The alarm went off an hour later than normal for a weekday. It was plenty of  time to get Shane out and go 4 or 5 miles. Preferably 5 miles to crank up the weekly total. That should put me within my weekly mileage goal of 50 after the 5K race tomorrow.  I’ll run my warm up 2 miles with Shane then the Rome Race and kiss this weeks running good bye. Hallelujah.

I switched off the alarm and contemplated my motivation to run. It was Friday. It was a short run.  Oh what the hay… just do it!  There was still some procrastinating when I reached the kitchen.  Although I have about 5 different visors, I JUST HAD to have the one in the dryer.  So I folded clean laundry in order to find my hat.  Shane needed water. Filled up his bowls.  Ted lost the cap to the poop-bag holder on one of Shane’s leads.  I swapped out the holder for a new one.  Cut a banana in half and got out the PB.  Decided not to eat the banana but go for 1/2 a dose of ACCEL Gel.   Basically, all the lolly-gagging around put me out the door at 5:15am.  

Today’s run was easier because it was a lot cooler AND shorter. Yesterday, when I headed out it was 73 and humid.  Today it was 61, no humidity.  I have such a horrible burn on my torso from the sports bra.  UGLY!  It didn’t bother me today.  Surprising since it was killing me all day yesterday!   

It’s so nice being that comfortable to share my naked white belly will you all.

Speaking of yesterday’s disappointing run, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the words of confidence and understanding.  It means so much and really gets a person thinking.

In further evaluation, I realized that an E-Drenaline wasn’t taken.  Maybe I’m totally caffeine addicted and need more than 20 mg to keep me going.  I hate to admit it but…

“Hello. My name is Joanne and I am a Caffeine-aholic”.

As for last night, I was planning to hit the sack at about 8 pm. Instead, we watched the move:  Stolen. 

Can’t say I liked it. It was disturbing.  The story was about a police officer whose child was kidnapped years ago. Then it shoots back in time to when another little boy was stolen.  The story develops into the connection between the two.  It was slow to get going and there was no real climax.  However, we typically rate a movie according to how many times we drift off to sleep. This one had 2 snores from Ted and none from me…Maybe because Josh Lucas is so darned cute!

Grande Grains

What a discovery!  I told you about the millet Pam introduced me to. When I was buying the millet, I found this interesting cereal from Bob’s Red Mill

So nutty!

Whole grain hard red wheat, long grain brown rice, oats, rye, triticale, barley, kamut, buckwheat, sesame seeds.

This was a wonderful substitute for oats.  It didn’t leave me feeling over stuffed. It was sweet and I didn’t need peanut butter.

• 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Grande Grains
• 1 cup water
• 1 TBS Craisins
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Bring to a rolling boil, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.  It takes a little longer than oats.

Ted and I discovered a new coffee shop:

Java Chalet

Cute outside seating area

Assorted teas…

…. Ted dressed for work…..

An assorted menu and they serve lunch! 

Coffee, as admitted above, I’m a caffeine addict, must be on the strong side for me. However, it has to be smooth with no trace of bitterness.  The Java Chalet coffee was good. I give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.  Fortunately for me, they had Stevia.  Unfortunately for Ted who prefers Splenda.

The Java Chalet is located on French Road, New Hartford.

A week of struggling to get out of bed.  Burned out. Winter blues.  Call it what you will, it was really tough getting out of bed and into the gym this week.  All workout plans were completed, no let downs there. It was just a struggle during the first part of the week. Hate that!  BUT… this is what happened today (Thursday)…

Got up to do my 30 min. Elliptical + 30 min. weights + 3 mile run with Shane.  I took this as an experiment instead of my usual all natural fruit energizer:  Everlast E-Drenaline.

I was a bit reluctant because of the caffeine, but I wanted to see if it would be a good option for the run on Saturday.

While on the E.T., my left ear got hot. No biggy, but then I felt really good. I went for 35 minutes.  The weights were a breeze and I did 35 minutes of weights.  Running?  Gosh I felt GREAT!  Shane and I ran 4.26 miles and I felt like I could have gone for 10! 

After the workout, I was still in “great rush”mode and got a load of laundry in and out of the wash and vacuumed the dining rooms.   My drive into work was wide awake and the whole morning was crystal clear. What a feeling!

It had to be the E-Drenaline and NOT this strawberry that I’m SURE they injected with growth hormones:

Since I did down the caffeine earlier, I was a bit nervous about how much coffee to consume but couldn’t go without my usual AM cup so I used a mild blend.  It was too milky and weak.  But why push it.

Do you take any Energy Aid to fuel your workouts?

Saturday is the Heart Run.  The plan is the 10 mile run.  The weather looks like it’s going to be mild and clear.  There is no chip timing, it’s just a fun training run to help a good cause.  No nerves, right?  Wrong!  10 miles will be my longest run in a group/race situation.  Even though it isn’t “technically” a race,  you just can’t help getting into that competitive mind set. 

NOW THE BEETS:

Good healthy eats for good healthy exercise:  For more nutritional information on beets, see my post at EXAMINER.

Do you sometimes crave that salty, crisp taste of potato chips but know that they will really ruin your healthy eating endeavors?  A great substitute is to roast vegetable chips.  Lower in fat and high in nutrients.

The Beet is a perfect vegetable to introduce to the family. 

Although the following recipe might not produce a crispy “chip” it does offer something so appealing to the taste senses:   Sweet and Salty (you can regulate just how much salt you want).  It’s sweet, earthy flavor will delight even the youngest mouth. 

The fresh beet will keep for weeks under refrigeration and about 1 week once cooked. 

Scrub it well.  Leave about 1” of stem on the beet bulb which will minimize staining.  For most recipes, you can peel after cooking but not for the recipe below.  Bake, roast, fry, braise… so versatile, the choice is yours.

Recipe for Roasted Beet Slices and Carrot Strips:  Serves 4

It is recommended you purchase a pair of plastic food handling gloves available at the local food store unless you don’t mind pink fingers for a day or so.

• 1 Bunch Fresh Beets, about 3 bulbs – Peel, wash and slice about 1/8 to 1/4”
• 1 cup Shredded Carrots
• 4 TBS Canola Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• You can also sprinkle any other seasoning you like such as garlic powder, onion powder, curry….etc.

Preheat oven to 425 F.  Line a large baking tray with foil.  You need to spread out in a single layer so use two baking trays if you have to. 

• Spread the oil on the tray(s).  Add the prepared beets and carrots.  Add the salt, pepper and any additional flavors and stir around to coat evenly.
• Put into the oven for about 8 – 10 minutes then turn/toss around and return to oven for about 8 – 10 minutes more.

Once again, a simple reminder about the Hershey Chocolate Giveaway.  Already entered? Not to worry, you can enter once per day.

For a Restaurant Review of the newest in town, The Asian Bistro & Grill, see my link at EXAMINER!  TERRIFIC!