Tag Archives: brussels sprouts

WIAW {10-31-2012}

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Hey guys, happy Halloween!

I’m running a bit behind (I squeezed in a 12-miler before work this morning) so let’s get right to the food, I’ll be showing you my meals from yesterday!
Spooky Snacks and Healthy Halloween Treats

As always thanks to Jenn for hosting!

{5:15 am} Pre-run Snack

Classic date stuffed with sunbutter that successfully fueled me through my 7 mile recovery run on the dreadmill.

{7:00 am} Breakfast

For breakfast I had oats in a jar. I cooked 1/2 cup oats, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1 tsp chia seeds on the stove until it started to boil. Then I added in 1/2 mashed banana and 2 T PB2. The oats came out tasting nice and peanut buttery and tasted great in the dark chocolate dreams jar!

When I got to work at 9, I drank some coffee with almond milk and stevia.

{12:00 pm} Lunch

I had some leftover soup from last week (it’s still good so I’m still eating it!) with half an avocado sliced on top. The two didn’t really go together but the avocado definitely cooled off the soup a bit. Plus, I’m under the impression the avocado (and hot sauce) make everything better :) .

I finished off lunch with two mandarin oranges.

{3:30 pm} Snack

My stomach started to grumble around 2 but I put off eating anything because I thought I was dehydrated. Half of a bottle of water later + a Vitamin Water later it was still grumbling so I had a mini Larabar that I got at the Chicago Marathon expo.

{7:00 pm} Dinner

I’ve been loving these huge fall-inspired salads. The one above is actually from Monday night and is loaded with a baby spinach/baby kale mix, sliced mushrooms, mandarin oranges, roasted brussels sprouts, walnuts, and dried cranberries.

The one I had last night had a base of steamed kale and was topped with mushrooms, roasted brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, walnuts, and TJs light champagne vinaigrette dressing.

Both of these salads were delish and I actually struggled to finish mine last night.

{7:45 pm} Dessert

I mixed pumpkin, Life’s Essential Protein powder, and pumpkin pie spice together and crumbed in a piece of dark chocolate with ginger. I served it with an almond butter spoon.

What are your favorite salad toppings? Mine change pretty regularly but right now I’m loving roasted veggies — particularly brussels sprouts.

Have a great day!

WIAW {10-24-2012}

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It’s time for another What I Ate Wednesday and today I’m going to show you my eats from yesterday (Tuesday). For more information and/or to link up, check out Jenn’s blog Peas and Crayons!
Spooky Snacks and Healthy Halloween Treats

Let’s get to it!

{5:10 am} Pre-run Snack

Before heading out for my 10 mile run, I had a medjool date stuffed with mocha peanut butter and sprinkled with salt and a little almond milk (unpictured). I’ve started salting my nut butters before longer runs to counteract the fact that I’m a salty sweater and don’t drink sports drinks while I’m running. I also accidentally bought a jar of unsalted almond butter and in adding salt to make it palatable realized I like my nut butters salty. No shame.

{7:15 am} Breakfast

It’s been really warm and humid in Chicago so after my run all I wanted was something cold, no oats, waffles, or breakfast bakes for me! I ended up making a recovery smoothie with 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen berry blend (TJs), 1/2 scoop Life’s Basics Plant Protein, and maybe 3/4-1 cup almond milk. I also had a rice cake with Naturally Nutty Pepita butter and raisins for crunch. This was a perfect post-run breakfast :) .

{11:45 am} Lunch

I really tried to make it to noon to eat lunch but my stomach started growling loudly in my cube around 11 and eventually I gave in and dug into lunch early. I had leftover quinoa taco salad with veganaise and hot sauce and I have to say I think it was better the second time around!

I also had some huge grapes.

{3:30 pm} Snack

Yesterday was a hungry day and by 3:15 I was starting to feel like I needed something to eat. Knowing that I needed to run some errands after work, I snacked on a pear around 3:30.

{7:00 pm} Dinner

Dinner last night was super easy and really tasty. First, I made this roasted brussels sprouts and apples side dish and then I heated up the last of the TJs sweet potato bisque soup. The brussels sprouts were awesome (even Ian had some!) but the soup was just okay, I had to doctor it a bit with spices/hot sauce and I’m not sure I’d buy it again.

It’s hard to take a pretty picture of soup.

After dinner I spent a good chunk of time looking at and eventually booking our hotel for the Goofy Challenge (woohoo). We managed to get a pretty good deal and planning the trip made me realize that it’s actually happening. I’m so excited!

