Stop Teasing me Sunshine!

I upload a lot of pictures. I didn't realize how many until yesterday when I hit my free limit! So you better believe that from now on my posts will ALWAYS have photos because I'm paying $5 a year for more storage space! Although I think it is sort of ridiculous I have fun going back through and looking at photos and my journaling thoughts.... which is something else I did yesterday. 

My cousin Rebecca gave me the idea that I should link back to my book recommendations from my book list! Well it would have been really difficult to go back and do it on the main screen, so instead I created a new page up at the top where you can click on a book title and see what I thought about it in my original post. A found a few that aren't working right now, but I think most of them are (still a work in progress!).

It was really fun to go through almost all of my posts from last year. It made me really miss how into reading I was. It also made me realize that I haven't reviewed all the books that I've read yet! Somehow I just skipped the last few from 2010 and even a few from this year! I plan to go back and fix that! It is nice for me to be able to go back and see what I thought.

I had a great PT appointment today. I've been having a lot of pain in my arches the past few days. Almost like a charlie horse, but not quite. So he fitted me for a pair of insoles to test out. If they work then I may get the expensive orthotics (I'm on my parent's health insurance until February and they will pay for 90%). He also used an infrared light therapy on my leg. Tomorrow I run in the orthotics... wish me luck!

I'm trying to figure out ways to stay get full in the morning.
So I tried whisking in an egg into my oats this morning!
The eggy oats
1/4 C Rolled Oats
1/4 C H20
1/4 C Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 T Chia
1 Farmer's Market Egg added at the end!

My most royal linen... a week late.
 Topped with a half a sliced banana, homemade granola and peanuts.
This was a smaller portion than I usually make, but kept me pretty full.

Brew Master Bruce!
My Dad is brewing up some Hefeweizen for my nephew's first birthday in June!

I made the guys a lunch of ABBJ (Almond Butter, Banana and Jelly!)
And snacked on a half a sandwich for my lunch!

When I work in the afternoon my entire routine is a mishmash so I ate dinner really late!
Kind of a weird creation...
I whisked an egg and poured it into the pan and let it set like an omelet.
When it was almost set I placed a corn tortilla on top.
Then Flipped and cooked for a few more minutes.
Then filled it like a taco!
Turned out pretty good!

I walked to work today because the weather was so great!
I'm really missing summer right now.
I usually enjoy every season, but I am literally craving summer.
I'm sick of being teased!

Racing the Rain.

Today was great. A day of random getting things done. I needed to hit reset... you know do laundry, read, and bake... the usual. I like days like today where I have very little of a schedule. The only thing I HAD to do was go to the dentist... oh fun. It actually went a lot better than I anticipated. Just a quick cleaning, and she barely yelled at me for not flossing regularly! Maybe that was because I didn't try to lie about it this time around.

It doesn't matter what time I go to sleep... I always wake up at 6 am!
Classic rolled oats with homemade granola on top!

After riding the exercise bake I had a snack!
Have I told you about these bars?!
It is called a You Bar.
Basically you go in and pick all of the ingredients for your granola bar  (you can see the nutritional info as you pick everything out). Then you name it and they ship you a box! Custom made bars!
I would never have bought them if they hadn't had a groupon! They were like half off, but still after shipping over $20 bucks! Which is ridiculous! But a fun one time thing. I got them before lent, but because I had chosen chocolate chips I've had to wait to enjoy!

Super snacky.... While my brother mowed my lawn! I received a coupon for 5 free lawn mowings for Christmas! He didn't know what he was getting himself into! Made my day!

Since I was already on Bainbridge Island, after my dentist appointment I  walked around downtown Winslow.
They are doing construction on the road so it was completely torn up! I may have been one of about 10 people walking around at all! I spent some quality time in the bookstore! It has been far too long. I've felt very disconnected from the reading world lately... something I need to put more effort in to.
For lunch I stopped at this little hut on the corner that sells all vegetarian Vietnamese food! Not just tofu, but all sorts of other fo-meat entrees! I can't believe I worked in Winslow for a year and never tried this place out! The fake meat was almost too real! 

