Green Power

I had a really good Friday night, last night, with my friend, Angie. We're both teachers. Both runners. So, we have an innate understanding with one another that when Friday comes what we both need is food and drink that will not only help us deal with the week we just had, but will also properly nourish our bodies for the long run we inevitably face on Saturday. This, of course, means loads of Mexican food.

I'm beginning to think that I run better a little hung over. My new theory is that if you feel bad going into the run, you'll feel better at the end of the run. Whereas, if you start a run feeling good, you have nowhere to go but down. So the fish tacos, chips and salsa, margarita, beer and tequila shot at Baja Betty's last night, not only made it so I had to leave my car in Hillcrest, but also gave me the proper fuel I needed to then run and get my car today. It's sort of like the reverse of having someone drop you off in the middle of nowhere and then having to run your way home. I'm just dropping my car off instead...the night before...

On a sort of unrelated topic, but not entirely...I created a (kind of good) recovery drink today after my run. If you're into macrobiotics (I think that's what it's called)-- AKA: getting your vitamins from fresh plants and whatnot, then you may be interested in this smoothie. It's very pretty before blending...but gets a little brown once it's all mixed together.


Ingredients:

1 frozen banana
1 T chocolate hemp protein mix (Trader Joe's)
1C almond milk (unsweetened vanilla)
1 handful frozen kale
1 handful frozen spinach
1 T chia seeds
1T maca powder
1/2 C blueberries (mine are pre-blended in the pic- leftover from a previous meal...)

Why drink a beer with pizza when you can have it IN pizza...

...because I like drinking beer that's why. So, I also have a bottle of it with my beer pizza.

I love carbs. Carbs carbs carbs. They are good before a run, with a little protein they are good after a run, they are good for bad days at work and for no reason at all. I don't usually crave pizza or care much for it one or the other. But every once in a while, I feel like making it... mostly because I like the recipe and the process of building it. So, today was one of those days.

This dough recipe, which I stole from my teacher friend, Patti, is delicious and not so bad on the waistline if made with whole wheat flour and light beer. (Though white flour does taste better.) I make a margherita pizza with it-- but any old topping will suffice.

Beer Pizza Dough:

3 1/2 C flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Add one 12 oz. beer (I like Michelob Ultra, Amstel Light or Corona)

Mix.
Roll out with lots of flour.
Optional: put a light dusting of corn meal on the baking tray before pressing the dough onto it.

For a crispier crust, bake the dough alone at 350 for 10 minutes. Then add toppings and place back in the oven until cheese is melted and golden brown.

For a softer crust, just add the toppings on top of the raw dough and place in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown and the crust is cooked through.


Toppings for my Margherita Pizza include (in this order): tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese*, chopped garlic, chopped basil leaves, sliced tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese on top. Mmmmmmmmm.

*Tonight I used a foursome of: gouda, provolone, cheddar and mozzarella.

As if brownies weren't good enough...try this...

I discovered a way to make the best brownies ever! (This isn't really a picture of mine...I just found it on the internet. I would have taken a picture of the ones I made, but they're gone already.....soooo, that's the picture you get.)

First, get your favorite boxed-brownie mix. It has to be one that calls for oil (I think they all do...but just in case your freakishly healthy brand doesn't...well...then you shouldn't be making brownies in the first place.)

The ingredients usually call for about 1/3 - 1/2 C oil, an egg or two, and some water. So, in my version, instead of using regular vegetable or canola oil, use a cooking spray. (Non-olive oil version of course!)

I know...it seems weird. And last night, I thought so too. But, I reached for it in my moment of desperation after I realized I had bought brownie mix and forgot that we were out of oil. My husband said, "That's just wrong," or something to that effect as I was spraying oil into a measuring cup. It's a bit messy...but here's the technique:

1. Tilt the measuring cup sideways so that the can will spray evenly.
2. Spray the cooking oil into the measuring cup until you're concerned it might start falling out of the cup.
3. Tilt the cup upright and use a spoon to stir the spray. It will be really fluffy, so you want to stir it down to about half its size. You may need to spray some more into the cup to get the amount called for in the recipe.
**Even after stirring it down, it will still be a little fluffy--but that's OK...I think that's the trick.

That's it! Just follow the rest of the directions according to the box and enjoy. Oh...also, I used an 8 x 8 pan. That may have been part of their success as well.

My husband has banned me from ever making them again because he ate 75% of the pan last night... ew. I, too, ate too much and gave myself a dessert stomachache. So be careful! But also enjoy.

Eggnog Pancakes (by the hubs)

This morning I woke up and found this note in the kitchen:

"Hey Baby Girl, I made enchiladas and tried to make eggnog pancakes but the pancakes kept burning. I saved a couple that look bad but taste okay. I love you! Have a great day!!"

