You have until TOMORROW but why wait – ENTER THE GIVEAWAY NOW!
It’s November and I’m thinking about beginning my training for the BIG ONE. The race date is April 18th and it seems so far away right now but I won’t take my races lightly. I’m a bundle of nerves running a 5K so you can imagine the anxiety suffered when looking at 26.2 miles ahead of me. I train a little extra than what is expected. It’s beyond my comprehension how some people can run, for example a 15K race when they have only trained for 5 miles. Amazing! I don’t want running to be hard. That’s why I train so much.
Do you typically go over and above what is expected or do you do what you can and hope for the best?
With all that being said, I am enjoying my no pressure runs. But still I like a challenge and the hills and speed work will be challenging. It all officially begins on November 15th. So for now, this is what my “morning wake up call” looked like this Tuesday:
40 minutes on the elliptical
35 minutes of working chest and shoulders. Slow start but felt good in the end.
3.25 run outside, negative split.
From John Fixx
When I think about running, it feels like the best 45 minute investment I make in a day. It’s enjoyable, it makes me feel better, and it’s probably paying dividends way into the future. Running is a really easy choice.
Favorite eats from favorite old restaurants. We celebrated 29 years of marriage bliss between my sister and her hubster, Sam. It has been marriage BLISS hasn’t it, guys???!!!
The Savoy in Rome was the Italian restaurant where we all gathered. That’s Rome, NY by the way.
There was live entertainment
There was great food: Greens
and calamari
and fresh salads (with that OH SO GOOD crumbly bleu)
Super good meals of steaks, chicken…
and my dish: Pan Seared JAIL Island Salmon finished with a coriander and lime pan sauce served with grilled mixed vegetables.
Dylan and Stef were there
Uncle Sammy D …
and of course the happy couple with champagne for all
What a good time. We always have such fun when we get together with family.
A little about the Savoy: Established in 1908 and has been a local favorite for as long as I can remember. The food is good. The staff treat you like family. The live entertainment is enjoyable being background music and not overwhelming the conversation.
The history in photos line every wall. Such an enjoyable establishment. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by 255 East Dominick Street, Rome, NY. The best of the area’s Italian.
Flavor of Fall Muffins
With pumpkin and chocolate, there was not other name to call these delicious little cuties based on a recipe by Foodessa (Chocolate Banana Rum Ricotta Squash Muffins).
- 15 oz Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 of a 15 oz can 100% Pumpkin Puree
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup 100% maple syrup
Mix all of the above in a small bowl and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 F and spray muffin tins (6 large and 12 medium or 24 medium) with non-stick spray.
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup Sweetened cocoa powder or Drinking Chocolate powder *Just make sure it’s sweetened.
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
Mix all of the above in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the following.
- 1/2 cup Canola oil
- 1 cup low fat butter milk
- 3 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
With a spoon, stir to mix the oil – buttermilk mixture into the flour blend. Now add the cheese-pumpkin mixture. Spoon into muffin tins, about 2/3 to 3/4 way from the top of each tin. Bake large muffins 30 minutes and medium muffins 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in middle comes out clean.
Top with just a little decorative frosting or powdered sugar
and, of course, ENJOY!
Those are caramel candy corns. I love candy corns – the original ones are my favorite.
Do you like candy corns…or rather PURE COMPACTED, COLORED CORN SYRUP?
Joanne
Yes, I LOVE candy corn!! Luckily my taste buds have changed and now can only handle a few at a time…..we’ve had an open bag at our house for almost a month! 🙂
Lately I haven’t been training like I should, but once I find my next marathon you better believe I’ll be back to strict training.
I have to hide the corn otherwise it won’t make it a month around me.
These look delicious! Good luck with your training!
Thanks Alicia.
I like the nice and easy time without training for something. Although, I find I can get aimless with a goal to work for.
I *love* candy corn with a big puffy heart! Of course, I only like the good kind made with honey (Brachs). Some candy corn is icky. I have had other flavors, but good straight up candy corn just can’t be beat.
I don’t think I have ever tried candy corn *gasp* 😀
What, blue cheese AND calamari during one dinner? You lucky woman!
I love those muffins. The food looked divine. Desperately adore good Italian family restaurants. I mean my honey cooks great Sicilian at home but sometimes you just don’t want to clean the kitchen after grandma’s meatballs and everything else. That place looks so homey!
Oh, I put your contest on my blog. Great idea!
Your fall muffins are so tempting! I love the chocolate on top! And your family is really beautiful. Congratulations to your sister and her husband…what a celebration! Thank you for sharing your delicious eats with us. I am such a fan of calamari, but I rarely order it because I usually feel a bit queasy afterward…too much grease!
Slap me I almost missed this heavenly babie and this awesome recipe for the muffin, congrat to 29 yr couple! I am not a fan of Savoy unfortunately have always had bad food there. But I have to say this looks great, maybe you have to know what to order there…dont like the sauce at all….oh well we are all different and thats what makes food a universal language…love these muffins and this baby is adorable!
Nice pictures Joanne, Thanks, We had a great time
Life and culinary blogging does not stop with its lovely surprises. I was thrilled to fall upon your twist on my muffin recipe. I shall soon give your version a try. They look incredibly tasty and slightly more sinful ;o) Oh, what the heck…a few more paces on the treadmill shall do the trick.
Although this is really belated…thank you for your sweet reference.
Nice to make this cherished discovery.
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia