3 blah ones

I was so eager to run tonight. But once I hopped onto the treadmill at the gym I just wasn't into it. I felt sluggish, tired, heavy... I told myself to at least do 2 miles but then listened to two more songs to get me to 3 miles. Glad it's over and boy did I work up a sweat.

3 - 26:02 - 8:41 pace (blah)


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these are a few of my favorite things....

My favorite time of the day is around dinner time... I love when the day starts to wind down, I pour a glass of wine or a good hoppy beer, turn on pandora and start cooking. The kids really get into what I am making and have developed a well rounded palate. They are not your chicken nugget/fries type of kids, I mean don't get me wrong they won't turn that away but they would rather have a good meal.  Cooking tends to calm me down from the day too and I love to create delicious things to eat (or at least my family and I think they are).

Random quiz

My favorite veggie - brussel sprouts, artichokes and broccoli a close second
My favorite fruit - clementines and blueberries
Why do I run - Mostly to stay in shape, challenge myself and give myself that self of accomplishment as well as a huge stress relief.
Goals for running - I'd like to run at least one half marathon and one full per year or two half marathons, I'd like to one day run a sub 21  minute 5K, a sub 4 hour marathon and a sub 1:40 half, run in as many different state...and just keep runnning!
favorite jeans - Seven for all Mankind - I own several pair and they always just fit me so great...I am about to try J Brand ( I scored these on ebay from Tristan Prettyman, owning a pair of famous jeans!) I hope I like them
favorite time to run - ideally i love getting up early and running...but I do enjoy my late night runs at night
favorite race so far it's so hard to pick my favorite, as I loved them all in their own way - but I do think I enjoyed the Springfield Half because I met my goal, PR'd even though the course was super hilly and my kids/C were at the finish line and we had a great weekend trip to Springfield out of it...did I mention my whole family loves and adores Abe!?

4

Treadmill run. Hard to get to gym tonight because it's cold outside. But I'm glad I did.

4 miles 33:02 8:13 pace
I was excited I warmed up at 8:54 then moved up to 8:33,8:20. I felt good so I moved up to 8:13 then the last mile 8/7:53. I think my run with my "fast" sis in law pushed me a bit and I'm finding maybe I can run a little faster.

I'm going to try a 5k soon to see what I can push out!


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Slow cooker Chicken Caccatoire with penne

I needed to throw together a quick slow cooker meal so that dinner would be ready after ice skating in time for us to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"! Here is what I threw together and it was Soooo Yum!

1 lb frozen chicken thighs
1. c chicken stock
1/2 c. white wine
1/2 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 package sliced mushrooms
1 c. frozen peas
1 can diced tomatoes
thyme, basil, oregano,garlic, pepper and sea salt

1.  Place frozen chicken in slow cooker, season with garlic powder and a teeny bit of salt. Pour in stock, wine, veggies, tomatoes and season with basil, oregano, pepper and thyme (eye ball it). Cook on low all day. Add in peas right before serving.
2. Cook penne and serve the chicken with sauce over penne. I served with salad and grated cheese.

Split pea soup - left over ham bone

This year we feasted on a honey baked ham in addition to the turkey for Thanksgiving...and I was the lucky one who was able to take the bone home to make one of our favorite soups. I used Martha Stewart's basic recipe and tweaked a bit.

Split Pea soup with Ham Bone

1 medium onion, chopped
5 celery stalks, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
5 cubed small potatoes
1 tbsp thyme
14.5 oz chicken stock
5 cups water
16 oz split peas - rinsed and sorted
ham bone

 1. in a dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute onion, celery, carrots and potatoes. Season with Thyme, pepper and a pinch of sea salt. Cook until soft.
2. Add in the stock, water, peas and ham bone. Bring to a boil then simmer, partially covered, for about an hour - until the peas are soft.
3. Remove the ham bone and cut off meat (no fat) and replace in the soup. Cook for an additional few minutes to heat through. Add in lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

Croutons
Cut off crusts of 4 slices of whole wheat bread. Cube. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet. Toast the bread and toss for about 7 minutes until crispy.

7.4

Up at the summer house for a long weekend with my sister in laws and family. We did a girls run this morning. I didn't take my gps so I don't know our time but we did drive our route and we ran 7.4 miles. It was so nice and chilly. Nice running and talking. It went by so fast makes me wish I has a running partner. My one sil runs faster than me so I was able to stay with her and that was fun.


