1. I’m currently obsessed with pomegranate arils. They’ve found their way into my salads, quinoa dishes, and my overnight oats. I just wish they weren’t such a pain to cut or that the arils themselves weren’t so dang expensive.
Overnight oats made with equal portions oats, plain Amande, and almond milk, chia seeds, sliced banana, and of course POMs!
2. Do you guys wave to other walkers/runners when you’re out running? I almost always do but I’ve noticed that only a third of the people that I wave to tend to acknowledge me. I’m an independent runner (meaning I actually like running alone) so I understand that not everyone wants to be chummy with a stranger at 5 am but is a wave too much to ask for? Maybe I’m expecting too much? Personally, I love it when people say hi to me while running, not only does it reassure me that I’m not the only crazy out running so early but it’s also encouraging and makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself, the running community. With every wave or nod I feel like I’m communicating with the other runner, “I know it’s early, cold, and you wish you were in bed… me too, but finishing this workout will be worth it in the long run”. What do you guys think? Tell me if I’m being silly 
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3. Ian had a bad day yesterday and as it was close to Valentine’s Day and I knew Ian had been running around putting fires out all day, I decided to bake him something special as an early vday surprise. After much deliberation, I settled on these snickerdoodle cookie cupcakes but substituted the cream cheese frosting with a cinnamon buttercream frosting because we didn’t have any cream cheese and Ian loves buttercream. The cupcakes smelled so good and Ian really liked them so my baking venture was a success. The only sad thing was that even after letting the cupcakes cool for an hour, the frosting still melted a bit when I iced the cupcakes. Oh well.
Also, I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you guys have plans? Ian and I are going out to dinner but keeping it relatively low key.
I was so tempted to buy a huge bag of frozen pomegranate airls at Costco but I didn’t. They were only 9.99 (I think) for the huge bag. If I go back I think I will.
Happy Valentine’s Day!! Hector and I don’t have any plans. We might grab a bit to eat out but nothing big because I have class until 6:30 tonight.
That’s not bad at all actually! Maybe I’ll do that after pomegranate season is over, thanks for the tip
Bummer that you have class tonight but you’re almost done! Have a nice Valentine’s Day!
OMG. I LOVE snickerdoodle! I must look at that cupcake recipe!
I do wave to other runners. And cars too. You’re not be silly. I like acknowledging the other people out there
I don’t think we have VDay plans! My husband has a cold so I think we’ll stay low key. We gave each other cards though.
P.S. Kelsey told me we both recommended that schweet cat boombox to her
kilax recently posted..Random Thoughts Thursday XXXII [9]
The recipe has eggs and dairy in it BUT I saw in the comments that it can be veganized with non-dairy products and flax eggs!
That boombox was amazing, I love that we both recommended it!
Well I would be in a good mood with those cupcakes! Oh my gosh I totally feel you. I am all about running alone and most runs I have to do alone but it baffles me that no runners wave or say hi. Sure it is early in the morning, sure it is a tad dark but I was always so friendly when I ran in my hometown. Now that I am in city people are less friendly when it comes to running by. Sad because there are so many runners out there in the am
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..Awareness is Stronger
Maybe people are nervous running in the city? Who knows? You’d think people would reach out when they’re up early and running alone though.
you and Ian are the sweetest couple, I LOVE it!
what time should I be there for our valentine’s date this evening?
Neville and I would love to come as well. Just send us the info.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thursday Thoughts
No fishies allowed!
Just kidding, you know I love Neville…
6:30 sharp!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I usually do the “smile and nod” to other runners outside. I like when runner’s wave to each other, especially when it’s either really early in the morning or the weather is bad and you’re the only crazy people out running. I’ve actually met people out running and struck up conversations.
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted..Our Valentine’s Day
That’s cool, I’ve never actually started chatting with anyone on a training run. That sounds like a good little goal for myself though!
If I let you know the next time I’m having a bad day, will you bake me cupcakes (after Easter, that is)? I don’t care if the frosting melts.
When I run at home it’s pretty much law that you acknowledge the runners or walkers you encounter while you’re out. Sometimes a wave is sufficient, but a “Hi!” or “Good morning!” is usually encouraged as well. I’ve never had that happen in Chicago, though (although I’m also not out running at 5 a.m., so maybe that’s part of it haha). I did once have a high school cross country runner encourage me on one of my half marathon training runs this summer — pretty sure I was doing like a 12:00 minute mile at that point, so I appreciated that
No Valentine’s Day plans for this single lady, other than a hot date with the pool. My indoor tri training will not stop for Hallmark holidays! Haha.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
So long as you give me a 3 hour window to bake and transport the cupcakes to your apartment I’m totally down with baking for you if you have a bad day.
Considering all of the comments, I’m starting to wonder if the not waving is a Chicago thing… or maybe a city thing. Perhaps runners are more guarded running in the city versus a small town?
How’s your swimming going? When is your tri?