I decided to take my lunch away from the construction zone and found a park!
When I had left my house the clouds were heading this way! By the time I got back into my car the drizzling had resumed!
I also read a book today! From beginning to end! Just like the old days!

When I got home I had an urge to bake!
How about some vegan/gluten free/low sugar chocolate chip oat cookies...

Instead of an egg... a Flax egg!
1 T ground flax with 3 T hot water let it sit for 5 minutes!

Guess I needed some extra sugar...

Since These have everything I love and nothing all at the same time...
Maybe I'll call them free cookies? 

Bite sized deliciousness!

Delicious Free-Cookies1 1/2 C Rolled oats
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 Dark chocolate chips
1/3 C Sliced almonds
1/4 C Sugar
1/4 C Brown Sugar
2 T Earth's Balance Vegan Butter
1/3 C Homemade almond butter
1 flax egg

Mix everything together!
They don't really stick together... like hardly at all..
So I got a little creative and spooned some into my mini cupcake pan!
So perfect! The pieces were perfectly crispy and wonderful!
Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes.
I did half as the mini cupcake version and half spread flat on a cookie sheet, these would make a good bar... but crumbly! I think you could ever go for a bit less sugar on these.
Maybe a bit of GF flour would make everything stick together? I enjoyed the texture sooo much I wouldn't change much! A warning though... they are addictive!

World History.

On Sunday night I went to bed soooo early that I didn't hear the news that Bin Laden had been killed until I woke up Monday morning. This blog isn't a place where I share my political opinions or ideas, but I will say that I am thankful that there is one less terrible person in this world. I will also say that I don't think celebrating in the streets in necessarily the right response. I think that right now we should be remembering those that were lost in the terrorist attacks and also thanking the heros in the military, fire and police departments for keeping us safe.  

Raindrops not sweat!

 I've decided from now on I have to listen to my body... my mind may be up for a run but my legs may not be. Monday morning everything seemed to be clicking. When I left my house it was barely drizzling... about half way through I was caught in a torrential downpour! I really don't mind running in the rain. I get a lot of people giving me sad eyes... but it is actually sort of refreshing when the temp is above 50 degrees!
I went just about 2.5 miles. Then I went to my PT appointment. We talked about my awful week and he recommended giving my body more time to heal in between runs... no more back-to-back days for me.

I put a spin on breakfast this morning! Steel cut oats! I liked the texture, but they take twice as long as regular rolled oats! I packed on top 4 different kinds of nuts! Protein packing! 

Lunch was quite the mishmash!
Left over edamame, farmer's market spinach salad, tempeh sandwich with half an apple on the side!
I'm really trying hard to like tempeh, its such a different taste and texture mix....
But it is better for you than tofu and it is super packed with protein.

The naturopath told me to eat granola instead of puffed cereal so I'm experimenting with making my own! 

Melting down that coconut oil!

Crunchy Savory Granola
(adapted from Kath's recipe)
1 1/12 C Rolled Oats
1/2 C Raw Buckwheat
1/4 C Oat Groats
1/4 C Sliced Almonds
1/2 C Sunflower Seeds
3/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 C Honey
1/8 C Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/8 C Coconut

Mix everything together but the coconut in a big bowl and pour into a square baking dish.
 (I used an 8X8)
Put into the oven at 325* for 1 hr. mixing every 20-30 minutes.
Remove from oven when everything looks good and baked and smells delicious!
Mix in the Coconut. (This would also be the time to add any dried fruit you want).
Let cool completely and stir a few times before putting it into a container!

Yum!

Veggie Drawer Frittatta for dinner!

And my attempt at tempeh bacon!
Sliced tempeh as thinly as possible.
Mix together
1/2 T agave
1/2 T Soy sauce
Salt and Pepper
Garlic
Smokey spice of your choice... Paprika
Pepper flakes
Marinate tempeh in mix
Put on skillet set to medium
Pour remaining marinade on top and cook until hot.
A little too soy saucy for me, but decent. I'm still not a huge fan on the tempeh texture. 