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Happy Thanksgiving - 4.0 miles and a link

I ran 4 miles this morning, I felt very sluggish and not very good. Nonetheless I was able to pull out;
4 miles - 33:39 8:24 pace
8:41, 8:25, 8:20, 8:13 splits - heavy breathing but I think it's due to 2 Christmas ales and no water this morning! Still happy to get in a short run before our Thanksgiving feast at my mom's.

I follow the blog, Shutup+Run....it's honest and real and not sugar coated. I loved her Thanksgiving post on being grateful - it's what I needed to hear How to be grateful when you don't feel like it

Too often I go on facebook and get depressed...or I see other families with 'more' or nicer houses, or I see friends reaching goals when I can't even decide where I want to live. The list goes on and on and I guess the key is being happy right where we are, in the moment. When I read the above blog it made me think and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks that. On Facebook everyone expresses how perfect their lives our and it's phoney...some friends do express their realism (one has an eating disorder and kudos to her for daily posting about her struggles). Another good friend of mine emails an annual "I'm so thankful for..." list to her family/friends...and I find each year the anticipation of that email makes me crazy. I am not jealous of her but I can't believe she can really brag about how perfect her marriage is or how perfect her kids are and it makes me cringe. I don't feel that way maybe that's why....life is hard though.

Anyhow, I will try to embrace this day, good and bad, family drama or family fun, crying kids or laughing happy kids, overcooked brussel sprouts, undercooked turkey, house that is imperfect, a career I am not sure where I will be in the next year and all the other imperfections of our lives and just try to be grateful.

pork roast with cranberries!

Traditionally we put up our tree, decorate for Christmas and have a nice dinner the Saturday after Thanksgiving...just our little family. But this year since we will be in Michigan at the summer house with my parents and  my sister in laws and their families, we had to move things up a bit. Last year after our real tree died on us and I was delt with a number of needles everywhere, I bougtht an after Christmas fake tree on sale. Yes, I am a sell out...the years of us chopping down a fresh tree and now a fake one. I was eager to put it up and since our house is small, I have to say the tall and thin tree I picked out fits our house better than the short and stubby real ones we used to buy. Anyhow, we put up our tree tonight, the eve of Thanksgiving so that it would be up when we got back from our weekend away. Thus, I made our traditional dinner.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Cranberries
2.5 lbs pork loin, boneless roast
16 oz, fresh cranberries, whole (I bought Trader Joe's yummy ones)
1/2 c. orange juice
pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp mustard

Mix all the ingrediants in the slow cooker, place pork on top and low cook for 7-8 hours. Thats all! It is so yummy!

I served with mashed potatoes and used the cranberries as my gravy, brussel sprouts and corn. We loved it.

Great Lakes Christmas Ale on the side for me! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Tomorrow my momma is hositng and I look forward to a nice run in the morning before feasting at her city house :) 

Inteval 3.04

Went to the gym last night...I always feel so good after I rest a day then run. I did intervals last night and boy did I work up a sweat!

5 minute warm up @ 8:57
6 - 90 second intervals @ 7:30 with 90 sec recovery @ 8:34
Last 3.5 minutes @8:20/8:13

Then I did arms and core....felt good.

I weighed myself since I was at the gym and was 112.8 (last week was 113.8)! This is my high school weight....of course after I graduated college I had dropped down to 102....even 97! So I think 110 is my ultimate goal and feel good around there...so 2 more to go. I think my stomach is starting to look better too....of course with the Holidays upon us things will be a bit hard but I don't want to start gaining.

My plan will be:
1. Keep up not eating after 8pm ( I totally think this has helped me...just a cup of green tea!)
2. Stick to proteins/veggies/fruits and not gorge on carby stuff.  Moderate with the sweets....instead of gorging on everything, pick one thing i really want (like this yummy pumpkin pie we made) and cut back on say Mashed Potatoes!
3. Alcohol...now this will be my downfall b/c there are so many yummy things to drink now....Great Lakes Christmas Ale for one! I will increase water too....

3 afternoon delight

I snuck in a short 3 mile run this afternoon.
3.04 26:14 8:37 pace
splits 9:13, 8:34, 8:13 - took me a bit to warm up!

c took the kids to the nature preserves so I was able to have a little run alone. It was nice. Then I did my pilates/core stuff for a bit. Working on the tummy!

Opa! 5.5

My mom treated us to our annual trip to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the "Once upon a time" children's show. It was great as always and then we went to Greek Town to celebrate my brother's birthday. I had 2 glasses of Roditis (thanks to my mom for twisting my arm, haha). We came home and I went for a run.