Mind you, I went to bed at 11:00 PM last night...mmm hm. (My husband has trouble sleeping sometimes.) I was really happy to wake up to a pre-made breakfast I could pop in the toaster oven, and a lunch I could put in some tuperware and heat up at work later! Great way to start the day. Now I'll be honest, the pancakes were definitely burned; however, despite their charred appearance, they did taste really good.

Tonight, after we got a Target Christmas Tree,* I decided to mess with his recipe. I think I found the correct proportions so the eggnog won't burn before the pancakes are cooked. They're just as tasty and look good too. (Please note: Do not make if you don't like eggnog. DUH.)

The Hub's Eggnog Pancakes

2 C Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking & Pancake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 C nonfat milk
3/4 C low fat eggnog
1/4 t nutmeg

Be sure to cook on Medium-Low heat... patience is key.


*This is how I know my husband and I were meant for each other: we are both okay with walking into the garden section of Target, deciding how much we are willing to spend on a tree, and then deciding that every tree--no matter how misshapen--needs and deserves a home. Thus, there is nothing wrong with buying a tree before unbinding it. (I'm a big fan of underdogs.)

I have to say... this year's tree might have been a reject if we had looked at it before buying. However, I'm glad we didn't look because we are giving this (rather "holey") tree a good home. It will even be the center of attention at our Second Annual German Pickle Holiday Party. 'Tis the season to love the fuglies** too. Am I right?

** f'ing uglies

Tri-Athlete Chocolate Chunk Cookies (for everyone- even if you're not an athlete)

I got this recipe from a couple on the east coast who own a bakery/bike shop...I know! What a great combo, huh?! I made a few changes to their recipe to make them just a bit more healthy. This way, you don't have to feel guilty for eating them if you aren't into running 9 miles or biking 20...you get the idea.

TRI-ATHLETE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES (for everyone)

2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 C honey + 1/4 C 100% maple syrup + 5 Tbs table sugar
1/4 C + 2 Tbs brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 C unsulphured molasses
2 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Mix the above ingredients together--but don't cream too much.

In a separate bowl mix:
4 1/4 C flour (I use 2 C Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Baking and Pancake Mix + 2 1/2 regular flour)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1C dark chocolate chunks (buy 1 bar of good dark chocolate and cut it into pieces)
1/2 C of your favorite nuts (walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds)
1/2 C of your favorite dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, cranberries, etc.)
(Optional: add a dash of your favorite spice like Cinnamon or Allspice to give them a more holidayish flavor.)

Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix slowly.

Now...what makes these cookies so fantastic is their size! Each ball of dough you place on the cookie sheet should be about the size of your fist...yes...I'm talkin' big!

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. The are done when the bottom of the cookie is a dark, golden brown (check by lifting up an edge with a spatula).

This is the kind of treat you dream about when you're craving a cookie! A glass with an extra wide rim will be needed if you plan on dunking! Enjoy.


GUILT-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 C rolled oats
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C soft unsalted butter
1/4 C canola oil
1/3 C sugar (or honey or agave nectar)
1/3 C brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 C dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries

Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients (remember sugar is considered a wet ingredient). Then, add the the dry ingredients to the wet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.


PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH MAPLE FROSTING (Sooooo good!)

1 C Crisco shortening
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 C pumpkin (one small can is 1 cup)
1 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin spice (or cinnamon or all spice)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Maple Frosting:

In a saucepan combine:
1/2 C brown sugar
3 tsp butter
3 tsp milk

Bring it to a boil for 2 minutes, then turn off heat and add:
1 tsp maple (or vanilla) extract
1 C sifted powdered sugar

Drizzle over cool cookies.

7 am

This is early for me to run. It's not my usual "thing" to run early in the morning, but I woke up at 5 am, couldn't go back to sleep, and I figured why not? I read articles all the time about elite runners and their running schedules. They always suggest running early in the morning because,

1. It simulates race time. Races start early. Waking the body up at the same time as a race day gets it used to processing your pre-race foods of choice and gets the body accustomed to working hard at this (godawful) hour. (Yes, I consider 7 am to be too early on a Saturday- even when I'm in training and doing long runs. This reason is largely why I haven't signed up for a marathon since 2006. And, yes I know how I spelled godawful).

2. Instead of becoming tired after an early run, as some might suppose, working out early in the morning actually provides the body with more energy throughout the day and has shown to improve memory and brain activity. Workout for your brain...not just your bod.

3. Running at sunrise, while sometimes a bit eerie in the stillness, is quite beautiful and somewhat spiritual. As Elle says in Legally Blonde, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't commit murder." An important lesson. Especially if your day, like mine, consists of dealing with people who think they're God's-gift-to-you but in reality are NOT.

