Go Legs Go! Filed under ( running )

Happy weekend! Today has been a fabulous day thus far! I worked a short day and then busted through a number of errands(post office, dry cleaners, food store). After, I pushed through a 6 mile run. I tried to pick up my speed since I usually just take it at an easy/comfy pace. I was shocked when I looked down at my watch at the end of my run:

I never knew my 5'1" body could make it (on average) under 9 minutes! I just finished showering, packing, and snacking :) I'm off to Columbia, SC for the Les Mills Quarterly! See you all tomorrow!!

Also: Happy Blog Birthday to Meghann!!

Practice Run, Froyo, Mellow Mushroom Filed under ( Dessert, Restaurant Review, running )

How is your long weekend going so far? Mine has been lovely! Josh and I went into Charleston yesterday and walked around. We made a stop at Fresh Berry for my "birthday cake"- delicious froyo and fruit:


Amazing! When we got home, we took the Frankster for a walk (lots of walking yesterday!!) and then headed out to dinner with a friend. We went to Mellow Mushroom and Josh was thrilled to see that they had added prosciutto to their menu!!


Josh and our friend ordered the garlic Parmesan pretzels to start. I nabbed a piece- they are as good as they look:

I got a salad (I was still pretty full from our froyo ;)) of romaine, green peppers, onions, cucumber, tomato, avocado and a side of herb vinaigrette.

Josh got a pizza with artichokes and prosciutto:

We came home and I hit the hay early. I woke up at 6:45 ready to do my practice run for a bridge race I am hoping to run in October. Here is the view as I drove to the starting line:

I was nervous to run the bridge as I've been training mostly on flat ground. However, I completed the 10k run and was happy with my stats:

And was a nice sweaty mess after:

Today I am hoping to go to the beach and maybe pick up some new running sneakers! What is your favorite sneaker brand/model?

Goal Check-in for the Weekend:

Spend at least 8 hours outside - 5 hours down already!!

Smile more - :)

Complete a test run for an upcoming race I am hoping to complete- Done!

Eat Fresh Berry - Done!

Spend lots of time with Josh and Frank - Have been doing lots of this and am hoping for even more!

How are you doing with your weekend goals??

Italian Baked Acorn Squash & Birthday (first half) Filed under ( Food List, Healthy, Italian, Restaurant Review, running, vegetarian )

First off, we had our first Acorn Squash of the season last night! I made it up Italian style with buffalo meat for J and beans for me. Josh had a side of pineapple (I stole a piece) and I had a side of cantaloupe:

    

Thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes! My day so far has been fabulous!!! I started off with an 6 mile run:

Hung out with my favorite bulldog (Chewing on his new toy courtesy of Josh’s Mom):

 

Got my first pumpkin spiced misto of the season

 

Got a pedicure

 

and went to Liberty for a birthday lunch with my parents. I got the fruit and goat cheese salad (so so good):

 

I’ve also received some fabulous gifts that I must share with you. Bulldog PJ pants from my friend Mandi:

An awesome watermelon bowl from my Aunt & Uncle (I’m obsessed with fruit shaped plates and bowls):

Lots of goodies from my MIL including TJs Peanut Flour! I can’t wait to make pancakes a la Julie!!

I got lots of new Vera too including this cute bag (from my Mom) and matching wallet (from my adorable sister in law, Jenny). Great minds think alike on the pattern!!       

The rest of the day? Up in the air! Josh is getting out of work early and we’re going to do dinner or something downtown. Maybe some Fresh Berry!!

Lighter Panzanella Salad Filed under ( fruit, Healthy, running, Vegetables )

Happy Friday! How was your week? The second half of mine has been pretty relaxing & wonderful. I have gotten a lot done around the house, spent some time in the sun and even went for a nice run today. Lindsay and I were going to run the bridge tonight, but she developed a terrible cold (send her some loving!). So instead, I ran 5.75 miles outside this morning. It was hot, but glorious. The best form of stress relief (in my opinion).

  When I first moved to South Carolina, I couldn’t run for very long/at all in the heat. I have adapted, but advise that if you plan to run in heat you follow a few simple guidelines:

1. Run in the morning or later at night. In the South, its usually cooler in the mornings.

2. Hydrate well before and after (and during if its a longer run)

3. Listen to your body, if you don’t feel good…STOP and walk!

4. Build up. Start by running shorter distances or just walking. Then, slowly increase your distance.

5. Pick a shady path. The sun can be a killer- so pick a path with more shade.

For more tips, check out Active.com and Runner’s World.

A few weeks ago, I had amazing panzanella salad at Evo and I have dreaming about it ever since. I decided to try my hand at a homemade version tonight and added in some sweetness with cantaloupe.

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1/2 cucumber, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1/8-1/4 a cantaloupe- cut into bite sized pieces or balled
• 3 oz fresh mozzarella (part skim) or goat cheese
• bread (I used Arnold's thins)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• spice mixture (I used TJs 21 salute seasoning)

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients except bread and place in fridge for 1-2 hours.