5.5 miles 46:01 8:22 pace

splits: 8:32, 8:27, 8:24, 8:19, 8:11, 8:13

Felt good, weather was perfect and I was relaxed :)

Beaujolais 2012!

The holidays are officially here...cheers!!


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3 chilly miles and some protein

A jumped into our bed at 5:45am - and I thought what a GREAT way to get my a$$ out of bed for a morning run. It was chilly, in the low 30's and I wore my new Lululemon ear band - toasty! Run was good, I was able to get the GPS working on Runkeeper. I some how had it on a setting that constantly told me my time, pace, etc which blocked my music from playing, so I stopped at .12 mile and readjusted settings....I still don't understand how it works but it was nice to see my splits right away.

8:39, 8:30, 8:03
3 miles - 25:14

When I came home I had greek yogurt, honey, frozen blueberries and a scoop of Protein Powder - yum! My husband uses it and swears by it so I thought I'd try some. I did ab sets last night and hoping to get a longish run in this weekend.

blah 3.41

3.41 miles - 30:00 min 8:47 pace
My left knee is bothering me, has been since my long run on Saturday. Not sure..I know I should rest but I am determined to get my weight down! and I don't want to lose days of running. I really wanted to run 4 miles tonight but didn't quit make it, my knee bothered me too much..excuses excuses I know...tomorrow will be a better run!

Meditteranean Chicken with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

I tried this in the slow cooker today and it really great! I used frozen chicken thighs and it was pretty done by 2:00 (starting at 9:00am) on low. I kept it on keep warm the rest of the day.

Mediterranean Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (frozen)
1 can 14 0z. diced tomatoes
1 coarsely chopped onion
15 chopped, pitted kalamata olives
2 oz. sundried tomatoes
3 tbsp drained capers
1 lemon
Seasonings: pepper, greek seasonings, sea salt.
Squeeze lemon juice from lemon into slow cooker. Add in tomatoes, onions, olives, capers, sundried tomatoes and top with chicken. Season with pepper, greek seasons and salt. Set slow cooker on low and cook all day until chicken is done and tender.

 Roasted Fingerlings
1 bag organic Fingerling Potatoes - Rosemary, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil, spray and salt
1. Rinse and cut potatoes in half, lengthwise. In a bowl, toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, a little sea salt, pepper and rosemary
2. Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with olive oil spray. Spread out coated potatoes and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes, until tender.

YUMMMMMMMM! This combo, along with a salad (balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pepper and parm cheese) was great!!! Everyone had seconds, thirds, etc.

3 and strength

Ran 3 miles at the gym tonight - 25:41, 8:33 pace

Then on to arms and core.....I weighed in 3 lbs less from Thursday...so between being less bloated and cutting out my eating past 8:00 I am making progress....

World Run Day

Friends of ours are runners. Their daughter wanted to do the hot chocolate run this year and after (both of us ran it last year) realizing how crowded it is, she decided to host a local fun run. After a little searching she realized today was World Run Day...so she formed a little fun run herself in honor of World Run Day and asked for everyone to donate canned goods/$5 to RespondNow, a local charity. So we joined our friends this morning for a windy but fun run. It was a 3.2 mile course, although since we let our girls run (M did .54 mile and A did about .1) it was a littler shorter for us. I did push A in the double BOB for 1.46 miles - it was a great morning and we were happy that about 20 runners showed up! Great cause and great run!

chocolate greek yogurt

2-3 scoops Greek yogurt
little sprinkle of cocoa powder
1 tbps honey

mix is all together and top with frozen blueberries!

yummy post run treat!

perfect (weather) fall morning

I was able to squeeze in a 6 miler this morning - nothing but Mraz, me and the falling leaves. I wore my running tights,a short sleeved shirt and was out the door. This was perfect temps, a little windy but just great.

splits:
1 - 8:42
2- 8:40
3- 8:41
4 - 8:43
5 - 8:23
6- 8:23

6.01 miles - 51:51 - 8;38 pace

I tried to use Runkeeper but the GPS would not load up. I will try again but I may be back to using MMR. Annoying. I have been logging on daily mile too (C and his sis are on so it's nice to see their activities).

you know when...

you go to bed early in hopes of waking up for an early morning run....then realize that your littlest (who didn't fall asleep the night before until 9:30, wayyyyy past her bedtime) wakes up even earlier than you and then you realize that you can't get that run in....makes for a very very grubby mom....no amount of coffee nor wine can compare to that run

Chicken butternut squash soup

I threw this together after seeing a recipe online that looked good. I did my own thing and it actually turned out great - M had four bowlfuls.

Chicken Butternut Squash soup

1.5 lbs lean chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 onion chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
s, p and curry
1 lb, peeled and cut into bite size pieces of Butternut Squash
2 washed, peeled and cut Sweet Potatoes
1 qt Chicken Stock, unsalted
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
toasted walnuts/nuts

1. Saute celery, garlic and onions in olive oil in a dutch oven, season with pepper, add in the chicken and cook on medium high, season with a little salt and 1 tbsp curry. Cook until chicken is almost done. Add in the flour and cook a few minutes.
2. Add in the chopped up sweet potatoes and squash, mix then add in the broth. Make sure the veggies are covered with the liquid. Bring to boil then simmer, covered until tender...about 20-30 minutes. I added in the apricots towards the end and topped with nuts.
 
I felt that this needed some GREEN but just garnished with parsley. I think a nice cilantro would work too.

Curry is a great flavor...adds so much to the right dishes!

4 & 3

Monday - ran 4 miles - 8:46 pace. took my legs a good mile to get warmed up so started around 9:05 then increased 8:34, 8:27, 8:20

Wednesday - ran intervals - 5 minute warm-up @ 9:05
6 - 90 second intervals @ 7:30 with 90 second recovery @ 8:34
2 minutes @ 8:27 Felt Good

No snacking at night - down 1 lb from Monday's weigh in

eating

This is a no brainer I know...but I find myself not eating breakfast, snacking a little all day (feeling like I am controlling my eating) and then eating a good dinner....then when I run at night I come home and snack. This doesn't sound balanced does it...starve all day then gorge at night? Maybe THIS is why I can't get rid of my 'extra' tummy layer.

So starting this week, I have been eating breakfast (protein/fruit) and I don't have that starving feel....so when it's lunch time I'm ready to eat a sensible lunch then sensible dinner and I have given myself the rule of NO snacking after 8pm. Green tea is OK...but nothing else after that.

We will see....I will give myself 3 weeks to see if I make any progress in the tummy area...I'm adding in strength to my workouts so hopefully I will see a difference!

skyrise pictures

I thought these were pretty silly looking....

And I colored my hair immediately after I saw these pics...nice roots!!!!

runkeeper

I'm officially going to start using Runkeeper instead of MapMyRun....I will post how I like the two in comparison. That is the next time I actually get to RUN OUTDOORS! These dark evenings are causing my treadmill runs to take over. Looks like over the weekend I will hopefully pull out a nice long run

Lasagna

I have several lasagna recipes, even a slow cooker one I use. This is tonight's lasagna I'm making

Turkey Veggie Lasagna

Sauce
2 large cans plum tomatoes, no salt with basil
1 medium chopped onion
2 celery stalks, minced
5 baby carrots, chopped
2 oz tomato paste
garlic powder, dried basil, red pepper flakes and pepper
 1 lb lean white ground turkey
Saute onion, carrots and veggies, season with garlic. Cook the turkey, browning it up and breaking up. Add the paste and mix well. Add in the plum tomatoes, breaking each by hand (or throw them all in a blender/processor and break up), season with basil, a little red pepper flakes and pepper. Bring to a boil then simmer covered for awhile until seasons blend. Let cool

The Lasagna builds....
1 package ready cooked lasagna noodles
15 oz ricotta cheese
3 to 4 oz fresh basil - chopped
1 egg
1/2 c. freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
2 c. freshly shredded mozzarella


Mix ricotta, one egg, 1/2 c. parm and chopped up fresh basil
spray a baking dish with olive oil spray, pour a little of the sauce on the bottom and spread 

layer:
4 lasagna noodles
1/3 ricotta mixture (sprinkle a little mozzarella in between as desire)
sauce
Repeat two more times
top with noodles, sauce and mozzarella

Bake 40-45 minutes at 375 until browned and bubbly - let sit for a bit before cutting.
You can layer this, throw it in the fridge and bake the next day - even better!

Salad and home made garlic bread on the side 

Garlic Bread

Toast in the oven sliced up french or sourdough, layer a little Kerrygold Irish Butter ....rub fresh garlic clove on the toast once it's hot out of the oven!

Red Lentil Chili

Trader Joe's is selling Red Lentils right now and like many items, who knows how long they will be for sale. I had found a chili recipe using red lentils so tweaked it a bit and made it tonight as a quick Sunday dinner. I first rinsed the lentils. I enjoyed their flavor and this made for a great meatless chili.