So. Even though it's not a race day, and under normal circumstances I have no real reason for being up this early on a Saturday, I will use this run as an experiment to see if I can start my day "happy." My husband should appreciate this.

POST-RUN EVALUATION (40 minutes later)

Back from my run-- a little 3 miler with lots of hills--and I do feel great. I'm relieved the run is out of the way for the day and that it won't be hanging over my head as something I need to do "later." Plus, I'm feeling clear-headed and inspired after seeing the world in its pre-awakened state of utter fogginess. Which brings me to the two items this morning's jog brought to my attention. The first is Weather. The second is Goal Setting. Let's start with Weather.

I broke Rule Number One every person (runner or non-runner) respects before leaving the house. Check the weather and dress accordingly. It doesn't have to be an indepth analysis of the weather involving barometer or astrological readings. A peek out the nearest window will provide the necessary information needed for choosing proper workout attire. I remembered this rule too late as it occured to me only after I stepped off the curb. I became soaking wet within half a mile because I wore cotton from head-to-foot. Any seasoned runner will advise you against wearing cotton no matter what the weather outside may be. (I just happen to have six loads of laundry to do; therefore, I turned to one of my many cheesy, 100% cotton, race t-shirts from the days before races started giving out the technical-t's.)

The following fog-running advice really only applies to coastal dwellers and Pacific Northwesters who experience this weather at extreme frequency year round and who probably know already how to deal with exercising in thick, sticky fog. But, for those of you who don't, or who haven't realized yet that there are ways to make your run more enjoyable (or less uncomfortable depending how you look at it), this is for you.

Fog will cling to you the same way sweat does, so avoid cotton. Instead, wear a fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin. I prefer the brand CoolMax for running shirts, spandex and even socks. And, if you get easily annoyed (as I do) by wet hair slapping you in the face, neck or back, bobby pins and headbands are your BFFs. Regardless of the fog density, sunblock should always be worn; however, I break this rule because I regard fog running as a time to "be free." Glare from the sun isn't a problem so... no hat, no sunglasses and no more sunblock than what is in my daily moisturizer. A minor way to feel free, but a freedom all the same.

The most important thing to remember when running in the fog is keeping an eye out for cars. Drivers have a hard enough time watching out for runners on a sunny day. A foggy day is even worse. I advise treating a Fog Run as if it's a Night Run. Defensive running is key. Bypass the ipod in order to prevent yourself from being distracted or unable to hear oncoming cars or bikes. Places to use extra caution include: crossing unprotected streets, passing by allies and driveways with tall hedges or fences that make it hard for drivers to see you coming. I've seen people who attach a blinking light to their upper arm. This may be a little extreme for a Fog Run, but a must if you decide to run at night. Also, I heard on the news recently that the Prius Hybrid is being called the SBD (Silent But Deadly...I know haha...but it's really not funny) because it makes no sound whatsoever at low speeds. If you live in an area, like I do, where people park their hybrid cars in the driveway (and keep the Hummer stowed safely in the garage), be especially vigilant. You will not be able to hear a Prius backing out of a driveway.

Now for Goal Setting. To Do Lists make me happy. At least while I'm making them I am. They give me a purpose for the day or week and get me thinking about the future (no matter how immediate that future may be). So my goals for this week include:

1. Add links to my blog that provide information about running in extreme weather conditions (hot/cold/foggy/rainy etc.) Also upload pics of Lake Murray...do some good for the greater running community.

2. Add "Canterbury Tales Classroom Pilgrimage Simulation" Lesson Plan to Teacher Exchange, then link it here as well...do some good for the greater teaching community.

3. Run two new sites this week and assess their "runability." And, complete one long run of seven miles or more.

4. Add links that provide basic running info about: the long run, tempo, pace, fartleks, strides, rest, cross-training and Gu/energy supply.

5. Do something nice for the husband.

There we go. You'll know if I've accomplished Goals 1-4 this week, and I'll keep you updated on #5...if you even care. Overall, I'm very happy with the after-effects of this morning's run.

To my fellow runners and teachers: Keep on truckin'. To everyone else: Do something for your mind or body today too, even if it's not exercise. Eat some omega 3-fatty acids or do a crossword puzzle

Up early and want a delicious fall/winter breakfast with "good carbs" for that morning run? These pancakes are a simple, delicious way to do so (Do I sound like Rachel Ray yet?). I make a whole batch then freeze 'em. In the morning I pop two in the toaster oven and they're perfection.


2 cups Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking and Pancake Mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tbs pumpkin spice (or cinnamon)


For added nutrients and digestive health, add 1-2 tbs of flax seeds. (I grind them in my coffee grinder so I don't end up with big black seeds in my teeth, and the body can absorb them better.)