T/Th

It's back! I am once again moving Beyond Scrambled and eating some sort of egg (fried?). It's my new favorite Tuesday/Thursday breakfast - although I have to say it's not very photogenic (especially with it's friend, Pear-On-His-Last-Leg). 

Speaking of Tuesday/Thursday - such a love-hate relationship. I love getting almost all of my classes out of the way in one day, but hate sitting in class hungry or eating the same granola bar day after day. Plus I like to run right after class, and I prefer to be neither full nor starving for that. I'm packin' a snack today in an effort to curb the hate and go back to loving the T/Th. 

Half Marathon Training Update

Training is moving right along. I switched training plans last week to a Hal Higdon plan that seemed like it would fit my schedule a little better. I am a little apprehensive about veering too far away from a training plan at this point since I don't really know what to expect running longer distances - but sometimes it is unavoidable and Hal seems to get it. 

Sidenote to Mother Nature: No more Snowpocalypse episodes please, I am getting really tired of the treadmill. 

P.S. Check out Helen's new blog: The Bells Are Ringing!

TasteFULL Saturday

It was a great, friend filled day with lots of munchings. It started out with bagel and coffee at work - meh. Lunch and dinner were the real stars today.

Lets start with lunch, which was had at the best deli in the world, Zingerman's, with C, C & G. We had to wait outside for about 10 or 12 minutes to go in (but well worth the wait in my opinion). 

 

I ordered a sandwich I had a few weeks ago when my sister was in town, the "TNT Cowboy Reuben." BBQ Beef Brisket + Coleslaw + Provolone + Onion Rye = :D I told my sister I was going to order it again and she suggested I wear a smock, but I opted for a fork and knife instead (very runny). 

As good as the sandwich was, it was even better to catch up with some great girls. I can't believe how long it had been since some of us had seen each other - we had lots of things to talk about! And the fun just kept on coming when we stopped at The Cupcake Station (I love mini cupcakes!). 

Post lunchtime it was time for my Saturday run - more on that in a minute.

For dinner it was Chipotle with Abby! Abby and I love Chipotle, I think this is the third time we have been since school started in August and surely not the last. 

The food at Chipotle is always fresh, and they have a great story - check it out here. I ordered a Vegetarian Burrito Bowl which included cilantro rice, black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, pico, corn salsa, lettuce and a dollop of guacamole.

Not pictured: Coffee Shake at Potbelly's with Abby.

Half Marathon Training Update

As I mentioned, today was my long Saturday run as part of the half marathon training plan I am following. I ran 60 minutes (just over 5 miles) - I was impressed with myself. It marked some important milestones: the end of my second week of training, my longest run to date, and my first time consuming GU (eww!). All in all it went great, I can't believe how much I have built up my endurance over the past few weeks - although there is still much more to be built - and I feel so much stronger. 

When I got back to school earlier this week one of my first thoughts was how tough it was going to be to stick with my training amidst 17 credits and work. I know it is going to be hard, but on the other hand, it might keep me sane (I'll let you know how that goes ;))

Hope your Sunday brings you rest and relaxation. 

Celebrating the New Year

Welcome 2011! Twenty-ten was a good year full of new experiences, places and faces. That being said it is always fun to start the new year with a "clean slate." I have only made one resolution (more like goal) for this year. . .

To run a half-marathon! The training has started, the race selected, and the cause still undetermined but I have two that I am mulling over and will make that decision soon. I am excited for the challenge, but slightly scared to be attempting it alone. I have been thinking about this goal for a month or so, going back and forth in my head and I have decided that there is no physical reason I can't do this and really only good can come out of it - mentally and physically. And if I am able, I should!


*Mind over matter, mind over matter, mind over matter.*


So, lets get back to what you came here to read about - food, duh. Last night my family and I rang in the new year with some great food and even better friends! We went over to our good friends The Morel's house and celebrated the new year Morel-Curtis-Smith-Shear/Tanoff-LD style.


Here are a few pictures of food and friends from the last night of 2010:

Val's Chex-Mix creation - white chocolate, cinnamon, orange - yum!

Mol, Val and a creeper. 

My (first) plate.

Mrs. Morel's Mulled Cider - must.get.recipe.

P.S. And how can I forget the delicious lunch I had at BC's newest restaurant - Malia. I had the Tortellini Carbonara, so so good. 

Holiday Hustle and New Food Obsessions

It was another fun-filled sister weekend. Molly came for a visit and we enjoyed good food, coffee and grocery store adventures. She also drove me to Dexter to run in the Holiday Hustle sponsored by Running Fit. I just completed the Running 101 class at Running Fit, it was a great motivator and I really enjoyed having a small group to run with.

It was so nice and sisterly of Molly to stand out in the freezing cold weather with me pre-race and while I was running - at which point she got a free coffee thermos, hot chocolate and pictures of ice sculptures. I think we are even now.

This was my third 5K this year. I finished in 34:07, about two minutes faster than my last, and about four minutes faster than my first race. I was hoping to do a little bit better; but considering I had the flu last week and have had a sore throat ever since getting over the flu - I am pretty proud of myself! I think I am ready to tackle some longer distances. . .

Following the race we headed straight for the Whole Foods hot bar - my newest obsession! I can always count on there being some fabulous BBQ pulled pork (something even this mostly-veg-girl can't resist) and at least one sweet potato dish. We shopped around Whole Foods, ooo-ing and ahh-ing, and then headed to the slightly more affordable Trader Joe's for dessert.

TJ's lead me to my second newest food obsession - Joe Joe's, TJ's version of Oreos with all natural ingredients and vanilla beans in the filling! Yum!

Hope you had a great weekend! Any new foods in your life?