First Snowy Run of the Season

We've had a few light flurries this fall, but when I woke up this morning it was the first time I had seen snow on the ground this season. It's too early for a really heavy snowfall, but even if there was I wasn't too concerned because I had only scheduled 6 kilometers for today.

Usually I'm an early riser, but this weekend I haven't been able to pull myself out of bed until 10 or 11. As I was figuring out what I was going to eat, my boyfriend got up and made me pancakes. I don't think it's a typical pre-run breakfast but it might be my favourite.



My run went really well. I'm taking it easy because I'm forever working through IT band issues, but the conditions were great. Once it gets snowier and icier I won't be able to run through my favourite paved trails anymore (the city doesn't maintain and if I slip the creek is too close for me to feel comfortable), so I'm taking advantage of them while I can. The pavement is too warm for the snow to stick, but the trees looked beautiful.

Side note: I'm really hoping I get a hat with a ponytail hole for Christmas because I hate braiding my hair for running.

I drank a small banana and peanut butter smoothie while I started to prepare some meals for the week, followed by hot water with lemon, honey, ginger, and echinacea, and a bowl of alphabet soup. I usually try to make my own soup instead of eating stuff from the can, but I`ve discovered Amy`s at my grocery store and I`m falling in love!

Question: How do you like to fuel pre and post run?

Homemade Almond Milk

OI'm going to file this under "Things That Are Absolutely Amazing." I made homemade almond milk and it's the most fantastic thing I have tasted.

I hated dairy milk growing up. Despite being a meat eating family, my father always maintained that drinking dairy milk is unnatural for humans so we only really used it for cereal (which I usually ate dry as a child) and in recipes. Unlike most of my friends, I was never forced to finish a glass of milk before I could leave the dinner table. I'm thankful for this because a glass of milk just makes me feel queasy.

When I discovered almond milk I fell in love. It became a base for my smoothies, replaced regular milk in my cereals, and I've even come to crave a glass of almond milk once in a while. Weird, huh?

I decided to make almond milk on a whim. Most recipes on Pinterest were the same so although I cannot take credit for this, I don't really think I have anyone else to credit either. Let's chock this one up to the universe.

1. Soak one cup of raw almonds overnight (6-8) hours

2. Drain and rinse almonds.
3. Place in a blender with 3-4 cups of water depending on how thick you want the milk. Blend on high for a few minutes until creamy.

4. Place a nut bag or cheese cloth over a large bowl, close at the top, and pour the mixture through the bag.
5. Squeeze! Squeeze all of the liquid out and pour into a resealable container.

Bonus: I added in a dash of vanilla but I think next time I might blend a date or two into the mixture instead.

To be honest, I personally did not find that making my own almond milk was any cheaper than buying it from the store... nor was it much pricier. However, homemade almond milk is definitely tastier! I might try experimenting with other nuts to see what delicious milks I can make.

Have you ever made your own nut milk? What flavours do you like to add? 

Run or Dye

Today is my mom's 48th birthday and instead of sleeping in, she kicked it off with a fun 5K.

After running Color Me Rad twice, as decided to try Run Or Die because it was being held in our city. It was nice not having to travel into Toronto for once. 

I love the idea of colour runs. Nothing makes me happier than seeing other people discover the love and fun of running.

I think I prefer Color Me Rad: Slightly more organized with more volunteers to throw paint, wider paths for running and passing, and the paint seemed to wash off easier (my mom's blonde highlights are streaked with pink and green while my left cheek and hairline is also a bright pink). 

However, it was the first year held in Oshawa so it's likely issues with path width and whatnot will be fixed for next year.

I also had issues with my sinus infection. I thought I was mostly over it but I found myself having trouble breathing and feeling really mucus-y. Although I had to stop and walk a few times, it made me slightly happy to confirm that the decision to hold off on my long-runs has been the right one.

I'm so proud of my mom. Her running only began early this year and she's already training to run a half-marathon with me this fall. I am completely inspired.

Side note: check out this awesome and extremely decadent chocolate, peanut butter cake I made for my mom. Seriously amazing.

Soup for the Soul

Despite my three weeks of rest I am still a wreck. This sinus infection is kicking my butt and all I want is comfort food. Seriously. My co-workers bought donuts to celebrate the second last day of my contract and I ate two of them. I'm not regretting that but I knew I needed to find something somewhat healthy for dinner before I could dig into any more junk.

