Half Marathon Training: Foods to Fuel Your Workout

A good diet promotes higher energy levels.. and I'll need all the energy I can get to run 13.1 freaking miles!! High protein and fiber enables a longer lasting (slow release) energy. I am trying to be very conscious of my eating, so I can reach my goal of 13.1 miles! Don't get me wrong it's hard... brownies & pizza are my down fall, but it will be so worth it when I reach the Finish line!!
Things to incorporate in your runner's diet:

• Whole Grains: They digest slower than simple carbs (white flour ad sugar). Provides valuable amounts of nutrients and fiber enabling a longer lasting, stable energy.
• Starchy Vegetables: Energy enhancers
• Don't forget your greens! I try to incorporate spinach into 3 meals a day!! It is packed full of nutrients and protein... (remember, Popeye?!)
• Lean protein: Enhances brain function and balances blood sugar. Enhances and stabilizes energy. I try to consume 20 grams of protein 3 times a day. Eating this much of lean protein per meal (one chicken breat) fills (& fuels) me up, so I don't binge on sweets between meals.
• Legumes: Fiber!! Fills you up and helps you digest everything better!
• WATER: 6-10 8oz glasses a day!! This is key!!

Remember: YOUR LEGS ARE NOT GIVING OUT. YOUR HEAD IS GIVING UP. KEEP GOING.

Half Marathon Training

In August my hubby and I are running in the lululemon half marathon in Vancouver, B.C. Canada! I am so excited... it will be the weekend of my birthday and I just love Vancouver!! When we signed up a few months ago I knew I had to get my butt in gear and start training...  I ran cross country and track in high school, but it's been a while! So, I made a training schedule to enable me to slowly work my way up to 13.1 miles. I thought I would share it to help others that want to train, but don't know where to start.
Happy Training, friends! REMEMBER: IT NEVER GETS EASIER... YOU JUST GET BETTER!

Christopher's Crepes with Blackberry Sauce

I am spoiled. This morning Chris asked me what I wanted for breakfast, and I said crepes! He was hoping I would want simple scrambled eggs, but since he is amazing he went to work! ( I convinced him it was just like making an omlette). Here's the recipe I gave him...

Christopher's Crepes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 t. salt

2 tablespoons butter melted

Process:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Slowly add in the milk and water, stir to combine. Add the salt and butter, and beat until smooth.

Heat a lighty buttered omlette pan over med. high heat.

Pour the batter over the pan... tilt in a circular motion until the batter has evenly coated the pan.

Cook each crepe for about 2 minutes until the bottom is light brown. flip like a pancake and cook the other side. Serve hot.

I filled mine with Greek yogurt and topped with a blackberry sauce. Chris filled his with Nutella and banannas.

Blackberry Sauce

Ingredients:

8 oz. frozen blackberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 T. orange juice (lemon juice works too)

2 t. cornstarch

Process:

Place a small saucepan over medium high heat.

Add blackberries and sugar...simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.

Add orange juice and cornstarch... simmer on low for about 2 minutes until you have a smooth consistancy.

Serve hot!

 

"Hey, where's my crepe?!"- Pookie (in his French accent.)



Spinach & Feta Hummus

 



Chris and I had a picnic last weekend, and I wanted to make us a special lunch, so I decieded to combine two of my favorite things with hummus. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Be warned... you might just end up eating this whole bowl of hummus in one sitting like we did!

Ingredients:

16 oz. can garbanzo beans

1/4 cup water

3-5 T. lemon juice

1 1/2 T. seasame seed

2 cloves of garlic 

1/2 t. kosher salt

2 T. olive oil

3 T. feta cheese

16 oz. fresh spinach

Proccess:

Drain and rinse beans.

Blend first 7 ingredients in food processor. 

My theory is the more garlic the better, so I usually end up adding an extra clove (or two or three; depending on how crazy I'm feelin!) 

Add the main characters to this beautiful story, spinach & feta! (This is going to depend on your personal preferance... add more or less depending on what you like).

Grab some tortilla or pita chips and ENJOY!!

     

30 Ways To Bless Your Husband: Day 7

Laugh with him! Laughter heals! :)

30 Ways To Bless Your Husband: Day 6

Cook him his favorite meal! My hubby surrre loves meat & potatoes!

