Start it right

 

Morning! I’m feeling particularly accomplished this morning.

I had three boot campers with smiles (or something like that) on their faces this morning, including Bee whose blog, Bee Goes Bananas, I’m sure you’d love if you aren’t already a reader!

After bootcamp, I decided to go for a morning run. It’s not uber hot out and I was feeling energized and pumped up (I guess my girls’ awesomeness rubbed off on me), but I was also feeling hungry so I had a quick energy gel and then hit the trails.

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…and then the trails hit me.

It’s not as bad as that looks but I was dirty. I hustled home and to prove that there might have been blood and sweat but not tears, I snapped a photo. Girls don’t sweat, they glisten…remember?

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If this isn’t a good look for me, I’m so shit out of luck because I  glisten like a pig every time I work out! I think this morning I probably did about 5 or 6 miles (we ran in our bootcamp workout–the one I posted yesterday) but I’m not sure since my garmin was dead and I frankly don’t care.

I refuelled with last night’s yogurt plus some kamut puffs and a banana. It was yummy, but it got yummier when I threw in some almonds and some chocolate soy milk. Oh hey, creating it as you go, you’re delicious!  The hungries I felt after my run are just proof that cardio = working up an appetite. All of a sudden it’s seeming kind of weird that people start working out and training for marathons and triathlons and all that to LOSE weight. I eat MORE when I train — not only physically do I need the extra calories but I definitely justify some things (i.e. the chocolate in this break) based on the workouts I do. Hmmmm…thoughts?! I think it was in Gary Taubes’ book that I read something about this whole phenomena…about how silly it is that we take up endless endurance exercise to lose weight when people also work out in this way in order to “work up an appetite” for instance if they have a big dinner to look forward to. Very interesting. Still, I loved my run this morning, I like riding my bike, and I enjoy swimming…so since that’s not my motivation I’m not crazy, right? :)

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Now it’s time for me to get organized and get down to business on my writing! I promise myself not to blog ALL DAY LONG but that doesn’t mean I won’t probably get distracted reading blogs and all that fun stuff…oh well! I have this spare time, I might as well enjoy it. Starbucks here I come. :) After my life coaching session, I’m going to hit up a yoga class since my workouts are done for the day. My main goal: stay upright, since I have a knack for falling over these days!

Have you ever bailed on a trail run? Did anyone see? No one was around when I fell so I had to laugh at myself instead of having the pleasure of providing entertainment for someone else!
What do you do with free time? 

 

Make like Martha

As promised, I’ve got recipes to share!

First off, a take on Jennifer’s Crispy Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, which I made before. They came out oh so crumbly before, but this time appear to be holding together better, which is good since I made them as a birthday cake stand in for my sister (who is in field season and needs portable energy this time of year!).

Cheryl’s chocolately cranberry instead of cake bars

 

Ingredients:
3 c. kamut puffs
1 c. oats
dash cinnamon
1 c. cranberries
1/4 c. cashews (chopped)
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. cocoa

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine kamut puffs, oats, cinnamon, cranberries, and cashews. Set aside.
Combine honey, brown sugar, and peanut butter in a saucepan. Heat til melted over medium heat.
Add cocoa and stir til combined.
Add heated mixture to bowl, stirring mixture ’til cereal is coated.
Spread and press into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
Cool in refrigerator before cutting into bars.

And to channel Martha you must be really epic.

And epic I was because I aced my first attempt at fudge (for Mother’s Day so you know it was made with love!). All while hustling against the clock to get to yoga on time today. Though it was based on a really simple recipe…I hope my mother approves. :)

Fudge you can’t fudge up

 Ingredients:
1 can sweetened, condensed milk3 c. chocolate chips (semisweet)
dash salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. crushed walnuts

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat condensed milk, chocolate chips and salt over medium heat, stirring until smooth (it will be thick but should not be lumpy).
Stir in vanilla and walnuts.
Press into a greased square pan.
Cool in refrigerator before cutting.

 And yum. Enjoy!