compression socks and my legs felt GREAT the whole time. I have shin splints now, but I think they really helped!

I'll post some pics tomorrow!

Totally addictive!

I saw this at Wegmans today - we just got a Wegmans right around the corner and I haven't been to Whole Foods in MONTHS. It has everything, except 365 brand duplex cookies, which I LOVE.   So I found this peanut butter and I kid you not - I could eat the whole thing w/ a spoon.  It is really really good. The one thing I don't like about it is that you can actually taste the sugar crystals - like sand in there.  But it is ridiculously good. If you are trying to be good, do not buy it!!  I don't know how PB & Co keeps the calories the same for most of their products - especially with the added sugar! What is your favorite PB & Co flavor?

CSN giveaway and update

Have you checked out CSN stores yet? It is similar to Amazon with a numerous amount of products and over 200 stores. They have items such as dutch ovens, waffle makers, the one and only vitamix and much, much more.  

Would you like the opportunity to shop there with $60 in pocket?  CSN stores has offered a $60 gift card to one lucky reader to purchase goods of their choice!  To enter the giveaway, just tell me in a comment what you would purchase with the $60 after you have checked out the site. 


Winner will be selected at random - last day to enter will be September 23rd.


This week has been somewhat tough - Kara has been crying often and I'm not sure what is wrong. We go to the doctor tomorrow to see. I'm very exhausted and haven't been able to keep up with everything. Today I took the day off - normally a running day, but I'm feeling tired and decided it would be a good rest day. I have the half marathon on Sunday, and my legs could use the rest!  Little Kara turned 2 months yesterday.  I'm excited for Nick to come and cheer me on this weekend, it will be the first time he might actually be able to cheer for me and know what is going on :)

A day of clean eating

2 posts in one day? whoa. That's because I started the other post about 3 days ago... and finished it today!

I've been pretty motivated to eat well  - I just feel better when I do. I haven't been tracking calories or quantities, just eating the amount that I think will be filling enough to tide me over. My weakness has been peanut butter but with this hemp fudge I tried today, I think this will help with my addiction.

protein ice cream topped w/ hemp fudge, pb, coconut and maple syrup

Breakfast was oat bran w/ hemp fudge + Protein ice cream (1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 tsp xantham and guar gum, 16 ice cubes, 1 c almond/coconut milk vitamixed). It was a loaded breakfast.  Lunch was this salad  - peppers, zucchini, avocado, a few leftover walnuts, lentil walnut burgers (recipe below), tempeh and multigrain croutons w/ humnut (hummus, nutritional yeast and water on top).

Snack: more hemp fudge and half a luna bar (that might not be clean eating...)
Dinner: Clean Eating Pizza! I need to add in more fruit but all of this was good today!

 Earlier this week I tried out Angela's Vegan Lentil-Walnut Burgers. I did the vegan version with a flax egg, but would use one egg next time to help bind them better - they were crumbly for me. Either way, they were delicious though!  I forgot to take a picture but check out Angela's and try them!


Lentil-Walnut Burgers  
adapted from Oh She Glows and  Martha’s Great Food Fast Cookbook.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup lentils, picked over and rinsed, cooked
• 3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
  1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 egg

Directions: Cook lentils according to package directions - drain and rinse. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and cook at 350F for 10 minutes or until golden brown - cool. In a food processor, process everything except egg, oil and lentils until combined. Now add oil, egg and lentils and pulse to desired consistency. Shape into 4 large patties or a dozen small patties. Cook on the skillet with olive or coconut oil for 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown. These are delicious!

Clean Eating Pizza w/ half humnut 'cheese' and half mozzarella cheese and eggplant.

 I'm starting to get out of ideas for what Nick eats for dinner. He loved this pizza!  Alot of my dinners are thrown together last minute - veggie burgers and veggies. I don't want to give him the same thing so often, so what are some healthy meals that you serve and your kids love?

what's for breakfast?