30 Ways To Bless Your Husband: Day 5

Use your imagination when it comes to this verse. ;)

"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." Song of Solomon 7:10

Spinach & Mushoom Frittata

Fra taaaa taa!

This delicious egg dish is almost as fun to make as it is to say! Seriously... I was singing, "Fraaa taaaaaa taa!" the whole time I was making it. Chris must have thought I was going nuts! After about ten minutes into my chorus he finally asked me... what is a Fraaa taaaa taa?! I said, "you will find out here in a minute, and you're world will be forever changed!" It's so easy, fast, and delicious! I don't know how I didn't discover this omlette like dish sooner! I browsed about ten different frittata recipes, and then developed one that Chris & I's taste buds would love most!

Ingredients:

• about a half of cup of sliced mushrooms (add more or less depending on your love for mushrooms)
• three handfuls of fresh spinach (my hands are small, but I grabbed huge handfuls becuase I love spinach)
• six large eggs
• a few drops of milk (to whisk with eggs)
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 cup mozarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (to sprinkle on top)
• 2-3 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• dash of salt & pepper

Method:

• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet on medium to medium high heat, add mushrooms and sautee for 2-3 minutes
• Meanwhile whisk eggs, milk, salt & pepper, mozzarella cheese, and the red pepper flakes (if you are using them) in a medium bowl until the eggs peak and small air bubbles form
• Add the spinach to your pan, and stir around so that the spinach is coated in butter and slightly wilted
• Pour your egg mixture over the veggies in the pan
• Gently push the edges of the eggs inward with a rubber spatula for 5-10 minutes or until your eggs appear to have set
• Turn oven to broil, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the Fra taaa taa
• Place your pan in the oven... now this is going to be quick... you just want the cheese to melt and turn golden brown... turn on that oven light and watch your frittata so that beautful creation doesn't burn!
• Prepare for your world to be forever changed!

30 Ways to Bless Your Husband

Day 4

Leave an encouraging note in his car to find later!

30 Ways To Bless Your Husband

Day 3

Today I am being very intentional about building Chris up; especially in front of other people. Words of affirmation are one of his love languages. I am trying to compliment him, and be careful not to say anything negative. Today I actually asked him... "how can I bless you today." I told him how I was thinking that I really wanted to build him up with my words, and he responded beautifully. He asked me how he could bless me in return. I wasn't expecting that response from him, but it was definatly an added bonus... looks like I'll be getting a back massage tonight! :)

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."- Proverbs 31:26

30 Ways To Bless Your Husband

Day 2

Today I will give Chris the freedom to watch football with his brotherr and not nag him, or make him feel guilty. And I will joyfully partake in the festivities.

Lemon Caper Chicken

Happy Thursday! Two nights ago we had my mother-in-law over for dinner. It was our first time having her over for dinner since we moved into our new house. It was about a 10 minutes drive for her; instead of a two hour drive to Fresno, so it was very nice. I know that she is very conscious of what her son eats; she wants her boy to be healthy since she loves him so much! So I was under a little pressure here... I wanted to hit it out of the park! I decided on this Lemon Caper Chicken recipe that my sweet friend, Mandy shared with me a few months ago. Apparently it was a hit, because I got a sweet voicemail from my mother-in-law last night saying how much she enjoyed the dinner and how she isn't worried about her son at all! ;) I hope your family enjoys it as much as we did! Bon Appetit!          

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed

Directions

1. Season chicken breasts with lemon juice, pepper, salt, dill weed, and garlic powder.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place breasts in skillet, and increase heat to medium-high. Turn chicken frequently, until brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, until breasts are cooked through. Remove chicken to a warm serving platter, and cover with foil.
3. Return skillet to stove, and increase heat to high. Whisk in whipping cream, whisking continuously until reduced to sauce consistency, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in capers. Pour sauce over chicken, and serve.

Please Help Send Us Back To Our Honeymoon Resort!

It's been a while since I have been on here! Chris and I have moved into our new home in Manteca and are loving it! I have lots of yummy creations that I want to share with you, friends! I will post later this week with a treat!
For now I want to ask a favor... the all inclusive resort in Rivera Maya that Chris and I went to for our honeymoon is having a contest! If you have the Instagram app on your smartphone... follow this link http://instagr.am/p/f7_bf/ to "like" our photo. If my photo gets the most "likes" Chris & I will win a 5 day vacation!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!