May 2012
33 posts
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Cooking with Chloe: Avocado Toast
I started a series called “Cooking with Chloe” as I cook through Chloe Coscarelli’s cookbook: I plan on cooking all 125 recipes and using some of them to enhance my meals.
Today’s recipe is Chloe’s Avocado Toast.
My goal is to cook her recipes while the ingredients are in season and since avocados are in season and plentiful right now, this delicious and simple...
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The Opposite of Loneliness
Marina Keegan was a 22-year-old activist/writer who was killed in a car accident after her graduation from Yale. I am horrified to have to type the words “22-year-old” and “killed” in the same sentence and my heart goes out to her family.
She was on my mind a lot today because I had a happy day and it was inspired by her piece, “The Opposite of...
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Summer Strawberry and Basil Smoothie
Farmer’s markets are rolling in ripe, juicy strawberries and my basil plants suddenly blossomed overnight and I decided to make this classic combination into a delicious smoothie.
A cup of almond milk (Unsweetened is my preference)
A cup of water
Several handfuls of fresh basil
2 tsp. of honey or sweetener of choice
*Blend the above ingredients first.
Add two cups (or more!) of...
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WOD: Back to Run, Back to Reality
A little Soul to Soul throwback for you!
I got a face full of bully tongue after workouts today.
I am back to running today with a hot 2.5 miler in 24 minutes.
I ran when it was 78-80 degrees and although I love this hot-as-heck, clothes sticking to your skin temperature, it’s still not something I’m used to when I run.
I was a hit at pacing too: 9:24 for the first mile and...
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Happy Tuesday!
Hello Chickadees!
I am in love with this creamy almond butter from Archer Farms, Target’s house brand.
For breakfast, I had a slice of Ezekiel sesame toast with a spoonful of almond butter and it tastes heavenly.
Archer Farms is the only brand of almond butter I will buy. Why?
Palm oil.
Apart from the fact that it’s an unhealthy oil, palm oil (click for a great article...
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WOD: Marathon Monday
My dental surgeon’s wife is a marathoner who has run the Boston Marathon fifteen times. So I’m obsessed with her. :D
She gave me three pieces of advice that I’m really paying attention to this time around for the Detroit Marathon:
1) Let other people pass you. “Don’t keep up with them because everyone going faster than me at the beginning, I was passing at the...
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Face Down, A** Up →
My first workout since the Fargo Marathon was a 30 minute session on our new spin bike.
Spin IS SOOOO FUN! You work up a sweat really fast and it challenges your balance.
Good Mother, it was tougher than I expected though.
I held position 2 (from the video) for most of the workout, returning to position 1 for a short breaks. I held a cadence of 50-60 RPM and I can’t wait to get...
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Summer Sunday
Happy Memorial Day weekend!
When I raced the Marine Corps Marathon, everything came together - handsome Marines, English Bulldogs, and military history.
I transcribed a history of the English Bulldogs and their “soldier boys” and it puts a smile on my face every time I look at my own little “devil dog.”
If you are obsessed with bulldogs and Marines, have a look. If...
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A New Smile
I took my lunchtime salad for yesterday for granted.
I can’t enjoy it’s beautiful deliciousness today because I got my fourth wisdom tooth pulled and as the surgeon described it - “this was a colossus!”
This smooth and cool frozen yogurt and an iced coffee (without a straw) was my first meal today and will probably be what I eat for the rest of the day.
I love...
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A Running Sabbatical
Nigel “makes” his bed by pawing at sheets or blankets before he plops down - somehow this afternoon he managed to wrap himself up into a bully burrito.
Some dogs ride skateboards and surfboard and rocking horses - my baby winks at you. :)
This ridiculous sweet pup. I will be joining Nigel in supreme laziness for the rest of the week while I take a one week sabbatical from...
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Sunny Bunny
Today couldn’t have been any prettier. Everything feels like a treat when it’s bathed in golden sunlight. :D
I went a little crazy this morning at breakfast - I didn’t feel like eating the usual meals and packed these half-pints of berries I got.
Yeah, I worked through them speedily. :)
Lunch was just a quick iced coffee and Kind Bar eaten on the go but dinner...
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Marathon Monday
“Occupy” Monday was spent working at home, healing up from the Fargo Marathon, and getting some important errands completed.
First up, we got vaccinations for our trip to Africa. Because of the best nurse ever, it was the first time I didn’t feel pain from needles. Oh happy day!
Then we stopped off at my favorite running store, Running Away Multisport, and got new shoes....