Done. I can be patient
Swimming is…going all right. I skipped out last Thursday because it was so gross outside (that’s the day it rain snowed and was just all around nasty) and I was feeling extra lazy, but I still managed to get in 800 on Saturday which I was happy about. I’m REALLY struggling with not getting water up my nose when I come up to breathe, though, which is not fun. I did a full-out brick on Sunday (20 minutes on the bike, 15 on the treadmill, just like it’ll be at the tri), so I’m hoping to swim for 15 straight minutes today to see where I’m at with that as well. Considering I haven’t swum more than 100 straight so far, we’ll see how that goes, but I’m not in any way in this to win it–I’m just in it to do it–so if I have to switch from freestyle to breaststroke to go for 15 minutes, I’m fine with that. We shall see! The tri is on the 23rd, which is terrifyingly close haha.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
Ahh so soon! I bet you’ll have a blast though, in my experience tris are a little more relaxed and low key than road races. I had so much fun doing mine last summer.
Also, don’t be afraid to switch into breaststroke. I do it quite a bit in openwater swims to spot. I also did it quite a bit during my first tri because I panicked right after the race started from all of the people swimming over me and took off into a dead sprint— bad idea! You should be good though!
Have fun at dinner tonight. We are staying in . . . I plan on making a special dinner for us when we get home from work though!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Mexican Quinoa-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
What are you making? Have a great Vday!
I used to wave at other runners, but I felt like people were looking at me like I’m nuts. Now I feel like I look rude if another running waves first and I don’t. I guess it’s a lose lose situation!
I never think it’s rude if I wave first and someone waves back. I really like it!
I do feel awkward if I wave to no response though
I nearly ALWAYS wave to ppl I see while I’m running! I usually also have a goofy grin. Remember those wonderful days when I used to run outside and got to see you every once in awhile. Sigh.
Emily recently posted..Two books to read: The Power of One and Mornings in Jenin
I was thinking of you this morning because I ran so far north. I miss you!!
i totally am a waver/head nodder when i’m out running and i get offended when people don’t wave back. i feel like we’re all in this union of runners and you should say hi! i’m salivating over those cupcakes. yum yum yum. i was supposed to make oreo truffles to bring down to texas with me today but last night got away from me so i’ll just have to be enough – without the truffles. happy valentine’s!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..wiaw: what i used to eat
I agree about the union things… runners unite!
I’m sure you’ll be enough for tex although oreo truffles sound like the bomb.com.
Snickerdoodles with buttercream sound delicious! I would prefer them actually because I hate cream cheese. Yum. You can bake for me anytime
And I totally huff out a “hi” when I’m running or an awkward smile. Sometimes people try not to make eye contact though. I wonder if I look creepy or something hahaha
Sarah @PickyRunner recently posted..Real Talk Scary Talk
I wonder that too! I’ve gotten some really strange looks when I’m out running and I always think that I must look really creepy or weird to deserve those looks!
I am not a “waver”. Not sure why. If the person waves at me first I’ll respond but I hardly ever initiate it. I do wave at cars that let me cross the street in front of them, though. I like thanking people who are courteous to runners!
Erin recently posted..Why the F^3 Lake Half Marathon is Great Motivation for Winter Running
I always wave at cars too. So many drivers are not considerate to runners so when I come across someone who is friendly, I like to wave back.
I’m loving the overnight oats recipes! I’ll have to try adding pomegranate the next time I make some. If you’re a Costco member, they have packages of the arils so you don’t have to take them out and the price isn’t too bad. I *always* wave or greet other runners. I don’t know why other people don’t; I think it’s kinda rude. Even if you’re in the middle of a killer tempo run, you could at least nod or move your fingers up into a mini wave. But, even if they don’t respond, I’ll still smile at them and say hi. No V-Day plans for me. Hope you have a great day and get to do something special with Ian!
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted..Lovely Day for a Run
Unfortunately, I’m not a Costco member but that sounds like a great deal!
Haha I always try to smile at people if they don’t wave back but I often wonder what my smile actually looks like… especially if I’m trying to run fast. They probably wonder what expression I’m trying to make.
Happy Vday to you and have a nice afternoon!
I actually do wave to other runners when I see them. I normally kinda scope out to see if they seem like they would be friendly or not.
I’m obsessed with the pomagranates too. I’ve put them into pancakes a few times which have proved to be really tastey.
Hollie recently posted..Red Velvet Pancakes Vlog
I bet they’d be good in pancakes!
I actually got asked out today by a guy friend. However he is in China until next week so we wont be able to have our first date until next week. I love pomegrante arils! I put them in oatmeal, eat them raw, yogurt, cereal, salads you name it! They are so adiciting. I love waving to other runners and smiling at them! Have a fun with your low key date tonight
Thanks Christina! I hope your date goes well next week
I very rarely see other runners down by me, so I always try to acknowledge them with a wave and “hello.” But regardless, I just try to be friendly to everyone I pass! So even when I pass someone walking or on a bike, I try to acknowledge them in some way.
Maggie recently posted..Share the Love
It’s nice to see people being out and active, acknowledging them is a good sign of encouragement.
I’m a POM addict too! You can get two huge containers of arils for $7 at Costco! Get it girl!!
Katy @ Naner-A-Day recently posted..Indecisiveness
Wow! Great deal!
Wow those overnight oats look so delicious! I agree…why do arils have to be so expensive
??
P recently posted..Race Recap: Davis Stampede
It’s so annoying and if you do buy the actual POMs, they’re a lot of work!
YUM! So happy to see a picture of the famous Twitter yogurt.
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..Love Yourself First
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That is a gorgeous city view!
Thanks!