 Here's my baby girl - doing decently with her sleeping. She has been making about 7 hour stretches.  I have her on a schedule of morning feed then get back onto a 10-1-4-7 and last feed of the night. If I feed her around 10, she can make it till around 5, or at 9 till around 4 or 4:30. It works out nicely if I feed her at 9 the nights before swimming, because then she's up around 4:30 and I can go to swimming! With Nick, I feel like it took me at least 4 months to make it back to practice so this has been nice for now. Hopefully soon she'll sleep from 9 to 7 and skip that 4:30 feeding! She's been smiling a while now, but I'd still say she's a pretty fussy baby.

In the morning when she is up and Nick is still asleep, I try to get a few things done. I've tried some recipes this week. This is adapted from the Clean Eating Cookbook:

1 c flaxseeds, ground
1 c oat bran
2 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c wheat germ
1 T baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 c applesauce
1.5 c almond or coconut milk
1/4 c water+ 1 T chia (let sit 5 min)
1 c dried cranberries/blueberries

Make chia egg (water + chia). Mix all flours together. Mix all wet ingredients. Add wet to dry just till mixed, do not overmix.  Bake in mini cups for about 15 minutes or regular cupcake molds for 20 minutes. Makes 24-36 mini muffins.

 

I also took TJ's pancake mix and added in some good things to it - I skipped the egg, used 1 c. almond or coconut milk w/ 2 c mix and 1 T flax or chia seed + 1/4 c water (let that sit to make the "egg") then added in coconut, blueberries and peanut butter. Yum!!

Another thing I've tried lately - love it when I find things I have in my pantry that I haven't used in a while and find a way to use them - Hemp Fudge?

2 T. TJs hemp protein w/1 T water and 1 tsp agave. This was delicious along w/ some coconut & oat bran (which was too dry, not enough water). Thanks for the inspiration Heather!

Running has been nice this week! I ran easy on Monday and Tuesday, yesterday I got in some speed intervals at the gym with the kids in the daycare there (wooo!)  I'm going to try to get in another 10 this weekend in preparation for the race next weekend! I was able to swim 2 mornings w/ the team so this week has been great. Now I have to find some time for abs and lifting to keep the strength work up.

time to make food

Just getting into some cooking (you can't really even call it that, but ok)...

Lentil Patties from Hangry Pants from a while ago!
1/2 cup oatmeal and 2 cups lentils + 1 egg and 2 T. hummus and 1 T. nutritional yeast + 1 T water
Very easy, a little dry, but tasty and good in a wrap or dipped with hummus



Multigrain Lentil Mashup
1 c lentils, 1 c brown rice, 1 c quinoa - 2 T butter/ olive oil




Happy 19 months to my Nick!

Kara sleeps the night! How to do it again...

Last night Kara slept through the night! From 10:30 to 6. It wasn't a typical night though - usually she eats around 6:30 or 7 then goes back to sleep and it is tough to get her up around 930/10 to feed her again. When I have been doing that, she wakes up every 3-4 hours in the night.  The nights I didn't wake her up she slept 5-6 hour stretches. On to last night - I fed her at 7 and she stayed awake and was very fussy around 9:30. I fed her at 9:30 but she was a mess and fussy and didn't fully eat.  I ended up rocking her and calming her and she went down around 10:30. She woke up probably 2 times in the night but went back to sleep on her own, then was up for the day at 6.  I've been following baby wise so for the most part she is on a 3 hour eating schedule all day - 7, 10, 1, 4, 7, 10. It has been iffy at night - sometimes the last feeding is 830, 9, 930.. and she was erratic waking up depending on the day.
So now, how do I do this again and keep it going?

10 miles + my favorite company

Ya for 10 miles today with a friend from work who is training for her first half marathon! We ran at Kelly Drive and did one loop and an out and back. It was a GORGEOUS day for running. I was not looking forward to it and Kara was up at 1 and 4 this morning (UGH) - I got up around 6:30 and my knees hurt - weird!  Bill watched the kids so I could go out and run. Thanks Bill!

We started running around 7:30 and I think we ran about 10 min miles. I think a gps type thing which breaks down your mile times would help me but I'm pretty low key right now and not even looking at my times. I have a garmin from 2004 and it stinks. I downloaded the droid app called RunKeeper but it kind of sucked (or I don't know how to use it). ANyone use an app for the droid that is good for running?  I was able to talk and run so I wasn't really pushing the pace AT ALL. I like to talk when I'm running through - it totally passes the time!  I think that I zapped all of my friend's energy though, oops! Do you like to talk when you are running? I think it's totally necessary!

I feel more confident now and excited to do the race. I wasn't at all before doing this run and now I already feel like I'm re-addicted. However, I want to get into the tris and give the running a little break after this race.

My favorite company 
What company has food for almost every need? CLIF does !
I had part of a clif z bar pre-run. While running, I had some clif shot bloks and after running I had a clif protein builder's bar. Later in the day I had a clif granola bar. If stranded on an island, and you could pick one company to give you an unlimited supply of food, what would be your pick? 
Mine would be CLIF! What a fun company and website. I feel like if I had the time and resources I would make their products for myself.


Here's what they have and my favorite flavors:

CLIF BAR: original - good for endurance, quick small meal or big snack on the go - chocolate pb
sugar is high though, and calories around 230-250
CLIF SHOT - the blocks and gel, shot roks - during the long run (though I do like GU better), the shot roks are interesting for post run (protein) - I have to be in the mood for them.
Clif Builder's - Protein bars - post run 20g protein!  Cookies and Cream
Clif Crunch - the granola bars - somewhat new - these are amazing  all of them! Great with yogurt.
Clif Mojo & Mojo dipped -  dessert in my view - pretzels and chocolate/sweet and salty but with protein! 
Clif C- like Lara bars but not as dense, smaller and totally delicious! A layer of nuts and a layer of fruit and counts as one fruit! A new addition to the collection.   only tried raspberry and apple - both :)
Clif Kid! LOVE LOVE LOVE these. I have been buying Z bars for a while and now Nick eats them too! They also have twisted fruit - love this for snacks for Nick.  Smores, Honey Graham, Chocolate Chip, Smores, any flavor twisted fruit!
Luna Bars - definitely a favorite for something to grab on the go - Smores
Luna Protein - wasn't a huge fan of these -prefer the luna bar for just one less g protein.

Have you tried the granola bars? Clif C?

Arnold Sandwich Thins; So Delicious Ice Cream Sandwiches

I've recently had the opportunity through food buzz to try Arnold's Sandwich thins - they are like a very thin roll, just like Thomas' Bagel Thins if you've tried them!   Just the right size and very tasty (the bagel thins too!)  Here's what I put on the Sandwich thin above:


Portabello Mushroom Sandwich - this is kind of rough amounts here!

Avocado - a few slices
Roasted Red Peppers - 1/4 c
Roasted Eggplant - 1/4 c
Olive Oil - 1 T
Breadcrumbs - 1/4 c
Fresh Parmesan Cheese - 2 T
Butter - 1 T

Process the peppers, eggplant and olive oil to a smooth consistency. Scrape out the mushroom and mix together the breadcrumbs, butter and cheese and place atop the mushroom. Cook at 400 for 15 minutes or until tender. Serve with pepper/eggplant and avocado.

Also, I saw So Delicious ice cream sandwiches at the store and picked them up. They live up to their name - so delicious!  :) the coconut taste is awesome, they are sweetened with agave, and they are little bites for 100 calories.

I'm starting to get into a routine with 2 kids. The last 2 days have been good and Kara seems to be doing a little bit better. I think bringing them to the gym daycare has been a super bonus!  Running is going ok. The half marathon is in just over 2 weeks and I haven't done more than 7 miles now at one time.  Going to attempt 10 this weekend, but it seems so long!! Motivation for long runs is not there anymore.