I made tonight's version with duck eggs and unsweetened almond milk!
4 Whole and 3 whites.
Made for a very dense frittata, but delicious!

I also have discovered that I really enjoy millet (GF) english muffins!

After dinner my Mom and I finally watched the Royal Wedding! So much fun! I love all of the pageantry. They looked like such a loving and happy couple. And her dress was gorgeous. It was also neat to hear all of the commentary. I really don't know much about how the monarchy works... or British history at all.

High Gear.

Good morning sunshine! Last night I went to sleep when it was still light out!
It only made waking up at 5 a little easier...
Breakfast this morning was granola with a tiny banana and chia seeds on top.

Tofu for lunch!
If you like tofu, baking a bunch once a week to save for lunches is the way to go.
All that protein really fills you up.

I'm addicted to almond butter. I need a support group.

Bike ride with my Dad!
Does anybody look good in a helmet?

The ride was a lot more mountainy that I was looking for. I like a good workout, I just don't like having to jump over stumps and logs while while navigating through narrow trees! I think I like road biking more.

We spent an hour out riding, and it was a great workout. Lots of hills.
This trail would be awesome for a run.
I obviously don't ride my bike enough though,.I kept slipping into higher gears and my brakes were screeching like banshee. Not so good when we got to the part of the trail that was next to the golf course... hope nobody was putting...  

After our ride, Dad and I stopped in to the new brewery in town!
I didn't even know it existed!

Always fun to support local... especially when it comes to beer!

Dinner @ Joe and Carly's!
Taco Night!
As you can probably tell.... Tacos are a family favorite!

And now I'm exhausted! I loved the sunshine and didn't feel like I got to enjoy enough of it today! Please come back! Tomorrow A.M. I go into the physical therapist for an evaluation.... 

Highs and lows.

Sugar high. Runners High. Sugar low. Runners low.

That just about describes the past week for me. Tuesday I had a great (although slow) 4.5 mile run. By Friday all I could manage was a 2 mile walk.... my calves hurt so bad. I can't begin to describe how emotional training for this half-marathon has been. When I have a great pain-free run I feel like I'm on top of the world, but after a hobbling run attempt like yesterday I'm below low. My feelings are such a mix of being stressed, nervous, anxious and exhausted. But the biggest emotion is frustration. I have done everything... EVERYTHING in my power to get better and I am so angry that I can't just run. I just don't think that I can come to terms with the idea that just "participating" in a 1/2 is good enough for me. Walking is not as satisfying as running. Will I ever be able to up my miles past 4 without pain? Remember when I said that running was sort of like a relationship? That was no joke. I've shed more tears since I started training that I have over any guy.

On a brighter note, I had a really great day with my Mom and Carly at the Market!

Local eggs from the Farmer's Market!
I also got 2 basil starts! Ones a regular... the other is purple!
I also picked up some spinach, I've been in love with baby spinach lately so the big leaves should be a nice change.

They may be more expensive than the ones from the grocery story, but they are much fresher!
Obviously you can tell that I have re-embraced eggs into my diet.

Tomorrow I plan to set some food rules for myself. I need to reevaluate and detox. Ever since the Naturopath told me I should limit sugar, I've been craving it like crazy! Seriously, tell someone they shouldn't eat so much sugar and I guarantee that is all they'll want! And I've been totally caving to those cravings!! I love local bakeries and that they are at the farmer's market.... but they still aren't good for you! Also, when it says they are gluten-free that doesn't mean they are a diet item!!

From now on, I'm only going to set one new goal a week for myself. I seem to have too much going on right now to keep up with four or more a week and it is doing nothing for my mood when I'm unsuccessful.

I think my Debbie-Downer mood is based on a mix of coming off a sugar rush and a lack of endorphins from not running... Tomorrow the sun is supposed to be shinning and I'm hoping for a bike ride!

Drafted.