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Going Far in Fargo
So I finished the Fargo Marathon…with a P.R.
Fargo is different than other marathons I’ve run in that the chip was not on my bib but tied to my shoes.
Oh, my poor shoes.
Yes, I lost my shoes on the course.
Or more precisely, I threw them away.
I got a rock in my shoe at mile 17, and it cut my foot so badly that keeping the shoe on was agony.
So I tried to throw away just...
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Getting Ready for a Marathon
First, there’s the carbo-loading.
Getting my race prep pile ready and modelling my race day outfit.
Not being able to fall asleep from all the excitement and crashing…two hours before the race.
Waking up to marathon alarm - thank goodness, I cleverly placed it across the room.
Shocked as always that God created a 5am in the morning.
Getting my first shot of caffeine and...
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Breakfast Bites: Chocolate Oatmeal & Blueberry...
I love cupcake wrappers. I love oatmeal. I love blueberries. I love chocolate. And I love these breakfast muffins which brings it all together. :D
My breakfasts are smoothies, oatmeal, or dippy eggs - so I decided to shake things up with some Chocolate Oatmeal and Blueberry Muffins.
These muffins are super tasty and filling and a perfect post-run food!
I avoid muffins because they upset...
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Just Keep Swimming, Swimming
This is one of my favorite pictures from the Marine Corps Marathon.
It looks like a moment from a Broadway play - they are all arranged in triangle formation behind me and will break into song at any moment:
Do you hear the people sing, Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people, Who will not be slaves again! (JAZZ HANDS!)
Yeah, I sing Broadway songs when I run so this...
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Twigs and Sticks
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Today’s “Have a Good Day Morning” Breakfast Bento confirms what you knew: vegetarians eat sticks and twigs. :D
In the mini-box went 3/4 cups of Trader Joe’s Twigs, Sticks, and Clusters cereal - in the future I would add a sprinkle of cinnamon!
I used a preserve jar for the milk: half-nonfat and half unsweetened almond milk and shook it around to make sure it...
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"Have a Good Day" Breakfast Box
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Today is such a bright and sunny day that everyone seems to be in a bright and sunny mood. Walking down the street, everyone kept telling me to “have a good day!”
One of my favorite blogs is Vegan Lunch Box and I love how Jennifer McCann used bento boxes and tiffins to make creative, to-go meals - it inspired me to make a “Have a Good Day” Breakfast Box for...
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Happy Mother's Day!
This morning, I was treated to a surprise breakfast-in-bed for Mother’s Day for being an awesome dog mom. :)
I had dippy eggs and an Ezekiel muffin with berry preserves that I shared with John and sweet blueberries and raspberries…
…that I shared with my dog child.
******
According to John, Nigel was very helpful with the cooking. :)
We decided instead of sending...
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Everyday I'm Tapering
We are still a month away from the Farmer’s Markets opening and I’m getting impatient. We go through a few of these boxes everyday so I’m counting down the days.
My lunch this afternoon was something new - Nancy’s Cottage Cheese with fresh blueberries!
One of the best foods we ate on our trip to Russia last year, was tvarog - it has the texture of Greek yogurt...
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Cooking with Chloe: Ginger Nutmeg Spice Oatmeal...
Chloe Coscarelli is my favorite vegan chef and I’m excited about my personal project to cook through her book, Chloe’s Kitchen.
When Chloe appeared on Cupcake Wars, her pretty personality and her charming cupcakes were captivating - I was cheering when she won!
I’m starting a series called “Cooking with Chloe” so you can follow along as I cook through her...
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Stay a While, Crocodile
Here’s a little knowledge on this terrifying Tuesday: the first known crocodiles were 27 feet long and may have been able to swallow people whole.
That’s five of me, standing on top of each other, heading towards you. Menacingly. Nigel would not have survived.
Actually, crocodiles and Nigel have much in common: short splayed legs, a round, chubtacular belly, powerful jaws,...
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I'm Only Happy When It Rains
Not quite…bring on the blistering heat of summer please!
Breakfast started with half an Ezekiel English muffin with raspberry preserves. English muffins seem overrated but the ones by Ezekiel have a very nice and nutty texture.
I paired my muffin with a Chobani blueberry Greek yogurt and a cup of coffee.
My morning snack tableau looks to be Nigel’s very first Twilight cover.
...
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Cinco De Miler Race, a new 5K PR + Churros are...
{We don’t have pictures from this race - this was an accurate representation of how I acted after I crossed the finish line. I love you Kelly Kapowski!}
The Cinco De Miler is the only five mile race in Chicago (the Shamrock Shuffle is 4.97 miles) and this was the first year we got to run it. Like the Shuffle, and the Hot Chocolate, this will definitely be an annual favorite.