{9:00 pm} Dessert/Snack

I wanted a little something more than just a piece of chocolate or fruit so I attempted to make muesli by mixing oats, sunflower seeds, walnuts, banana slices, chocolate covered walnuts, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and almond milk in a little dish. It wasn’t quite muesli but it was pretty tasty.

After dinner, Ian and I both filled out our absentee ballots and relaxed for a bit before heading to bed. Being productive in the evenings after work is exhausting :P .

Do you normally have a snack after dinner? What do you like to have? 

Ramblings

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Yesterday started off beautifully. In honor of National Running Day, I headed out for a 7 mile run. I tried to let my body run naturally and avoided looking at my Garmin. I ended up falling into a rhythm and averaging a 7:48 min/mile. I finally feel like I’m getting my running legs back.

For breakfast I tried a vegan overnight oats recipe that Betsy left in the comments. I followed her recipe but also added in a drizzle of honey for sweetness.

Topped with 1 tsp almond butter. It was awesome!

Lunch was another Chipotle knockoff bowl topped with guac and snacks for the day included two plums, one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.

My lunch was much more substantial than usual but I still arrived home famished. Good thing dinner was easy to throw together. I cut up some brussels sprouts and roasted them in the oven at 375. I also cooked a tilapia filet on the stove top.

Honestly guys, I think this is my first time cooking fish of the non-shellfish variety. After throwing it on the pan I had a mini panic attack that I should have seasoned it with something. Not knowing what else to use, I seasoned the tilapia with Old Bay. I mean the label says to use it on fish right? It was tasty (or it had flavor) but I’m sure I can do better.

Dessert was a pumpkin muffin crumbled into a glass topped with walnuts, rice milk, and a pistachio butter spoon.

When I tried 365′s rice milk last year, I absolutely hated it so when my doctor suggested I drink rice milk I immediately asked if I could use almond milk instead. Well last weekend I only needed to buy a smaller portion of milk and was looking at the unrefrigerated milks (I usually buy TJs almond milk from the dairy section) and noticed TJs had a rice milk. On a whim I decided to give it another college try, and guess what? I really liked it! Maybe even more than almond milk? Hmm… I wonder why they’re so different.

Also, earlier this week, the sweet Alyssa of peanut butter and oatmeal nominated me for a Reader Appreciation Award. I love to fill out these questionnaires but don’t always like asking other to do so. I figured I’ll nominate all of you: either post it to your blog and fill it out or feel free to comment on this post with your answers.

1. What is your favorite color?
I really don’t know if I have a favorite color but I definitely gravitate towards blues and greens.

2. What is your favorite animal?
If you’d asked me this a year ago I would have answered differently but I’m going to have to say cats. It’s not like I’m biased or anything :P

3. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Probably kombucha, I love the Synergy’s gingerberry flavor!

4. Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter?
I just got started on twitter (@runningwindycty) but I think I prefer it to facebook. For some reason I got sick of facebook about a year ago. Maybe I’ll start to like it more again someday but I haven’t yet!

5. What’s your favorite pattern?
I really like plaid things and interesting antique-y prints like our placemats.

6. Do you prefer getting or giving presents?
Both equally. When I have a good present for someone, I really like giving it to them but when I can’t think of what to buy someone the whole situation just becomes stressful. P.S. who doesn’t like receiving presents?

7. What’s your favorite number?
43 or 7 (4+3), I’m not sure why…

8. What is your favorite day of the week?
Saturday, specifically Saturday morning when you know you have two full days ahead of you without having to work or go to school. I love feeling like there are so many things that you could do.

9. What is your favorite flower?
I don’t know that I have a favorite flower but I think tulips and sunflowers are really pretty!

10. What’s your passion?
Verdicts out on this one. I love running and I love being active but I don’t know that I would be happy without challenging my mind academically. I also really like food, nutrition, and research so we shall see where life takes me!

I’m off to a busy day including a fun run and book signing with Scott Jurek and Chris McDougall of Born to Run!

Back in the Groove

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Happy Friday :) . I still have some posts that I’d like to write about my trip to Boston and the marathon (specifically my final thoughts on deferring and my Q&A with a Gatorade GSSI scientist) but first I thought I’d check in and give you all an update on what I’ve been up to since getting back from the trip.

Well, first school’s been incredibly busy. I arrived at home right at the start of exams and have already taken my first final (yesterday) and finished my thesis presentation and abstract (I present next Wednesday). Whew! Unfortunately, the good stuff just keeps on coming and I have an exam & three presentations next week (and my birthday) followed by three papers the following week. Craazy!

