I sure hope that title doesn’t get me a lot of mail that freaks me out.  It doesn’t take much.  

The following quote made me wonder, are marathon runners and ultra runners masochists? – or maybe we just like control in any form we can get it?

By Derek Clayton in “The Masters of the Marathon”

I don’t think you can become an outstanding runner unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering.  You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it and – ultimately- overcoming it.

What’s going on at AppleCrumbles that is making us happy?  Here’s the scoop… Hey Lori! Here’s a shout out… guess what kind of bagel tops the pile? ASIAGO CHEESE! *We bought half a doz. but one of those Asiago’s didn’t make it home. Ted, Shane and I couldn’t resist! and YES…even the dog is a fan of Asiago bagels from Panera.

1. A business trip turned out to be a “pleasure cruise” at Panera’s: 1/2 dozen bagels, 2 each of cinnamon raisin, multi grain, and asiago cheese.

2.  A shipment from NutsonLine which brought crystallized ginger for distance running tummy troubles, as well as dry roasted cashews, dry roasted pistachios, and a FREEBIE! some Turkish Figs.

*Did you know that ginger is good for stomach upset?  Keep some with you when you run to ward off tummy troubles.

3.  A much needed delivery from WineTasting

Finally restocked and satisfied!  We’re so happy now.

And good for you eats, a quick and easy dinner based on a recipe from EatingWell.

Orange shrimp and broccoli

• 1 lb raw shrimp, peel, devein and tails off
• 1 1/2 TBS vegetable base (the paste you make vegetable broth from)
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 head/crown of broccoli, washed and cut into smaller florets
• 3 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
• the zest and juice from 1 LARGE orange. *If the orange is waxed, rinse under very hot water and wipe clean before zesting.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Seaweed Gomasio (sesame seeds, seaweed, sea salt) –Optional *OR, simply use plain sesame seeds.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large baking dish (about 11 x 13) with cooking spray. Mix together the vegetable base, vinegar, oil, orange juice and zest, and basil leaves. In your baking dish, add the broccoli pieces and shrimp.  Sprinkle with salt.  Top with marinade and toss to coat. Place into the oven and cook for about 15 minutes, give it a stir once or twice to keep everything coated. When the shrimp is opaque, the dish is done.

*If you enjoy your broccoli a little softer, par boil for 5 minutes, drain and dry really well before adding to the baking dish with the shrimp.

Sprinkle with Gomasio or Sesame Seeds and serve.

Have you ever tried a macrobiotic diet?

This morning as I went into the gym and got on the Elliptical Trainer, I saw “something” scurry around the corner.  “OH NO!”  I gasped.  I left the Elliptical and peeked around the wall. Nothing.  I continued looking into the corner and out he came. “HOW AM I GOING TO CATCH HIM?  I CAN’T STOMP HIM!  IT WOULD MAKE A MESS AND I DON’T WANT TO KILL HIM.”  These were my thoughts… way too early for me to speak out loud, besides, there was no one to hear me.   I didn’t have to worry about catching him nor making a mess since the mouse made himself skinny and slipped under the heater boards.  By the way, I really have no clue whether HE was a SHE.  I’m guessing here.

Hence my purchase from Wal-Mart (yes, another trip to the dreaded store, but the cheapest place for live traps): 

Notice “LIVE”.   I’ll get that little guy with some good peanut butter and then take him down the road.  He’ll just have to begin a new life somewhere else.  If I get more than one (I hope not!!!), I’ll take them to the same place just in case it’s family. 

After Wal-Mart, I treated myself to a cup of Panera’s coffee.  I also bought 2 French Toast Bagels, one for Ted and one for me (misery loves company).  I intend to eat this whooper of a bagel over the course of a few days or at least until my teeth will no longer go through it.  Ted put his in the freezer.  Oh the will power!   

What About Cupcakes?

 I have recipe clippings all over.  They are tucked inside books, on the counter, and in my purse.  Sometimes I just get sick of seeing them.  I picked an easy one to get out of the way first thing this morning that looked interesting.  Since I had the Maraschino cherries out the other day (stealing the juice for my “HURRICANES”), I converted the recipe to incorporate this sweet “pickled” fruit.

Easy Coconut Cherry Cupcakes (based on recipe in PARADE Magazine “1 2 3” by Dorie Greenspan)

• 4 large Egg Whites
• 7 oz Bag Shredded Coconut Flakes
• 1/3 cup roughly chopped maraschino cherries (dry on a paper towel before stirring in)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Whisk the egg whites until foamy.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients one at a time. Do not over mix.

Line 10 to 12 cupcake tins with liners (I got 10 cakes but if you use less batter per liner, you can easily get 12).  Bake for 20 minutes. 

These are heavy little cakes but delicious with the coconut, cherries and the hint of almond.  You’re going to like these so watch out because I make no claims to “healthy” on this one. 

Approx. Nutrition: Helpful Hint = make mini muffins and reduce these values Calories:  263 Protein: 3.5g Carbs: 27g Fat: 16.3g