Where's the Beach?

Happy Hump Day. Since it's already Wednesday, guess it'd be a good time to do a quick weekend recap, that included an accidental 19-mile run and a 3rd Thanksgiving meal. Long Run Saturday morning Amy agreed to run with me for what was a planned 18-mile run. I was going to head out and get in some miles before she arrived then run 10 together, then finish out solo. I got in 5 miles exactly, then we set out on a meandering route around the neighborhood. The temperatures were suddenly back into the 60s with high humidity and even higher winds. Thankfully it was cloudy. The positives were that we were most certainly not freezing and the wind did help dry us off. Amy had said 10 miles, but then decided she could do another mile with me. We made another loop before getting back to my house. Her watch said 11 miles on the dot, mine was behind showing 15.85 miles. For some reason, I got it stuck in my head that I was at mile 15 and needed 3 more - even said that out loud a ...

It's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away. While Thanksgiving is a day about giving thanks, it also tends to be a holiday all about indulging. Now, I'm not going to sit here and say, don't touch that pie and skip the rolls or avoid the fried turkey, but I am going to share a few tips to get you through the holiday without the post-feast guilt. Tips for a Guiltless Thanksgiving  Break fast. Don't skip breakfast or even your typical mid-morning snack trying to bank some calories. That'll only leave you hungry and more likely to mindlessly fill your plate. Tackle a race.  Participate in a Turkey Trot fun run/walk. It doesn't have to be a speedy 5K, it can be a family, fun event. Be active. Go for a walk at some point during the day with family or friends. It's a great way to visit and catch up. Skip "any day" foods. If your Aunt Sue makes some amazingly scrumptious dish this one and only time of the year, ...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving (if you're in the US) and a wonderful weekend. Thursday morning, Jason and I decided to do a last minute Turkey Trot - the GO!BBLER Turkey Trot . This is a completely unofficial, fun run/walk that's put on by my favorite, local running store, GO! Running . I've always avoided this run because of the course. They have 3 different distances, 2 of which hit up trails. I've never run trails. I'm a klutz. So it's always intimated me. This year, Amy and her boyfriend were running it. And, for me, it's been a year of new things. Like actually recovering from a blood clot, doing a 10K, major PRs. So, I thought I would go out on a limb and try this one out. There are no race fees. You are simply asked to bring canned goods to donate. So it's for a good cause as well. It was a super chilly morning with temps hovering in the low 20s, but the sun was out thankfully. The number of participants was shocking to me - esti...

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is already Thanksgiving. That means Christmas is just around the corner. Wasn't it just summer? It seems that Thanksgiving has become more about the food than the actual giving of thanks. I can understand the food part to an extent. It's tradition. It's what we grew up having each holiday. It's the time when families actually take the time to gather around a table, together. But, it shouldn't be a total free-for-all to eat like it's our last meal. When did a holiday become a free pass for all things unhealthy? Don't get me wrong, I'll have my dad's manicotti or a holiday cookie in absolute moderation. But the rest of my meals for the day are very typical of how I eat day-to-day. My tummy usually thanks me too. I mean, admit it. How many times have you over done it and your tummy rumbles around the rest of the day? Yep, not fun. Don't worry, I'm not going to preach about not gorging ourselves on ...

TDay Recap Thanksgiving day started off by prepping food: caramelizing onions, chopping up bell peppers and onions, blanching green beans, and roasting butternut squash. After doing all of that, Jason and I set out for a run. The plan was 6-7 miles. Jason dropped off at 6 and I finished up another mile for 7. Then we had to quickly get cleaned up and on the road. At least our families all are all in the same city - an hour away. It definitely makes it convenient but also hectic sometimes. My mom's husband had to work so rather than her be alone, my sister, mom and I had a light lunch at my sister's house. I found a recipe on Pinterest that I thought would be great - Penne with Butternut Squash and Kale . Mom brought the kale from her garden, my sister provided the GF pasta, and I made the butternut squash and caramelized onions. I tried to stick to the recipe but made a few changes like adding in chickpeas for protein and basil. I also sprinkled in some locally made goats ...

Finally, as promised, here is my vegan Thanksgiving menu (well, vegan minus the turkey mom brought of course). Smashed Sweet Potatoes Wild Mushroom Green Bean Casserole Pumpkin Risotto Apricot Glazed Brussels Sprouts Homemade rolls (wheat and gluten-free) Turkey with dressing (brought by my mom) Faux chicken with chipotle cranberry relish for myself Vegan Gravy (courtesy of Angela at Oh She Glows ) Gluten-free Pumpkin Roulade (from local bakery) I started off Friday morning around 8 am prepping some of the food to make it easier to put together when it came time to eat. Onion rings smell really odd at 8 am I might add. I steamed the sweet potatoes and sat those aside. I knew I could reheat them in the microwave and smash them at the last minute. I reconstituted the mushrooms and put together the green bean casserole ahead of time, leaving the onion rings off of course. I also made the gravy as well so that I could put away all small kitchen appliances. I really was trying...