Red Lentil Chili
4 - 14oz cans diced tomatoes (I used one low sodium and three chili ready ones since C had to run out quick to the store for me, as I forgot to buy more cans of diced tomatoes)
1 6oz can tomato sauce
2 oz tomato paste
chicken stock
1 rinsed can Kidney beans
1 chopped green pepper
1 chopped onion
garlic powder
chili powder
ground pepper

1. In dutch oven, heat about 1 tbsp olive oil and saute the onions and green pepper until soft. Sprinkle a good amount of garlic powder. Add in the lentils, diced tomatoes, kidney beans and sprinkle with about 2 tbsp chili powder, mix. Cover lentils with enough chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Then simmer, covered for about 30 mins until lentils are tender.
2. Add in tomato sauce, paste and pepper, cook about 5 more minutes, until thickens. Serve with shredded cheese, avocado, whatever toppings you like

Full of protein but no meat! We loved it!
 

Skyrise Chicago - 2012

I had no expectation nor goals. I just wanted to climb to the top of the Willis Tower without stopping the entire 103 floors. C signed me up as his firm is a big donator to the RIC (my dad had done rehab there years back and it was a wonderful place...like that connection). This was C's 4th time climbing the tower and after years of saying no I finally agreed. Each group/person gets a start time. Our group was slotted in the 8:30am start time. So, with the help of daylight savings, we woke up super early, dropped the kids off in the city at grandma's house and headed back downtown. We checked in our gear, met us with C's co-workers and waited in the 8:30 start line for about 15 minutes. When you reach the start line, each person is allowed a 7 second gap in between. Again, I had no goals other than to just try my hardest and not stop.
I started ahead of C. Slower walkers are to stay to the right and faster to the left. I ended up staying on the right and then passing on the left. It went quicker than I thought. You felt it right away though, after about 4 flights I knew this was going to be work, but it was a consistent feeling. I didn't jog up the stairs unless I was passing. I finally caught up to C around maybe the 70th floor and I was able to stay with him. We finished together only he had some seconds on me as he started behind me.
I was very pleased with my 23:51 finish (C predicted a 27 min finish for me!). I ended up placing 14th in my age 30-39 age group out of lots of women! It was fun and I will do it again next year! It was very different from running so it was a nice change up....although I prefer running.
C and I treated ourselves to a yummy breakfast at Julius Meinl! I had peanut butter and banana crepes with nutella spread - and the coffee is so good there!

Pizza Friday!

For about 4 years (my oldest is almost 5) we have made Friday, Pizza Friday. We usually purchase fresh made dough from a local fresh market or Trader Joe's. I have made dough myself but it's so much quicker to buy someone else's labor! The girls usually do a pizza then I make a mom and dad pizza. I usually purchase whole wheat pizza and sometimes white dough for the kids.
I have made homemade sauce with some fresh grated pecorino cheese mixed in. But usually I rely on the pizza sauce that my grandma always used - Pastorelli!

Tonight's pizzas -
Kids pizza - sauce, pepperoni, oregano and garlic powder, mixed cheese (mozzerella, cheddar and monteray)


Adult pizza (kids will eat this too) - sauteed onions and baby bella mushrooms, fresh grated parmasan, black pepper, kalamata olives



We make dog biscuits out of the left over dough.....the kids have fun rolling and making the doggie treats.


 I use regular pizza pans, sprayed with olive oil spray or wiped with olive oil. My Uncle Frank always pour a little bit of olive oil before spreading out the sauce too. 

I will post a recipe for my grandma's pizza dough recipe soon!

post Halloween candy run = blah

I blame THIS bowl of Halloween Candy for an awful run tonight. I had just a few pieces (um, more like I can't remember how many I had) and when I weighed myself after my workout (I always do this) I was 3 pounds more than on Tuesday! Holy Crap that sucks....

So I was all pumped and ready to do intervals and then the stair climber. I warmed up for 5 minutes at 8:57 and felt so winded, then I did ONE interval for 60 seconds at 7:30 and just couldn't recover. My breathing was off, I felt tired and thirsty and I just didn't feel it. Which I hated because I usually feel great and excited when I do intervals. So I just finished up a 10 minute (1.10 mile) run. Then I headed to the Stairs and did 20 minutes on Level 10 which was 111 floors, 2.31 miles. I did some stomach and strength then headed home to give C a turn to go to the gym.

It's so weird, the nights I just DON'T want to go to the gym and have to force myself to go, I usually have really good workouts. Tonight I wanted to go and do intervals and just couldn't do it.

It's the Halloween candy or my mind playing tricks on me....
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