With so much running my body seems to have taken on some issues.  Nothing that can’t be fixed. Nothing serious.  Issues that with smart running-recovery, heat and ice can be fixed in no time. 

After the last race, it was time to run easy, no plan, just enjoy the warmer weather with the dogs.  Unfortunately a little hip and shoulder pain has taken some of the fun out of my down time.  I decided to speed recovery up a bit and see a Chiropractor. 

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The first visit resulted in two painful back cracks adjustments and the recommendation to heat my hip area before running and ice afterwards.  This worked.  The heat therapy calms the pain and the ice afterwards help soothe the stress.  As for my shoulder area, still very painful.

The second visit resulted in three adjustments, not very painful and most effective.  I walked away from the office feeling “lighter” all over.  As the day progressed, the shoulder pain came back but this time simply icing is recommended for the shoulder. 

I don’t like being in pain. I’m not good with it.  I get grumpy and Ted gets grumpy because I’m always hitting him up for a massage where it hurts….

Ted:  “Don’t you have a massage scheduled this weekend?!” 

Me:  “Yes but it’s not until this weekend and I need pain relief NOW”

Ted:  “I have better things to do.”

Me: “Like what? You’re just sitting here with me?!”

Ted:  “Yeah but I want to relax”.

Me:  “Relaxing is over rated.  Think of how annoying I am begging you to give me a massage then when you get ticked off  take it out on my shoulder. We’ll both be happy”

As for any kind of training schedule, I’m not getting into that until June.  I need a break.  My body needs a break.  I’ll be putting it through some long and tough runs later this year since I have a “marathon maniacs” schedule of events planned. 

What are you doing this summer? Training or taking time off?

Vegetarian Dinner Selections

Martha Stewart’s Kitchen’s came up with a tasty vegetable spring roll with a very carroty-gingery dipping sauce.  From the book “Meatless”. 

Since I don’t like the texture of rice paper wrappers, I decided to encase my crisp, fresh vegetable slices in lettuce and, as a second choice with protein, in an egg crepe.

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I absolutely loved the dipping sauce but Ted isn’t too keen on ginger so he didn’t appreciate the bold spicy taste.

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Serves 6

  • For the rolls : 6 rice paper wrappers, 8” size or large lettuce leaves (2 per roll) or  large egg crepes (beat 2 eggs with 1 TBS milk per crepe and fry in an oil-free, non stick pan, keeping it flat)
  • 1 red beet, scrub, trim, slice very thin crosswise
  • 1 carrot, peel and cut into matchsticks
  • 1 cucumber, peel and seeded then slice into matchsticks
  • 1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, cut into matchsticks.
  • 3/4 cup grated daikon radish
  • For the sauce
  • 3 carrots – peel and coarsely chop
  • 1 small shallot
  • 2 TBS peeled fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 TBS low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup canola or safflower oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • pinch salt and pepper to taste

If you use the rice paper, soak one at a time in a large bowl of warm water until pliable. Lay out on a clean work surface ready to “stuff”. If you use lettuce, remove hard white ends and lay out so the end of one leaf overlaps the end on the other leaf. You’ll have the full length of two leaves.  If you use the crepe, cook the egg mixture just until done, flipping once and careful not to fold – keep it flat.

To the above, which, at this point is laid out flat on your work surface, add the following to the bottom 1/3’d of the wrapper:

1 TBS sprouts + 3 or so beet slices + some carrot,+ cucumber + bell pepper strips + and daikon (about 1 TBS).

Fold bottom of “wrapper” over the fillings and tuck inside or for the lettuce, you can use a toothpick to hold together.  Do the same with the remaining rolls.

For the sauce:  Puree carrots, shallot, ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, in food processor.  With machine running, drizzle in the canola or safflower oil then a little water to desired thickness.  Taste test and add salt and pepper as needed.  Serve with rolls.

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What vegetables are you growing in the garden this summer?

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Do your weekends pass by way too fast?   

Saturday was such a nice morning, the windows were open, the birds were chirping, and I was so warm and cozy under the covers.  The moment was ruined as soon as Shane discovered I was awake and decided it was time to get up and get out.  With both dogs hooked around my waist, we took off to the golf course for an easy run.  Shane was able to chase the ducks and Zoey was able to run ahead then back, bark at me, and run away again.  We all enjoyed our 4 mile easy run. 

Due to some mess up in communication, Ted wasn’t home by 10:30 for a bike ride so I decided to go myself.  That turned out to be a really good ride for 13 1/2 miles of exploring local roads and maintaining a steady pace of 14 mph.  Since this was my 2nd time on the bike this year I was pleased with my pace.

When I got home just after noon, Ted was home, we grilled pizza, took off with the dogs to Pet Smart then ice cream at Nicky Doodles.  Shane and Zoey both had kiddie size fat free/sugar free yogurt in bowls but split a sugar cone between them. Ted had a whopping great big banana split.  Me?  I had some of both dog’s yogurts before they got their tongues in them and shared the split with Ted.  UH!  Too much rich, sweet food!

Sunday brought in some not so nice weather.  We did manage to get a run in. Ted’s first triathlon is next weekend so he wanted to get at least 6 miles in.  If you count the warm up mile with the dogs to the college, we managed 7 miles before heading out on the bikes for breakfast.

breakfast ride

Wearing my Flying Pig “Porkopolis” Bike shirt, we enjoyed another well deserved breakfast at Boulevard Diner before having to ride home in the pouring, cold rain. It was SO COLD!

Another 13 miles Sunday at a slightly slower pace of 12 mph on average.  So I didn’t get my double distance in on the run or the bike (goal was 8 miles running and 30 on the bike) but this month is down time, a full recovery period, so nothing lost.

Wrapping up Sunday, I wondered where the weekend went?  Getting done most everything we wanted to do and still having extra time but wondering where the hours went.  I expect next weekend will seem to pass equally as fast since half of it will be in Cooperstown for the first Triathlon of the season.  Can’t wait to see how Ted does!  Smile

Easy meals

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Beet Vinaigrette (From Bonappetit.com/recipes)

  • 2 beets – stems cut off, keeping the leaves to sauté as a side dish. *Wash the greens and allow to drain and dry completely in a colander – ready for use later in this recipe.
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 TBS horseradish (*I didn’t have horseradish so I squirted in some red pepper sauce but horseradish would be best)
  • 1 TBS Red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Wrap each beet individually and roast for 1 hour. Peel and slice into 1/4 inch pieces.  Whisk lemon, horseradish, vinegar together. Gradually whisk in the oil. Stir in the beets and set aside.

Fish Fritters

  • 3 small (about 4 –5 oz) Tilapia fillets (skinless, boneless)
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 6 to 8 oz package of smoked fish such as salmon or even white fish (skin and bones removed) – flaked
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 onion chopped small
  • 1/3 cup crushed melba toast (or matzo or crackers…)
  • 2 TBS fresh dill, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425 F.  Place tilapia in a foil lined baking dish and brush with oil. Bake for 10 minutes or until opaque and cooked.  Cool and flake with fork.

In a bowl, put the cooled and flaked tilapia.  Mix in the flaked smoked fish, the eggs, onions, melba toast, dish, salt and pepper.  Mix it all up.

Heat 2 TBS oil in a skillet over medium high heat.  When hot, drop about 2 to 3 TBS each of the fritter mix into pan, cooking 3 to 4 only at a time so you don’t over crowd *depending on pan/skillet size.  Cook 2 minutes per side. Remove to warm plate and keep warm in oven while you cook the next batch, adding more oil to the skillet if necessary.

*If you kept those beet greens, once the fritters are cooked and removed to a warming oven, add a little oil to the hot pan and put in the beet greens. Add salt and pepper and a little garlic powder, maybe sprinkle or two of dried chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes.   Serve under the fritters.

To serve:  Divide the beet GREENS among plates. Top with a fritter and top the fritter with some beet vinaigrette.

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I can’t wait to make easy meals like this again using my new kitchen.  For now, we are STILL under construction so the only meals we are making are in the microwave, toaster oven and the grill.  We’re trying to be creative but it’s getting old and I miss my oven…sink…stove top.

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Bursitis and CNYEats A Taste Of Utica Pistachio Cookies

May 18, 2013

After much research, I’ve concluded that the pain in my hip is bursitis.  I saw a chiropractor and had an adjustment. That helped my aching shoulder and neck. For my hip, he said heat it before you run and ice it afterwards.  That seems to be working.  It felt better after today’s easy run of [...]

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Wild Rice Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

May 15, 2013

I’m still in recovery mode from too many races.  It’s a struggle to let my body heal because I want to get outside and run with the dogs, not for 30 minutes but for an hour or more. The weather has been cool and just perfect for an early morning run.  On the positive side, [...]

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Gluten Free, Lower In Fat, “Sugar” Free Cashew Butter Cookies

May 14, 2013

So many frustrations right now. When I try to run, my hip flat out hurts.  More rest is needed but that’s very difficult when you’re obsessive.  I admit it.   So what do I do?  I continue to run to see if it feels any better.  Today was a slow 3 with Shane then a faster [...]

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Healthy Does Happen in Vegas

May 12, 2013

No, we’re not in Las Vegas although it does sound like a great idea.  I was thinking about being on vacation and absolutely trashing a healthy diet.  Why do we do it?  We can surely find ways to celebrate our freedom from work and other stresses while on vacation other than over indulging.  Plus, there [...]

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