Today I decided to take as a rest day. I didn't want to feel rushed trying to get in a workout before we had to head out of town (our hometown an hour away). At least that made the morning relaxing. Jason finished cutting up the green beans, onions, and red bell peppers for a dish for my dad's house. Then we packed up the rolls I had also made and headed out. First stop was Jason's parents' house for their family meal. We got there a little early so we could visit before having to eat then rush out. I didn't eat there, but Jason had a plate. He played a little baseball with the younger kids for a short bit before we had to hit the road to head to my dad's house. They used to live within 5 minutes of one another. Now dad lives across town so it was a 30 minute drive. We got there a little bit early - actually beat my sister there for a change. Jason was a trooper and played with my niece and nephew for a short bit. The weather sucked - supposed to have been i...

Friday Finds I must recap my Hobby Lobby purchase yesterday for my Thanksgiving tablescape. As I mentioned , I love tablescapes. Since I found out I family was actually coming over for Thanksgiving dinner, not only have I been going over recipe ideas, but also table decoration ideas. After a 40-minute bumper-to-bumper, 5 mile drive to Hobby Lobby, I did actually score this awesome wreath for 80% off (originally $70, got for $14). I don't really want the wreath so much as the accessories on the wreath, which easily would have been more than $15 on their own. Is it terrible to take the wreath apart? Please say no, because that's the plan. I have the napkins, place mats, and candle holders. So I'm thinking it all goes well together. Now to implement ;-) And I'm still not set on the menu yet, but here are some ideas as some of you guys sounded interested: Smashed sweet potatoes topped with roasted walnuts (maybe spiced) Pumpkin risotto topped with wild mushrooms...

Vegetarian Thanksgiving  So I finally got around to making our vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving meal last night. I was so looking forward to the menu. We had talked about it all week and finally agreed upon something we both were excited to try: Apple and Kabocha Kale  Quorn Turk'y Roast with homemade Chipotle Cranberry Relish Honey Mustard Roasted New Potatoes Homemade wheat rolls Apple and Kabocha Kale Ingredients: 1/4 cup red quinoa 3/4 cup water 1 small bunch kale, cleaned, rough chop 1/2 honeycrisp apple 1/2 small white onion, thinly sliced 1/2 kabocha squash, cubed and roasted* OJ To taste: salt, pepper, agave nectar Directions: In saucepan, bring water and quinoa to boil then lower to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 minutes. In large skillet, saute onions for approximately 3 minutes. Add in kale and orange juice and allow the kale to begin to cook down. Add in apples, quinoa, and seasonings and continue to cook until kale is soft (or to desired textu...

This morning I woke up just a little after 7 and realized that it wasn't raining out (yet). Even better, it was 70 degrees. Oh yes, this meant I was going to get to run today after all. I waited for Jason to get up and we headed out around 8:45. It was a bit windy out, but no rain. I was happy that I didn't have to bundle up as well. Right at 2 miles into the run (just as we passed our house), it started to sprinkle a bit and Jason had to make a pit stop. I opted to keep running. The rain actually felt pretty good I learned this summer that it can be fun running in the rain. The rain would stop and start back up, but it was nothing to deterring, so I decided to take a turn heading one route that would put my mileage close to 6. I actually saw 3 other groups of people walking or running so I didn't feel too terribly nuts for being out in the rain. But then the sky fell out when I was about a mile from the house. Oh yes, downpour to the point where I could barely see. I too...

Rest Day and Baking Today is my rest day for the week. It's been weird weather all day. It started out with an incredibly dense fog that made if it feel chilly and damp. Then as the cold front started pushing to the warm front, the wind kicked into high gear. It's been 77 degrees, windy as hell, humid, rain then sun then showers, then sun and more wind. Trust me, this was not a run-inviting kind of day. Glad I went ahead and did legs yesterday. I wasn't tempted to run in the least today. It really worked out well again for me, this being my rest day. My boss let me leave early today (thank you Kelly). This allowed me extra time for errands. I have been putting off Target for a while now, so that was my first stop. Jason was nice enough to hit Whole Foods during his lunch break so I snuck over to DSW to try and use a $5 coupon for my bday. I did find some cute black booties, but am still a little unsure of them. I love how they look on other people though... Anyway, I u...

Well, I made it through another Thanksgiving madness. I know the main focus of the holiday is supposed to be giving thanks. However, it seems to have become a holiday focused on devouring a bird and eating tons of casseroles and other unhealthy foods that you would normally never eat at any other time of the year. Somehow the holiday has gotten off track and everyone is so focused on "their" holiday traditions, "their" holiday meals. People think they HAVE to have this casserole or that casserole or the holiday is a bust. What happened to just getting together with family and friends and enjoying the fact that you are together? As a vegetarian, Thanksgiving has become one of my least favorite holidays simply because the focus is on the consumption of a bird and all sides, for whatever reason, seem to require the addition of either meat, butter, or some other unhealthy component somehow justified because it's a holiday. Of course, I am being ever so slightly hy...