My sister has also been under the weather and began an elimination diet a couple days ago to see if she could find the source of her health problems. She has to cut out wheat, dairy, some meats, some fruits and vegetables, alcohol, processed sugar, caffeine, and likely other things I'm forgetting. Only a couple of days into it and she's struggling to figure out a way she can change up her meals.

Soup was the most obvious choice. Simple, healthy, and comforting, it's one of my favourite things to make because I don't have to follow a recipe. Today I made an easy vegetable soup.

After grabbing just a few items I didn't have at the grocery store, I came home from work and immediately began prepping. I chopped onion, carrots, celery, a potato, and cauliflower. Warming some olive oil, I sauteed the onion with minced garlic until the onion was translucent. Next I added in the potato for five minutes before adding the celery, carrots, and cauliflower.

The potato didn't fully cook but that would be fixed later. Once the vegetables were tender I stirred in some dried basil, dried oregano, and dried parsley flakes before pouring low-sodium vegetable broth to fill the pot. Everything was free-poured and to taste... no measurements were needed.

I brought the soup to a boil (after wondering for five minutes why it wasn't boiling and then realizing I hadn't turned up the heat) and then lowered the soup back to a simmer for half an hour. The boiling and simmering cooks the vegetables, like the potato further. I also cooked some brown rice to mix in.

I've made "this" soup so many times but switching out different vegetables depending on what I felt like or what I had on hand. Other awesome options would have been zucchini (which my sister doesn't like), corn, or tomatoes (both a no-no on her elimination diet).

Making soup has me excited for the cooler weather. Last year I made soup almost weekly and I can't wait to experiment with new recipes this fall.

What are your go-to comfort foods?

Farmers Market Haul

I love the Farmers Market. Most Saturdays, barring any pressing plans, I get up early and drive to the only local, weekend market. This week probably had the best variety I've seen. For the first time my mom came with me and it was awesome because I could leave with more bags than usual!

First we fawned over some baked goods. I get croissants every week from the same stall (if they aren't sold out) and they are must-have. We also picked up a whole wheat/flax seed/pumpkin seed/cheddar baguette, and a lemon tart and a raspberry hazelnut tart.

 

Then I stopped at my favourite produce stall for some amazing looking blueberries and raspberries. The selection of other produce wasn't great so we stopped at a second and picked up the ripest cantaloupe, a huge carton of peas, heirloom carrots, and a green pepper. 

We also grabbed some fresh donuts at a donut stand. Every week I make sure to bring my mom and sister home a donut as a little tread so this week my mom was on the lookout for this booth. I ate a lemon poppyseed donut too quickly for a picture but my mom's cinnamon sugar survived.

I also somehow got roped into buying some king oyster mushrooms from the mushroom booth. I love mushrooms butter experiences with different varieties is limited so it will be interesting to see how I use them.

What are your Farmers Market must-haves? Do you have other Saturday traditions?

Iced Coffee Obsessed

Surprisingly, I love iced coffee. I'm not a huge coffee drinker besides the occasional latte from Starbucks, but as soon as the heat hits I get this thirst for iced coffee that can never be quenched. Unfortunately, this habit gets expensive over three-ish months. Now, I've been trying to make it myself on the days I really need a pick-me-up.

I've seen this easy recipe on a ton of blogs so credit goes to everyone but myself. All I do is wake up, brew an espresso in my Tassimo, let it cool while I get ready, mix it with a cup (or more) of almond milk, and a dash of sugar. We have a ton of reuseable travel cups for both hot and cold drinks in my house so I usually just throw it in one and head out the door.

I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner just how simple iced coffee could be.

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than a big plate of fruit for breakfast as I sit in bed and catch up on my favourite blogs... except cherries on sale for $1.88/pound. 

Farmers Market Lunch

I woke up this morning to my needy fur baby looking for some love. No one in my house got out of bed until nearly 10am and sleeping in drives me insane. Him, too. All he wants is love from everyone. 

Like most Saturday mornings I headed over to the Farmers Market. Fresh corn, basil, blueberries, pears, and fresh baked goods. There are few things I love more than coming home and digging into a big bowl of the fresh fruits or veggies I just bought. 

What are your favourite Farmers Market products?

Fighting PMS

PMS usually means I'm met with cravings of sugary, fattening chocolate. I just couldn't do it (again). Chocolate doesn't fuel a running body, as much as I'd like to think it does. What's an alternate? Homemade guac and a big bowl of cherries. Chocolate cravings have completely disappeared and I feel much more satisfied.