Realignment Exercises and Radicchio with Dates, Garlic, and Sunflower Seeds

Monday was a glorious day! Expecting rain and high winds, no such thing. It was 44 degrees (that’s a heat wave in Utica this time of year!) and winds at about 15 mph, not non-existent but manageable. Shane and I had a great run. I warmed up with 6 on the mill and finished with 5.35 with my doggy partner. The roads were clear and it was indescribably nice running in the warmer air. Hallelujah! Sure there was discomfort but the ease of snow free roads made a ton of difference. Don’t you just love it when everything goes your way?

One more reason I might have had such an energized run, I ate ½ a banana with PB PLUS, before heading out for another 5 plus miles, I had a Clif Gel. That will teach me to pay attention to my running fuel!  11.35 miles on Monday. 

Tuesday:  It wasn’t so great outside, cold and slick.  Logged 8 miles total.

My first day with the P.T:

I had no idea what to expect. Was he going to lay me on a table and pull/push my leg one way or another? Was he going to make me do endless amounts of hamstring exercises? Would he analyze my running form? He did the first and sent me home with four exercises.

I have a very slight pelvic tilt. The P.T. says it may make the leg feel a bit better for Saturdays Half and, as long as I don’t do any sprints, I shouldn’t hurt it any worse. YAY!

Runners quote:

We runners are all a little nutty, but we’re good people who just want to enjoy our healthy, primitive challenge. Others may not understand running, but we do, and we cherish it. That’s our only message.
-John J. Kelley, Olympic Marathoner

It’s been a while since I cooked with this wonderful red cabbage looking veggie. It’s a little bitter but cooked correctly, it’s amazing! You see it more often in salads than as a hot veggie.

Combining a bitter vegetable with dried fruits such as dates or, if you prefer, figs, offers such a rewarding combination of bitter-sweet. With the delicate crunch of sunflower seeds, this is one side dish you’ll want to make over and over again.

Serves 4

· 1 large head Radicchio, coarsely chopped

· 1 TBS olive oil

· 1 garlic clove, minced

· ¼ cup pitted dates, chopped

· 2 TBS sunflower seeds

· salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil over medium high heat and sauté the radicchio for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the dates and seeds, salt and pepper and continue cooking about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

That’s one side dish that packs a lot of good nutrition.