Today was the NFL draft. Usually I'm not all that excited about the draft, I dedicate all of Fall and Winter being obsessed with football, so throwing April in there as well is a bit much to ask. But this year, I was invited to a draft party. There was beer, chips, dip and also some gambling. Three of the people there put in $10 dollars and created our own mock draft. You won if you had the most correct picks. I'm pretty sure that they invited me to play because they thought I was easy money.... Well the jokes on you guys! I won! $20 more in my pocket! 

Its those little things that make you happy!

Good news! Soy yogurt and soy milk taste amazing  in overnight oats!
It has a much sweeter taste than greek yogurt.

As for my slow detox....

The biggest thing I've noticed in the past three days without dairy is that I'm not congested at all. I had been really sniffly the past few weeks. Since February I'd also been eating more dairy than I ever had before in my life. In the form of Greek Yogurt and NF milk. I had read that these are great things for runners to consume, but I think the congestion is one of the effects of having dairy.

I can't wait for the lack of caffeine to stop bothering me! Each day is better and for the most part I haven't had any headaches, but I am oh so sleepy and maybe a little grumpy and maybe just a little irritable... Don't mess with me for like another week!

No sweets is so hard when there are sweet things in my house! I think I'll start that on Monday!!! Baby steps here...

Here's a Story....

Stop reading if I've told this story before...

When I first became a vegetarian 13 years ago (still eating fish), I didn't have any of the resource that are so widely available today. So I learned a lot through my mistakes (Clam Chowder has bacon in it! What?!). At first my only concern was not eating hunks of meat, today I'm much stricter and if something has even a little chicken stock in it I wont eat it.

I decided to become a vegetarian on New Years Eve (as a resolution!) in the middle of a family ski trip to Whistler. My last meal as a red meat eater was steak. I remember vividly on the drive home we stopped at McDonalds for breakfast, and it was a big deal that I got a pancake meal instead of an Egg McMuffin.

When I was right around 14 I decided to give up chicken. I don't really remember why, but I think I was just sick of eating so much chicken. When I was little I used to get sick with terrible stomach pains, and once I gave up meat those stomach aches were a thing of the past.

For the most part my family has always been very supportive of my decision. I think that in the beginning this was because they thought it was just a phase. And I am grateful for all of the times someone made me a special dish because they knew I wasn't eating the pork loin. 

That leads me into something interesting I've found... the backlash you sometimes get when you tell people that you are cutting out animal products. You would think that you were saying their baby was ugly or something. People get defensive and sometimes angry. It is one thing to give up red meat and chicken, but cheese?! I had to try not to get defensive myself, but it's difficult not to. I'm constantly confused as to why people take it so personally what I do and don't eat. I don't think I need to come up with some grand reasoning for my choice. I guess I get it, its different and different is scary... but honestly, I'm not trying to turn you into a vegan or a vegetarian. My choices are my own, I'm just doing what feels right for my body.... do what feels right for yours and we don't have to argue!

Anyways! I had a pretty rough time with food today, I may have eaten the better half of a bag of tortilla chips while at my grandma's house. I think part of this was because I haven't really wrapped my head around what I want to eat. How much sugar am I going to cut out? So dairy is out, but what if it is in something... like lets say a cookie? :) Eggs are back in... as is fish. So now I'm going to try to protein pack my diet and see how that feels. Only two servings a fruit a day?

I also looked at labels today and found that nothing I eat has cholesterol in it.... and half of the things I eat claim to lower cholesterol... sigh...

Blended oats with pumpkin! I didn't add any sweetener... It was just decent, I missed the sweetness that bananas or fruit gives to the mix! Lots of chia seeds and walnuts with the soy yogurt and soy milk (hooray for protein!).

I'm obsessed with salsa on top of salad! It makes it so much easy to skip all that chopping!
I buy a local brand from central market that has big chunks of onion, tomato and celery!
(Also those are Vegan tofukey beer brats! So yummy and packed with protein!) 

Tomorrow is the NFL draft! I'm going to a draft party! Anything football gets me excited!