Humble Pie

Hello Friends,

I'm learning to eat humble pie. It may not taste very good, but it's good for me in the long run. What do I mean? I'm glad you asked.

Humble pie slice #1:

Have you ever kicked yourself for not doing something - something that, for whatever reason, you just couldn't get it done. For me, it was finishing my degree. Ya. It's time to cut the excuses and get it done. It's a necessary step in the path to my whole life and who I want to be when I "grow up."  Here's the problem - I'm LITERALLY old enough to be the parent of most of the students in my classes. Things are definitely a lot different then when I tried this the first time. But I'm doing it - and I'll be better for it in the long run. So, for the time being, I'm booked Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Humble pie slice #2:

Realizing your physical limits. I may not be able to complete my running goal. Part of me says run through the pain and just get it done. But the smarter side realizes that a little competition shouldn't be the cause of permanent pain or injury. I've done the RICE (Rest Ice Compress Elevate) the best I can, in addition to plenty of stretching and rolling out at home.  I've seen my chiropractor and been adjusted to help with alignment issues that may be causing the problem. Still no dice. So, the next step is to find a Physical Therapist or an Orthopedic doc to take a look at me - possibly an MRI to determine what it is we're dealing with. 

Even though it's tough for me to admit that I won't be able to complete the goal I've set for myself, I'm not giving up completely. There are ALWAYS other races and there will of course be plenty of work outs between now and then (modified, possibly). I guess it's tough to admit that I'm no spring chicken and things don't heal quite as quickly as they once did.  But, with proper medical/chiropractic care, I'll find out what level of running I can expect to get back to (if any... :( ) and I'll be better for it in the long run.

So, I may have to focus on new goals, a new schedule, and enjoy my humble pie.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with my new schedule in the evenings, but mercifully my 5am workouts are on hiatus. So, I've been working out in blocks. Monday nights I start volleyball and will try to work in TRX and some cardio, Thursdays I've been knocking out 2 - 3 hours (circuits, TRX, and Spin), and then Saturday mornings the Mixed Bag workout plus circuits. I've snuck in some elliptical work on my non-lifting days just to keep moving, and of course Riley and Riggs get their walks.

I'm trying to keep the clean eating going - and I'm doing alright. I've enjoyed my share of indulgences, but for the most part, I've found some good recipes, lots of leftovers, and been good about steering clear of fast food.  Best of all, I'm feeling pretty good!

It's bound to be a busy fall and I'm ready for the challenges ahead!  I'm coming up on my "Whole Life Anniversary" - who knows what will come with that.  I guess we'll have to wait and see, no?

Until next time,
<3 Jen

Breakfast of champions - CLEAN PANCAKES!

Hello friends!

I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend. I am! It was a pretty good Sunday - a fasting day for me - and I decided to keep myself busy I'd try out a couple of recipes. Seems a little backwards since I can't actually eat them today, but they'll be ready for me to have in the morning, no muss, no fuss!

Actually, I started off the day with some stretching and elliptical training. My IT band is still dealing me fits and so finding alternative ways to get in my miles was my goal. I can feel that it's still sore, but I was able to get in a nice long session - and felt much better afterwards. I'll still be seeking some professional help (for my IT band, not 'cause I'm crazy!), and we'll see what they say. 

I also attended a 60th birthday get-together for my would-be-in-law, and as hard as it was, didn't eat lunch (which looked awesome) or cake (but I did bring some home!) Happy Birthday, Leonard!

Then, home for chores, reading and some writing. Then, I thought, I'm dying to get those pancakes made and try them out. I've got all the ingredients, let's do this! 

First up were Vanilla Chai Pancakes. This is a flour-free recipe, and just the thought of vanilla and chai together makes my heart warm.

Here's the recipe and how I modified it:

½ cup coconut flour ( I couldn't find coconut flour, so I tried almond flour and doubled it. I'm definitely going to go get the coconut though, I think they'll turn out fluffier!)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon stevia (I used agave nectar, about 1/2 tsp)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 chai tea bags
• Instructions:
  In a small saucepan, bring the milk to warm and add the tea bags. Keep warm or at a low simmer for 5 – 10 minutes. Squeeze out all the extra “juice” from the tea bags into the milk and discard.
  Sift the dry ingredients together in a small mixing bowl and set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the wet ingredients together.
  Add the coconut flour (or almond flour) mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
  Preheat the pancake griddle to medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray or coat with coconut oil. (I use olive oil)
  Ladle the batter onto the griddle and smooth them out with the back of a spatula. Cook on one side for 3 minutes, flip and continue cooking for another two.
  Transfer the cakes to a plate and keep warm in the oven while the others cook.
  Serve with a dollop of almond or pumpkin butter, sliced almonds and warm maple syrup. (I got some organic maple syrup - I'm so excited to have some!)
  Now, these turned out more like crepes than pancakes - the difference in flour is to blame. I'll be making a special trip to find coconut flour as every recipe I've read the reviews for says it's amazing.
  
  
  My second recipe was for Sweet Potato Pancakes. My first experience with these was at a breakfast restaurant across from the studio where I work out. they are so good, I just had to find a way to make them - clean - at home.
  Here's the recipe and how I modified it:
  Ingredients:
  3/4 pound of sweet potatoes (about 3 cups mashed)
  • 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 3 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups almond milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • (I also added ground cinnamon - about 1 1/2 tsp)
  • Instructions:
  • Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan of boiling water, and cook until tender but firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, and immediately immerse in cold water to loosen skins. Drain, remove skins, chop, and mash.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk and butter in a separate medium bowl. Blend sweet potato mixture into the flour mixture to form a batter.
  • Preheat a lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter mixture onto the prepared griddle by heaping tablespoonfuls, and cook until golden brown, turning once with a spatula when the surface begins to bubble.
  These turned out a lot more like your standard pancakes and smell AH.MA.ZING.  I've let them cool completely before putting them in an air-tight container and into the frig. I plan to pop them in the microwave in the morning, and drizzle with warm maple syrup and fresh sliced strawberries. 
  
  I hope you all enjoy these recipes - sometimes it's nice to have an alternative to the regular old breakfast grind. You know the saying "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper" - this is going to be a king-like breakfast tomorrow! 
  
  We have a fun Labor Day Circuit tomorrow at 9am, and I'm going to go in early to get in 45 minutes of spin. Then, grilling, chilling and hanging out. 
  Happy Labor Day!
  Until next time,
  <3 Jen