I’ve also been focusing on cleaning up my diet. I left Boston feeling lethargic and kind of gross, I mean I ate a lot of not so healthy foods. I totally don’t regret any of it but I want to go into finals and the summer feeling my best. In particular I’m focusing on how processed foods, sugar, gluten, and dairy products (milk & cheese) make me feel. I’ve decded to do my best not to eat them for the next week (except for Monday because I want to celebrate my birthday ;) ) and then start to add them in one by one to see which may be causing my stomach aches.

I’ve been starting my morning with a smoothie. Generally I use berries, almond milk, a banana, and maybe some ground flax.

Topped with gluten free oats. Did you know beer glasses can double as awesome smoothie glasses?

I also made a huge batch of roasted tofu, tricolor quinoa, green beans, and kale that I’ve been eating for lunches or dinners. I’ve been so busy with school, its nice to have pre-made food in the apartment.

I also made an awesome dinner last night. I roasted tempeh and brussels sprouts while cooking the last of an old bag of farro. I then layered them on a plate and spritzed everything lightly with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.

It was so good! I may have to run out and buy more faro this weekend :)

I’ve been snacking on lots of fruit (apples, berries) as well as dried fruit (figs, dates). I know that the dried fruit has lots of sugar, but as far as I can tell, the ones I’ve been eating have no added sugars, so I’m okay with it.

My stomach is actually feeling a lot better eating this way. I miss yogurt and cottage cheese a lot but I really want to figure out what’s going on with my body and a week without some of my favorite foods is only a week.

I’ve also been running pretty consistently. I’ve devoted myself to rebase training and am focusing on increasing the number of days per week that I run. I’m starting at a low 20 miles per week (still more than I ran the past 6 weeks) and by increasing my mileage no more than 10% per week I’m hoping to reach 40 miles by the end of May. My main goal is to avoid injury so I’m not worried about time at all, just waking up my muscles and reacclimating to running. Luckily I have some shorter distance races and a triathlon (maybe 2) to keep my mind off of long distance racing for awhile.

I hope to increase my mileage to about 55 by the end of the summer and then start marathon training- woohoo!

And thats about it over here- what have you been up to this week? Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

 

WIAW: A Hungry Day

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Yesterday was one of those weird days where I just couldn’t get enough food. I’ll most likely pay for it today with a subdued appetite. Its weird how our bodies work isn’t it?

After being unable to go for a run, I walked home, foam rolled, and made a variation of this light strawberry chocolate smoothie for breakfast. I topped the smoothie with gluten-free granola for crunch.

With all of my extra non-working out time, I managed to get some homework done before work at 10 a.m., at least I was productive right? {P.S. Hiii Sonic.}

My light breakfast didn’t last me very long and by 10:30 a.m. I was reaching for Annie’s Sour Cream and Onion Bunnies at my desk.

Lunch was my leftoverTofu and Mushroom noodles from The Slurping Turtle. I really like them the first time but thought they needed some spice so yesterday I doused them in siracha sauce. It was much better.

This bowl looks huge but its basically all broth.

There’s mass training going on in my office right now and every couple of days they cater in lunch. Around 2:30 I was notified that there was leftover salad in the kitchen and as my lunch was lacking on the veggie-front, I made myself a plate of salad and hummus as an afternoon snack

After work I headed over to class and then booked it home so that I could fit in a workout with Ian. I had a few bites of a pumpkin muffin and half of a date before leaving for the gym.

Because my leg was bothering me earlier, I was very careful not to overdo it and used one of the low-impact adaptive motion trainer machines for 45 minutes at about 75% my usual intensity.

(source)

It was quite an experience, I kind of felt like I was walking on the moon :P

Dinner was the usual Tuesday-themed variation of pizza (bubble up pizza last night).

I made half with sausage for Ian and then half with crumbled tempeh and hot peppers for myself (mines marked with brussels sprouts).

I also sauteed brussels sprouts in pepper and south african smoke seasoning blend (new from TJs).

I had a hefty serving of sprouts and about 1/3 of my half of bubble up pizza.

Dessert was a few small spoonfuls of chocolate avocado pudding and a mini Cheryl’s sugar cookie that my Dad and Step-mom sent to Ian and me as an Easter present.

I ended up crumbling everything together :P

The rest of my night was spent with homework, laundry, and then the X-files.

Do you have days when you’re just hungrier than others? Why do you think that is?

*Thanks again to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting!