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Week 2, Run 2

I hit the treadmill once again after work today. This run went better then the last few actually and I didn't feel like death afterwards so that's a plus.

Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 20:30
Time per mile: ~8:55 per mile

I walked an additional .2 miles at the highest incline at a 3.5 speed and then finished off with some weights.

I'm still undecided as to what to do with my training for a run that I won't be able to go to. I will keep up with the training as planned until I decide...

Week 1, Run 3 and more news...

This week I went on my Week 1 Run 3 which was my first long run of 2.5 miles. Ok so this distance isn't particularly longer then what I usually run, but on a treadmill I could feel/was aware of every step I took past mile 2. Once again, I can not wait until it is warm so I can run outside! I don't think I'll be able to do 3 miles on the treadmill for my next long run so I may have to brave the cold.

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 22:30
Time per mile: 9 minutes

In other news, I have some bad news regarding my 10K (but good news for my cousin!). I have a family baby shower that got scheduled for the same day as the race! Of course I will be attending the baby shower since that is more important then the run but I'm not sure what I am going to do with my training. I could finish my training plan and just not run the race, perhaps sign up for another race in the same general time, or move on to another exercise goal. Any suggestions?? I really am torn.

Martini Cake

This weekend was my dad's birthday and his favorite drink by far is a martini. We happened to have an over sized martini glass in our closet and I thought it would be fun to incorporate it into a birthday cake.

Since I wanted the base of the martini glass to be cake, I looked for a thinner cake that was still rich and flavorful. I decided on an Italian flourless chocolate cake. It basically tastes like a fudgy brownie. Sooo good!

Flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter cream and a martini glass filled with vodka jello.

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe: (From Italian Country Cooking by Loukie Werle)

1 stick unsalted butter

6 oz dark chocolate

1 cup sugar

5 eggs, separated

1 1/4 cup finely ground hazelnuts

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 9-10 inch spring form cake pan with parchment paper. Butter the paper and sides of pan.

Combine butter, chocolate and sugar in a heat proof bowl set over simmering water. Heat until butter and chocolate are melted. Stir until mixture is smooth and cool to room temperature.

Beat egg yolks into chocolate mixture, one by one, with wooden spoon until completely mixed. Add ground nuts.

Beat egg whites wtih salt until stiff peaks form. Fold into the chocolate mixture, 1/3 at a time, until no white steaks can be seen. Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until cake starts to shrink away from sides and top is firm. Cool on rack.               

             Mixture going into pan.                       

Cake out of the oven

Peanut Buttercream Icing Recipe:

9 tbs butter, softened

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

5 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Beat beat butter and peanut butter in bowl until mixed. Add milk and vanilla. After combined, add powder sugar and stir until spreadable.

Vodka Jello Recipe:

2 packages of melon jello

2 cups boiling water

1/2 cup cold water

1 1/2 cups vodka

Add boiling water to jello mix and stir until combined. Add cold water and vodka. Pour into martini glass and chill until firm in fridge (about 2-3 hours). Decoate with "olive" marshmallow. (Coat mashmallow in green food coloring. When dry, add one dot of red food coloring on each side.)

Week 1 Run 2

On Thursday I finished run 2 of week 1. I hit the treadmill and ran 2 miles in 18:13. As for my additional cardio, I stayed on the treadmill for an additional 5 minutes at the highest incline level to cover a .3 distance. I wish I was able to do more of the "additional cardio" but I forgot my ipod and the treadmill was sucking the life out of me. Next time I should opt for the bike or elliptical I guess.

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18:13
Time per mile: 9:06

I really can not wait until the weather warms up and I can do these runs outside. The treadmill has been really beating me down.

10K Training Week 1 Run 1

My first run of 10K training is done. It was only 1.5 miles but I'm glad it was short since I've been struggling to get to the gym in the past two weeks due to a new job and getting use to my new schedule. Since it was a short run, I tried to run work on my time by doing 1-2 minute sprints though out.

Miles: 1.5

Time: 13:14

Time Per Mile:  ~8:50

Afterwards I did some weights and leg and chess presses.

I got off work early but had to use the treadmill due to this:

And that's just after 2 hours of snow.. There is suppose to be more to come tonight. It's so pretty but I think I'm looking at the treadmill for the next few days. Boo.

Apricot Chicken

This recipe is easy to make and helps mix up "chicken dinner" night. I had some apricot jelly that I had left over from holiday cooking and decided to try to incorporate it into dinner. You can use this recipe with different jellies and cheeses. I'm sure it would be great with pepper jelly and pepper jack cheese, apple jelly and brie, etc.

Recipe:

2 chicken breasts

1 slice swiss cheese

4 tbs apricot jelly

Cayenne Pepper powder

Salt

Pepper

Pat chicken dry and then sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and cayenne powder. Cook in an oiled skillet over medium heat until chicken is cooked through. Top each chicken breast with jelly and half a slice of swiss. Remove from heat and put pan top on to hold in heat to melt the cheese. Serve when cheese has melted.

Jake has been trying to help out in the kitchen and committed to make a side to go along with our apricot chicken and salad. He tackled the Kraft Home Style Mac and Cheese kit :)

Pretty delicious. Can't go wrong with mac and cheese topped with toasted bread crumbs.

Chicken and Dumplings.. and the importance of first-year-o-marriage back ups

So this week I figured out I like the idea of chicken and dumplings way more then I liked the actual dish. I came across an interesting recipe on the Pink Parsley blog. It is a chicken and dumpling dish that uses Salsa Verde which adds a kick and herb cornmeal dumplings which adds more flavor.

It took about an hour to put together but I had been cold all day and had the motivation to make a super comforting food.

        Recipe found here.

The first few bites tasted awesome. It had a lot of flavor, spice, and was incredibly rich. However, it was way too heavy for Jake and I to eat as a meal. We had ate about 1/4 of our plate and agreed that the rest was going to have to go in the fridge for another time.

In came my first-year-o-marriage back up food. Since I like to try new recipes quite a bit, it is crucial I have back up food in case the recipe is a flop. Some of these back ups include hot pockets, chicken pot pies, skillet meals, and of course toasted PB&J.

I think I got way more compliments on my 3 minute PB&Js then the hour long chicken and dumplings with fresh cut herbs, but I'll take what I can get :)

Colorado!

Jake and I just got back from Colorado the other night. It was soo beautiful and fun.

We went to go visit these guys:

After they picked us up from the air port, we went to an awesome restaurant called The Sink in Boulder. I was seriously craving a post 4 hour flight beer. This beer was brewed just a few miles away from Boulder and hit the spot.

Appetizers of guacamole/brie/and bruschetta followed...

We then split the best pizza I have ever had. It had tomato, basil, artichokes, and tofu. I had to take a few bites before I took a picture..

The next day we went skiing near by at Eldora. The slopes are in the background. I was way too paranoid to bring my camera skiing so this will have to do.

On Saturday we were motivated to climb a mountain.

We made it to the top without any major falls or freak outs.

On our last full day we went into town to do some shopping and watch the Jets/Patriots game at a whiskey bar. I am more of a clear liquor type of person so I went with the French Mojito.

It was so tasty! It included strawberry, mint, lime, lavender simple syrup, vodka, and champagne. I might have to try to recreate this drink sometime soon..  

Lemon Pepper Chicken Home Made Crouton Salad and Fresh Bought Ravioli Ridiculousness

One of the things I will miss about my old job is its close location to Eastern Market. They have a large indoor market with all sorts of fresh and hand made foods. I particularly love the home made pasta section. Earlier this week I bought these little beauties:

Hand made cheese ravioli with pretty stripes.

I boiled them for about 3 minutes and they were done! Fresh pasta has so much more flavor then store bought pasta and cooks in about a third of the time. I try to buy it anytime I come across it.

I topped it with my home made marinara sauce and....

Yummmy ridiculousness!

I know Jake doesn't consider food a meal without a meat so I grilled up some easy lemon pepper chicken.

Recipe:

4 chicken strip cuts

Lemon pepper seasoning

2 tbs olive oil

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Remove chicken strips from package and pat dry. Season both sides with the lemon pepper seasoning. Cook for about 8 minutes flipping chicken half way through. Remove once chicken is fully cooked through. Makes 2 servings.

I topped mine with a raspberry walnut light dressing and Jake went with the light ranch. I forgot to buy croutons at the store so I thought I would give home made croutons a shot.

Recipe:

4 pieces of Healthy White or Wheat bread cut into bite sized cubes

2 tbs olive oil

1/2 tbs of salt

1/2 tbs of pepper

1/2 tbs of garlic powder

1 tbs dried parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss bread cubes with oil. Add seasoning and gently toss again. Arrange on tin foil lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until bread is golden brown. 

They turned out pretty good and definitely more healthy then store bought croutons. I might try adding Parmesan cheese next time as well.