Preheat broiler and toast bread on both sides.

Tear bread into pieces and mix in with other ingredients, serve.

Simple & delicious.  Makes 2 larger servings.

What are you up to for the rest of the weekend? I am teaching Step tomorrow morning and my Mama is coming down to take class. After, we are planning on lunch and shopping. Other than that??? Hopefully relaxing with Josh and this guy:

Catch Up! Filed under ( Family, group fitness, Restaurant Review, running )

I apologize for the absence and lack of commenting as of late! Josh's parents were in town until early Thursday and his brother & his girlfriend and sister and her boyfriend were in town visiting until this morning. We had lots of good times including dinner Wednesday at South End Brewery:

A stop at the Vendue roof top bar:

Yogurt at Fresh Berry:

Thursday, they all hit up the beach while Josh and I worked. Thursday night, we went to Liberty Tap Room. A few of the brave ones tried the Oyster Shooters (Pearlz Peppar Vodka, Oyster & Cocktail sauce):

After, we stopped by Red's, so Josh's siblings could see Shem Creek:

Phew! It was really nice to have Josh's family in town, especially since Josh was still recovering from his elbow surgery. I am pretty exhausted and thrilled for a three day weekend! What are you up to?

I didn't post the workout plan this week, but it went/will go as follows:

M: Quick run to warm up, taught Body Pump

T: Taught Body Attack

W: Off

R: 6 mile run outside:

F: Teach Body Attack

S: Teach Body Step

S: Off

This weekend should be pretttttttttty relaxing. We plan to maybe do brunch and a bbq. Can't wait :)

I Love SC & Vegan Coconut Cornbread Muffins Filed under ( Breakfast, Healthy, running, Vegan )

Are you ready for the weekend?? I am especially excited for this weekend because Josh's parents are coming !! BTW- I have a few exciting giveaways coming, including another from the CSN stores!! As you may already know, the CSN stores sell all sorts of goodies including bathroom vanities.

How has the rest of your week been treating you? Mine has been quite nice. On Wednesday, I took advantage of the beautiful South Carolina weather and headed out to the Isle of Palms Connector to do a little walking/running. I ran a race on the connector last October and have been itching to get back out there ever since. Couple pictures taken during my run:

SC is so beautiful! I just love living here. The run/walk was very enjoyable, but HOT! Thank goodness for the heavier winds on the bridge.

I was a hot mess afterwards and decided I needed to share my stinky-ness with the world. I hit up the New Harris Teeter (that I believe is supposed to be "Green") that just opened up this week. We have probably 3 of these already in my town, but this one has a Starbucks inside :)

The store is very nice, but nothing too out of the ordinary (again...minus the exciting Starbucks!), but I did pick up a new hummus to try and it did not disappoint!

With Josh's parents coming into town, I have been doing some baking. I made up granola (2 cups oats, 1 cup coconut, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 cup walnuts, 2 tablespoons flax, 3 tablespoons honey and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil baked at 250 for 1 hour). I also put together some Vegan Coconut Cornbread muffins. The recipe I used before seems to have disappeared, so I went off memory and made a few adjustments:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon flax

Directions:

• Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another
• Combine ingredients
• Spray a muffin pan, divide mixture into 12
• Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes
  
  

These muffins have (according to my calculations) ~ 122 calories per muffin! How fabulous is that? Lastly, I made up a veganized version of these bars. I used 2 tablespoons of flax and 6 tablespoons of water instead of the 2 eggs. I also added in dried cherries instead of chocolate chips.

On a side note, I got a VERY fun package from the people at Galaxy Granola on Wednesday. They are releasing two new flavors (review to come). Any guesses on what the people who promote Fruit Not Fat have put together?

I hope you enjoy your weekend! What are you up to? And now for the Frank picture of the day (yes, his head is really that big):

Rachael Ray's Peasto Filed under ( chicken, Italian, running, Vegetables )

Friday is so wonderful, isn’t it? Hope you are having a great day thus far. Thank you all for the sweet comments on my last post. I used to dislike my muscular legs, now I love them and all their strength! Never take for granted your amazing body and all that it can do!!

The rest of my work week has been going well. In terms of workouts, Wednesday was a rest day (glorious) and last night I taught 45 minute Body Step & 45 minute Body Pump. This morning, I did a 4 mile run. Love, love running outside!


Earlier this week, I tried out a new recipe, Rachael Ray’s Peasto. I lightened it up just a bit by mixing asparagus in with the pasta and using a less sauce than what the recipe called for. In Josh’s version, I added some chicken.

I wanted to send a BIG thank you out to Josh who got me (a little early) two of the sweetest “Mother’s” day gifts (Frank counts as a child ;)). He got me this funny tshirt, and this book:

I’m already about 50 pages into the book and am loving it.

What are you up to this weekend?