Thursday, December 22, 2011

Fun Foods and a Show

Today I got in my workout. As I was walking I thought to myself "I would rather be doing something else. Why am I working out?" Then I remembered, simply, because I told myself I would. I decided to watch one of my favorite shows, "Clean House". The old season with Mrs. Nash, I love that women. It was great, but did not distract me as much as I would have liked. However, I think I might take up watching a show over listening to my music once in a while.
For breakfast I made a Snickers Protein Shake. I love making these shakes, especially when I have a craving for chocolate. Lunch was meatless tacos. The filling is a lentil mix that I actually really liked, the boys ate it and even had seconds, Matt ate it but I could tell it was not his favorite. I did add some black beans, which to original recipe did not call for. I like having different things to put in a tortilla. Fast and easy! I also posted a pic of another chicken mixture that is my new fav for tacos. I think I linked it in yesterday's blog. My Brother-in-Law gave me his recipe for Guacamole, holy wow!! It is mash avocado, shredded lettuce, cheese, and a guacamole spice pack. This was amazing! You can also add fresh tomato chopped.

Uncooked tortillas are my favorite! They freeze well and I only make as many as I need.

Lentil Mix

This is to die for! Off of Katie's Blog and I could eat it everyday.

BIL's Guac, Holy Goodness!













Then this evening I decided to go to my happy place and make some goodies. I melted some chocolate and caramel. I am not a big caramel fan so making this fulfills my need to bake, but is not a temptation to eat. However, my husband loves Caramel stuff so he was in heaven. Bless him for being hot and sexy and never working at it. I did take one bite of a finished Graham and it was heavenly, even for a non-caramel lover like myself.
My first batch of chocolate went weird so what did I do with it? Add some heavy cream, of course, and make Truffles. The boys loved them. It took me a while to get the caramel sauce right, but it turn out smooth and fabulous for dipping. I made some caramel/chocolate graham crackers and pretzels. I will also dip some plain chocolate pretzels. Yum!!

Graham Crackers with just Caramel. Only one side has caramel.

Grahams with Chocolate over the Caramel.Chocolate is on both sides.

Chocolate gone wrong makes great Truffles!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Let it Snow

Wow, we got tons of Snow today! It is good I guess and the boys are off for Winter Break now.
I did not workout today. I am trying to follow something Katie said which is basically don't try to make changes you are not willing to do forever. One thing for me is that I would love to have the gumption to workout 6 days a week, but I don't want to, plain and simple. However, I am willing to workout at least 3 days a week. I am not going to set certain days because that throws me off. As long as I get 3 days in right now I am going to call it good.
Food was boring again today. I totally wanted a Green Monster for breakfast but found that my spinach had gone bad, BOO! I gave up at that point and somehow never had breakfast. For lunch I had a chicken taco. I used a slow cooker recipe that is to die for! I seriously love this stuff; it makes great taco/burrito filling or you can eat it by itself. Careful it is addicting! I should have taken a picture since they were so good. I probably eat it again tomorrow. I like to use uncooked tortillas, but whatever you like.
Dinner was grilled cheese. Not just plain 'ol grilled cheese though. I found this new addiction from Katie's blog. This truly IS the best grilled cheese ever. I am hooked on Rye Bread and Olive Oil for these. Tonight I used pepper jack cheese, but the Havarti is so good! You must try this.
That is all for tonight. Tomorrow, I am planning on doing some cooking with the boys and plan on getting a workout in.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Cabbage is Not Rabbit Food

Today was great and full of activity. Just as I think I am going to be a home-body today, life takes a different course.
I walked on the treadmill this morning. I am going to start with walking for a week then switch to jogging. I said I was starting slow! It felt good to be back on my treadmill, like seeing an old friend again.
Nothing exciting happened with food for breakfast or lunch. I was craving a Green Monster all day! Maybe one for dessert tonight.

I love to listen to music while I cook. Normally, I listen to my Josh Groban Pandora station and since it is Christmas time I listen to the Josh Groban Holiday Station! Cooking is relaxing for me and so is music, so I combine the two!
Do you listen to music while you cook?

 For dinner I made Cabbage Casserole. If you have a whole head of cabbage you don't know what to do with, this recipe is great! I find a lot of my recipe's off other blogs or sites. This one came from runsforcookiesrecipes.blogspot.com. This is my friend Katie's blog and has tons of yummy stuff. I tweaked mine a little from her recipe to make a big dish. You can eat this by itself or over rice. (I used Quiona, YUM!)


I shredded some fresh Parmesan over this. Enjoy!

I hope your day was filled with fresh air and yummy food!

First Off

Years ago, when I was about 17, I found a love for running. I ran everyday and could go for miles. I continued to run until I was about 4 months pregnant with my oldest son. Some how I left running behind at that point.
Here I am, 11 years later, and couldn't run a mile if I wanted to! That is going to change. I love reading Running blogs and all the cool things about being a runner. I wanna be Cool Too! So, today I start.....SLOW.
Also, I plan to incorporate my love for cooking. Over the last few months I have come to realize what an unhealthy relationship I have with food. My passion is to cook and run. In talking with my handsome husband, he encouraged me to do a cooking blog. Since I am not the best at blogging, I plan on just combing the 2!
Please, post links to awesome Running or Cooking Blogs that you love!
Let the journey begin!