I am...
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Happy Cinco De Mayo: Portabella Guacamole with...
In honor of Cinco De Mayo, I decided to make a fun new guacamole.
{Recipe below the fold!}
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A lot of people avoid avocados because of the high fat and calorie content but avocados contain good fats which are useful for shiny hair and skin.
In this recipe, the portabella mushrooms substantially increased the volume of the dip - which means a little bit of this dip went a long way....
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Beastie Pup, Beastie Run
{No Sleep till Brooklyn + RIP Adam Yauch}
This Friday had LAZY written all over it. When I left the house in the morning, Nigel had plunked down after breakfast.
Hours later, I found him right where I left him.
I came home, downed some coffee, and went to finish my workouts so I could have an awesome Friday night out.
WOD:
C1.5 Hot Yoga - it felt so good taking the beginner level...
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Runnings and Doings the Yoga
There are beautiful thunderstorms and rain outside and I love running in a storm. Feeling the raindrops on your body when you run is so freeing.
I especially love those moments when you come in after a wet run you get that immediate chill followed by a hot shower.
And yes, I love cuddling with Nigel after an evening run and yes, he is not excited about it. I get pretty jealous that...
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I Make My Own Sunshine
My breakfast smoothie was perfect for a hot day! Make your own frozen blueberries and strawberries, Fage Greek yogurt, and almond milk.
Along with my smoothie, I give you this adorable song which will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
******
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Meals 'n Miles
It’s 72 degrees in Chicago. FINALLY.
Nigel took it all in stride but anything above 65 is not good for bullies or any smoosh-faced dogs.
I hear ya, big guy. My first workout today was a 5.25 mile run in 51 minutes and it was hot.
My compression gear which keeps me nice and toasty in 40 degree runs was not fun today so it’s worrying me as I plan on wearing it during the Fargo...
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Creating an at Home Yoga Practice with Yoga Videos
Tuesday night’s workout was a 45 minute yoga video called “Yoga for Strength.”
I get messages about how yoga classes are not affordable for some of my readers and I am sensitive to that plight.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, creating an at home yoga practice is the alternative - but there are some challenges.
{Yoga at home poses many challenges....
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Hello May!
I know May’s going to be good. Check out my May flowers - this plant is bursting with three flowers and several buds and it started out as a shriveled up little guy. I can’t believe I’m going to have to transplant it soon - potted plant win!
May also begins with an exciting purchase! These are my first pair of hiking boots! :) In less than 50 days, John and I will be...
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On My Nightstand: Year of Wonders
One of my interesting reads from April was Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. The history of the black plague captured my imagination in school when I read In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World it Made and I’m obsessed with finding great historical fiction that deals with the plague.
The book is based on the true story of Eyam, a village in the mountains of...
April 2012
34 posts
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Workouts + Monday Miscellany
I think my Nigel Bear is perfect. Well, that would be a roll of shredded toilet paper.
Nigel loves the cardboard tube and he has figured out he can get to them all by himself. :)
******
We had a full weekend - it started with waking up at 5 am so we catch our Friday flight for a Friday wedding - yes, young ones, my generation thinks Friday weddings are acceptable.
We came back Saturday...
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Blue Crush
We traveled to New Jersey for a weekend wedding for John’s childhood friend, Praveen and his new wife Kristin, and it was a lovely and elegant affair.
Since it was near the water, I wanted a blue dress. John found this dress when I sent him a few others to look at and he said that it was dramatic and he would love to see this deep blue colour on me. I love it!
Some weddings just...
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Bear Wants More
I decided to switch things up this morning with some cold oats - unsweetened almond milk with oatmeal soaked for about fifteen minutes.
A teaspoon of brown sugar blend and I was in cold and creamy heaven.
Just like darling Bear, I wanted more! So I also had a sidecar of blackberries. :)
I met John downtown for lunch and to get our passport photos taken for our Africa trip!
I enjoyed...
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WOD + WOW: 5K P.B. & Our African Adventure Begins!
Today was a intervals day and I ran a 3.3 miles in 26:35 minutes!
My 3.11 mile time (5K) was 24:56!!
I want to thank the Academy, G-d, John, and my mom.
Not really, I want to thank carbs. Pure, unadulterated carbs.
It was tough and this is what I looked like after. :) In race conditions, I am hoping this will translate to a 27-28 minute 5K soon!
With a little over three weeks until the...
