thoughtsday :: 3.28.13

Hi there! This has been quite a weird-o week that I haven't been able to get a good grip on. Between myself being sick, our furnace deciding to give up on life, having a slumber party at my parents, and then my husby getting sick it's all just been a little slippery around here.

Just when you think you have complete control of a situation (which we never do), the blindfold is pulled back over your eyes and you're wearing your mom's snuggly socks taking Nyquil on your parent's couch.

But honestly, it's sort of a good time to have our routine switched up a bit. Sometimes I feel entirely too calculated and type-A with my actions, so it's a nice reminder that I can go with the flow and actually embrace it.

Plus, ain't nothin' got somethin' on mom's fuzzy socks.

Onto some thoughts!

1. Homemade pho: it's the only thing I want when I'm sick, and it is so easy to make! All I did was boil 6 cups of water with one cube of Pho broth, which I found at an Asian store. Once that got to boiling, I added in cellophane noodles, but I'm sure you could easily use any kind of rice noodle. I also added in broccoli and a white onion, cut in thick slices. Once the veggies were done, I stirred in kale and turned the heat off and seasoned it with tons of Siracha.

It soothed my throat like no tea can, and the spice helped make my clogged nose start running, which I actually appreciated. Plus, my woozy stomach was a happy camper because rice noodles are so plain and the broth helped fill me up without making me feel overly stuffed. And now, this is all I have on the brain for dinner. Focus, focus, focus...


2. GARDEN-PLANTING! I have all sorts of big plans for planting a nice-sized garden using both our small entry-space plot of dirt and containers on our back porch. It's a little elaborate but I'm really hoping to pull it off. I read Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" last year and it really resonated with me. I definitely recommend it if you're interested in learning more about eating genuine, salt of the earth, locally-sourced food.

3. Marathon training: I'm hoping it's because my health hasn't been the best the best this week, but I have had zero motivation to go running. Surprisingly, despite being sick I have kept up with my runs, but it definitely required a strong positive mindset and a good dose of caffeine. I feel almost back to normal today, so hopefully tomorrow I will be ready and raring to go. If not, I suppose lack of motivation is another trait of marathon training that I'll have to push through.

Do you exercise when you're sick?

What is a meal or dish that you would rather make at home than go out for?

weekend happenings :: 3.17.13

Friday night Homemade Happy Hour, which was my friends and mine attempt at greatly partaking in Happy Hour while walking away not fretting about how much you really did not need that second hummus platter or glass of Riesling.

Guess what? It was a success! Not so much of a surprise when you get 3 girls together that can chat the roof off any old place while partaking in snackage and vino. We went the healthy route (and failed to plan ahead and do a St. Patty's Day theme) and had homemade red pepper hummus, veggie and bread dippers, a sampling of TJ's dark chocolate, and 2 bottles of wine. I foresee the future success rate for such an activity being 100%.

For future reference, the winner for "Best Taste" went to the Swiss 72% Dark (middle, neon green). This was the only one that had Madagascar Vanilla in it, and twas bomb. The "Best Nutrients but Has Weirdest Coffee Taste" went to the Organic 73% Dark Chocolate (left purple). It was a bit thicker, had less calories and fat, and had a strong coffee taste to it. Unless you have wine that you can swish around after each bite, it might only be good for one square. The Fair Trade Belgian was a little insignificant, and just tasted deliciously dark.

Saturday morning = long run biznass: 14 miles, 1 Vanilla GU, and 0 raindrops.

Saturday afternoon = party hopping: Scott had his aunt's 90th birthday, which was briefly followed by our niece's 5th birthday party, which was followed by dinner at a friend's new house. Like the alert documentor I am, I didn't take any pics of any of these events, but I do have these important three things to share:

1. My sister-in-law will be making all of my children's sweet treats for any of their celebrations. Hers looked a little like this:

2. Portobello mushrooms are really tasty when they're sauteed and stuffed in tacos - even meat-lovers love 'em. How have I not tried this?

3. "Card Against Humanity" is the worst and best game ever. It's R-rated, so be careful.


Sunday for St. Patrick: Included church, errands, and some greenish soup. I use this recipe all the time (seriously, it's SO good) but just use whatever veggies I have in the fridge so it changes weekly. Tonight featured sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and broccoli.

Who ran a St. Patrick's Day race? How did you do? I saw so many fun race pics on Instagram (Instaddicting!) - I'll have to jump in and partake next year.

Did you have any green eats? Beer totally counts.

thoughtsday :: 2.7.13

This week has been very sloooow. On Tuesday, I woke up and thought it was Thursday. Talk about disappointment.

I consider a Thursday a good day. It's not quite Friday, so it doesn't have all the "OMG, it's Friday, what are my plans? I don't have plans? Why don't I have plans" shenanigans, but it still has the "I'm going to hang out and have a glass of wine or 3 because HEY, tomorrow's Friday so who the hell cares" vibe.

Also, I get to watch his lady in action, whom I adore:

Has anyone else heard that this is the last season of Park and Rec? I know I heard it a couple places, but would really like it to be confirmed so I can continue to prepare myself for such a tragedy.

Here are some other thoughts of the day, because believe it or not, I do ponder other things besides wine and Ms. Leslie Knope.

1. WEIRDO WASHINGTON WEATHER. Seriously, Steve Pool is not coming through for me. Check it out:

Tuesday. all day. Wednesday. all day.

 

 

Thursday. all day.

Now, I will happily take Tuesday if it leads to Thursday, but it was a pretty wild transition. And please tell me that picket fence up there isn't overkill. And the sailboats in the background? It's too much. Except yes,  please I would like more.

2. Vegan and gluten-free recipes - they truly can be the bomb.

Exhibit A: Buffalo bean soup with dumplings and cashew cheese. Minus the cashew cheese (ain't nobody got time for that!). The dumplings are key in these bowls of spicy Frank's heaven. Instead of whole wheat flour, I used 1/2 cup sweet rice flour and 1/2 cup almond meal. The recipe tells you to roll them golf-ball sized, but I would roll them smaller so they're easier to get in one squishy bite. Unless you have a big mouth, of course.

Recipe: http://theveganpact.com/2013/01/buffalo-bean-soup-with-dumplings-cashew-cheese/

 Exhibit B: Buffalo cauliflower wing pizza with tofu blue cheese. This right here is where it's at, "it" being my taste buds being blissfully satisfied with 2 days in a row of Frank's. The BBQ sauce was also a great flavor. I had some caulis leftover as a lunch salad topper for the next day and it was great that way, too.The tofu addition was fantastic, except I had to leave out the miso and kelp granules since I'm lazy and didn't have them on hand. Make sure you squeeze out all the tofu water possible, or else your crust might get a little soggy in spots.

Instagram: brittawebb

 Exhibit C: Are there words for these? All I know is a disturbing drooling sensation whenever I remember these are in the kitchen. I think about telling myself to stop after 3, but then I counteract it with "but they're vegan, so God must have put them here for the vegans. Let the vegans eat!" Yeah...what she said.

#3. Valentine's Day. We are not a corny, lovey dovey couple. We love each other to pieces, but there is definitely no elaborate V-Day extravaganza going on in my household next Thursday. However, we do both like to eat, and making food at home is ruled out because I would at least like to be treated by someone else making me dinner since it sure isn't going to be my husband.  So, Thai food it is, and it shall be gastro-mazing.


Do you have any Valentine's Day plans? 

Are you a condiment/sauce lover on all things food?

vegan: athletes and sweet potato soup

No run today!

I did, however, use my energy towards finishing up an informational book about Scott Jurek. Perhaps you've heard of him?

I've been waiting to read this since it came out, and it did not disappoint. I had it on hold at the public library for quite awhile,  and it ended up becoming available at the perfect time. I'm currently trying out a vegan diet, and it was a tad questionable about how I could keep it up when will I begin marathon training at the end of the month. Scott (Mr. Jurek? Dr. Jurek?) cleared up a lot of those woes and made me feel more secure that I will be fine. He incorporates a lot of his personal experience with food and diet in general, which was insightful to read. There are also recipes at the end of every chapter, which I will totally get down with.

Another aspect I appreciated was his discussion of mental strength and the role it plays in running (well, in his case, ultra marathons. I don't think I have enough mental matter to endure one of those). It's such a huge factor in reaching any goal - believing that you can do something, especially when you've put forth the proper training and effort. However, he also realistically describes how sometimes you can't reach your goal, due to one factor or another. When that happens, learn. Do it again. Adjust. Et cetera.

After finishing that, I decided it was time to whip up something using the sad sweet potatoes on the counter that were thisclose to getting thrown away. I saw this Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup recipe in my latest issue of Whole Living, and holy cow, did it deliver. Flavorful, warm, and filling.

Make sure you absolutely do not pass on the cilantro. It is required, and makes it taste just that much better.


Tell me about your recent eats! Anything new and/or delicious lately?

Red Lentil Soup (Vegan | Gluten-Free)

| The Run: A brief 2-miler. I forgot my blaring, neon-yellow vest that shouts at drivers that I'm instructed to wear at night, so I had to head home after 15 minutes so I wouldn't get stuck in the dark. |

Oh, 'tis the season! For soup. Yessir, a nice hearty bowl of this business hit the spot last night. I've been striking out on soup recipes lately, which have lacked a lot flavor despite me feeling like I've loaded them with seasonings.

This recipe from Oh She Glows, though, did the trick. The flavor was perfect, and the whole shebang is quite filling. I used more kale than the recipe suggested since I had it on hand and love the stuff. I bet you could in other veggies too - I bet broccoli, cauliflower or corn would all be great.

In other important news, does anyone out there know of a Christmas Eve day run in/around Kitsap County? I just found out that I get it off work, and would love to spend it racing you. ;) Just kidding, but I would like to get moving before I enjoy myself a nice calorie overload.

Enjoy your night!