I HATE IT when that happens:  forgetting to set the alarm.  As you know, I had my workouts planned for the week.  Tuesday morning, if I got up at 4 am, I would have time to ride the bike for 45 minutes, lift weights, and run for 30 minutes with Shane.  At 3:15 I woke up and hated that I had to use the bathroom only to get back into bed for 45 minutes longer.  I thought I’d lay awake until the alarm went off but the next thing I knew, Ted was up and dressed.  I looked at the clock:  5:07 AM   OH NO!  This totally screwed up my plan. 

I got up but my my legs were really sore from Mondays leg workout (funny…I didn’t notice it at 3:15???).  Shane and I went for a 40 minute fast paced walk.  When we got home, there was time to do a quick back and bicep workout.  As Tuesday progressed, my legs got more and more sore and stiff.  I was actually going to get that 30 minute run in after work but because of the way my lower body was hurting, it was probably a good idea to pass.

Today/Wednesday: Ran 1 hour 11 min. at an ave. pace of 9.43.  No weights today. My quads and hams were still sore but running through it didn’t seem to be a problem.  Another good morning for a run. 

Are you flexible or inflexible when it comes to your workout plan?  I dwelled on the fact most of the day that I missed my planned workout.  It REALLY bugged me.  Guess I’m pretty inflexible.

Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins

It took me years to appreciate spinach.  As a raw salad green, it wasn’t crisp enough.  Sautéed, it was soggy and flavorless.  Then my taste buds matured.  Spinach has become a daily requirement in my diet.  The thing about spinach is that you need to add a little healthy bit of vitamin C to help reap the total benefit of calcium and iron.  This is because the dark green leafy vegetable contains oxalic acids which tend to block the absorption of iron.  The oxalic acid content increases when cooked.

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Spinach is a “power” food, not because of the reputation Popeye gave it but because it’s packed with essential nutrients which, if eaten daily, will help to reach the RDA for calcium, iron, folate, Vitamin A and more. All the essentials for maintaining healthy bodies ( strong bones, immunity from disease, a healthy heart, and good eye sight).

1/2 cup of spinach = 1 serving (source: Lifescript)

Nutrition in 1/2 cup cooked spinach

  • Calories = 21
  • Fat = 0
  • Carbohydrates = 3 g (2g dietary fiber)
  • Protein = 3 g
  • RDA’s:  122 mg calcium (12%); 133 mcg folate (33%); 3 mg iron (30%); 419 mg potassium (*no RDA for potassium);7,371 IU Vitamin A (147%-184%)

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Sautéed spinach with pine nuts and raisins

  • 3 TBS olive oil
  • 12 oz. spinach (Use frozen, partially defrosted otherwise you will need A LOT of fresh spinach) *Fresh spinach will cook down to about 1/3 it’s original size.
  • 2 oz. (1/2 cup) Pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1 to 2 TBS lemon juice (up to you and your taste preference)
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Heat the oil over medium high heat and, when hot, add the spinach.  Cook for about 3 minutes. 

Add the raisins, pine nuts, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly otherwise the pine nuts and raisins will burn. Add the lemon juice and cook 1 more minute.

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ENJOY!

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