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Cuties!
Started the day with two of these cuties - so sweet and small.
And the usual dippy egg with tons of black pepper!
I decided to work out through lunch (my run) and powered with dates and coffee - don’t they look like giant raisins?
I ended up meeting this cutie for dinner because John’s been working late and will be doing so for the next few weeks.
My...
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WOD: I Ain't 2 Proud 2 Rest!
{Nigel has no problem with rest days!}
After my second 20 miler for marathon training last week, I took it light. I was injury free but my right hip+knee felt funny.
Sadly, it was from the running higher mileage or the speed work. It was from my stupid wall-jumping around mile 15 and landing on my ankles hard. Why would I do something so stupid?
So this is what went down last week:
...
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What Sets Your Monday off on the Right Foot?
I started my Monday right - dippy egg, wheat thin, and spinach with pepper flakes.
Lunch included an egg-shaped cookie which was good but not as yummy as this…
Gigantic, shiny, organic berries are almost here!
I always come home to find John and Nigel with berry-stained lips and several empty berry pint holders around them.
Today, I got to the strawberry pints first - how do...
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Every Taste Brings Summer Closer
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Sunday Picnic Dinner
This was a very fun weekend. On Friday, John cooked date-night dinner and we watched Iron Lady, which was a great movie.
On Saturday night, we went out with another couple John and Andrea, to our fave spot Mirai Sushi! Since my John had his long run earlier that day and we were with a non-vegetarian couple, there was some serious fish-eating going on. (Too dark for pictures but you know I...
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What Do You Get When You Fall in Love
John made a Friday date night dinner that was scrumptious - I went back for many servings. :)
The dish contained bow-tie (Farfalle) pasta, roasted campari tomatoes, roasted baby eggplant, artichokes, slivers of caramelized red onion, spices (sea salt, black pepper, red pepper, and fresh basil) lots of garlic slivers and a dusting of vegetarian Parmesan.
Yum! :)
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Your Breath is Your Guide and Compass
Workout of the Day: C2 Hot Yoga, where I got a little deeper into compass pose. My extended eg is a bit straighter and my head is closer to my shin!
I haven’t been posting my food as much because I’ve been eating the same things - dippy eggs, salads, tofu and roasted veggies for dinner (and many cups of coffee!). :)
I made these perfect green beans for last night’s dinner...
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Nigel is Proud of his Face
To start your afternoon on the right foot, I provide a picture of Nigel preening.
When we go on vacation, our sweet-as-honey pet sitter sends photos of Nigel so I don’t miss him so much. This gem was from our New Orleans trip. :)
Breakfast noms! And I packed another one for lunch but I don’t know if it will make it till then. :)
Did you know grapefruit can be stored in the...
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My Second 20 Mile Long Run!
I completed my second 20 mile long run yesterday, finishing in 3:13:59!!
I ran it as fast as I could, doing intervals the entire time and finished it more than six minutes faster than my last 20 miler (3:21)!
Mile 1 in 8:37 + Mile 2 in 9:18
I started off way too fast and ran a two miler in 18:44. I’m happy to see the faster numbers but I definitely have to remember, “Marathon...
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Chilly Day, Warm Tummy
{Plate One, Roasted baby portabellas with red onion, sea salt, and cayenne pepper; Plate Two, Baby spinach leaves, Campari tomatoes, miniature bell-peppers, two tablespoons of olive muffaletta from That Pickle Guy, no dressing.}
Workout of the Day: Hot Power Fusion Yoga class, 60 minutes.
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The Happiest Hens in the World
Breakfast: Dippy egg from Vital Farms served on an whole wheat thin with wilted spinach and sea salt!
Small family farms, pasture raising, a better egg, because we need one. These eggs cost a bit more but they also taste better with fluffier egg whites and a brighter yellow yolk.
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Weekend Workout of the Day
Did you know that Lululemon stores allow canine visitors? Nigel Bear was a happy camper getting lots of belly rubs from the store girls and shoppers.
This Lulu trip wasn’t for me - it was for John who needed some running shorts.
In true Lulu addict fashion, I convinced him to try on and get two - the Core Short and the Run Response Short. He loves both and I’m happy he...
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Fuel for Long Runs!
{Nigel likes to fuel for rest days and long runs - cover all his bases.}
Hey girl! I don’t know if you’ve answered this somewhere, but my nutritionist told me to try some energy gels/bars/drinks during my long runs this week so I know what I like come race day. Swedish fish is a new one to me! Do you have any suggestions? I know it’s different for each person but I don’t...